Best CD rates today, December 24, 2025: Lock in up to 4% APY

Core Insights - Deposit account rates are declining, but competitive returns on certificates of deposit (CDs) can still be locked in, with the best CDs offering rates above 4% [1] Group 1: Current CD Rates - The best short-term CDs (six to 12 months) currently offer rates around 4% to 4.5% APY, with Marcus by Goldman Sachs offering the highest rate of 4% APY on its 1-year CD [2] - Historical trends show that average one-year CD rates were around 1% APY by 2009, following the financial crisis, with five-year CDs yielding less than 2% APY [2] - The trend of falling CD rates continued into the 2010s, with average rates on 6-month CDs dropping to about 0.1% APY by 2013 [3] Group 2: Economic Influences on CD Rates - The Federal Reserve's policies, particularly the decision to keep benchmark interest rates near zero, led to very low CD rates during the 2010s [3] - Between 2015 and 2018, the Fed's gradual rate increases resulted in a slight improvement in CD rates, marking the end of nearly a decade of ultra-low rates [4] - Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fed hiked rates 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023, leading to higher APYs on savings products, including CDs [5] Group 3: Future Trends and Considerations - As of September 2024, the Fed began cutting the federal funds rate, resulting in a steady decline in CD rates from their peak, although they remain high by historical standards [6] - Traditionally, longer-term CDs offer higher interest rates, but currently, the highest average CD rate is for a 12-month term, indicating a flattening or inversion of the yield curve [7] - When choosing a CD, factors such as goals, type of financial institution, account terms, and inflation should be considered to ensure the best fit for individual needs [8]