Core Insights - Current CD rates are declining due to the Federal Reserve's decision to cut its benchmark rate three times in late 2024 and a recent cut this month, although some banks still offer competitive rates reaching about 4% APY for shorter terms [2] Group 1: CD Rates Overview - The highest CD rate as of December 19, 2025, is 4.1% APY, offered by Sallie Mae Bank on a 15-month CD and LendingClub Bank on an 8-month CD [3] - National averages for CD rates are significantly lower than the top rates available, emphasizing the need for consumers to shop around for the best options [3] Group 2: Online Banks and Credit Unions - Online banks and neobanks typically offer the best CD rates due to lower overhead costs, allowing them to provide higher interest rates and lower fees [4] - Credit unions also offer competitive CD rates as not-for-profit financial cooperatives return profits to their members, although some have strict membership requirements [5] Group 3: Considerations for Opening a CD - CDs are a safe and stable savings vehicle, backed by federal insurance, allowing customers to lock in current rates [6] - However, early withdrawal penalties apply if funds are accessed before the term ends, and for those seeking flexible access, high-yield savings or money market accounts may be preferable [7] - While current CD rates are high by historical standards, they may not provide sufficient growth for long-term savings goals compared to market investments [8]

Core Insights - CD rates are currently higher than historical averages, with the best rates reaching 4.1% APY offered by several banks [2][3] - The Federal Reserve has been cutting its target rate, leading to a decline in CD rates since last year [2][4] - Financial institutions are expected to follow the Fed's rate cuts, which may present a good opportunity to lock in current CD rates [5] CD Rates Overview - The highest CD rates available today are 4.1% APY from Sallie Mae Bank (15-month CD), Synchrony Bank (9-month CD), and LendingClub Bank (8-month CD) [2] - CD rates have been declining due to the Federal Reserve's actions, which included three rate cuts in late 2024 [3][4] Federal Reserve Impact - The Federal Reserve's recent rate cuts are correlated with deposit interest rates, influencing the trend of CD rates [5] - Additional rate cuts may occur in 2026, but the timing and extent remain uncertain [4] Opening a CD - The process for opening a CD includes researching rates, choosing an account that meets financial needs, preparing necessary documents, completing the application, and funding the account [6] - It is important to consider the CD's term length and minimum deposit requirements to avoid penalties for early withdrawal [6]

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve has cut its federal funds rate three times in 2024 and announced a third rate cut for 2025, indicating a potential decline in competitive CD rates in the near future [1] - The highest CD rate currently available is 4.25% APY offered by United Fidelity Bank on a 2-year CD as of December 13, 2025 [3] CD Rates Overview - Best CD rates are generally found on shorter terms of around one year or less, with online banks and credit unions leading in competitive rates [3] - The amount of interest earned from a CD is determined by the annual percentage rate (APY), which reflects total earnings after one year, factoring in the base interest rate and compounding frequency [3] Interest Earnings Examples - An investment of $1,000 in a one-year CD at 1.70% APY would yield a total balance of $1,017.13, including $17.13 in interest [4] - Conversely, a one-year CD at 4% APY would grow the balance to $1,040.74, resulting in $40.74 in interest [4] - A deposit of $10,000 in a one-year CD at 4% APY would result in a total balance of $10,407.42, earning $407.42 in interest [5] Types of CDs - Bump-up CDs allow for a one-time request to increase the interest rate if the bank's rates rise during the term [5] - No-penalty CDs permit early withdrawal without penalties, providing more liquidity [5] - Jumbo CDs require higher minimum deposits (typically $100,000 or more) and may offer higher interest rates, though the difference from traditional CDs may be minimal in the current environment [5] - Brokered CDs are purchased through a brokerage and may offer higher rates or flexible terms, but they carry additional risks and may not be FDIC-insured [5]

Find out how much you could earn by locking in a high CD rate today. The Federal Reserve cut its federal funds rate three times in 2024, and it recently announced its second rate cut of 2025, so now could be your last chance to lock in a competitive CD rate before rates fall further. CD rates vary widely across financial institutions, so it’s important to ensure you’re getting the best rate possible when shopping around for a CD. The following is a breakdown of CD rates today and where to find the best of ...

Interest Rate Expectations - The likelihood of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut has changed, indicating potential future movements in savings and CD rates [1] - The report provides guidance on how to monitor interest rate expectations effectively [1]

Core Insights - CD rates are currently declining due to the Federal Reserve's decision to cut its benchmark rate three times in late 2024 and again in October 2025, although some banks still offer competitive rates reaching about 4% APY for shorter terms [2][3] Group 1: Current CD Rates - The highest CD rate as of November 28, 2025, is 4.1% APY, offered by Marcus by Goldman Sachs on a 14-month CD and Sallie Mae on a 15-month CD [3] - National averages for CD rates are significantly lower than the top rates available, emphasizing the need for consumers to shop around [3] Group 2: Online Banks and Credit Unions - Online banks and neobanks typically offer the best CD rates due to lower overhead costs, allowing them to provide higher interest rates and lower fees [4] - Credit unions also offer competitive CD rates as not-for-profit financial cooperatives return profits to their members, although membership requirements may vary [5] Group 3: Considerations for Opening a CD - CDs are considered a safe and stable savings vehicle, backed by federal insurance, and allow consumers to lock in current rates [6] - However, early withdrawal penalties apply if funds are accessed before the term ends, and for those seeking flexible access, high-yield savings or money market accounts may be preferable [7] - While current CD rates are high by historical standards, they may not provide sufficient growth for long-term savings goals compared to market investments [8]

Core Insights - CD rates are currently higher than historical averages, with some institutions offering rates of 4% APY and above, particularly online banks [2][5] - The highest CD rate as of November 27, 2025, is 4.1% APY, available from Marcus by Goldman Sachs and Sallie Mae [2] - The Federal Reserve has been cutting its target rate, which has led to a decline in CD rates since last year [2][4] CD Rate Trends - CD rates have been on a downward trend since the Federal Reserve began reducing the federal funds rate in late 2024, cutting it by a total of one percentage point [3] - The Fed's recent rate cuts in October 2025 may lead to further reductions in CD rates, although the timing and extent of future cuts remain uncertain [4] Opening a CD - The process for opening a CD account includes researching competitive rates, choosing an account that meets financial needs, preparing necessary documents, completing the application, and funding the account [6] - It is important to consider the CD's term length and minimum deposit requirements to avoid early withdrawal penalties [6]

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve has reduced its target interest rate three times in 2024 and has announced a second rate cut for 2025, impacting deposit account rates and presenting a potential opportunity for locking in high certificate of deposit (CD) rates [1] Group 1: Current CD Rates - As of November 24, 2025, the highest CD rate available is 4.1% APY, offered by Marcus by Goldman Sachs for a 14-month CD and Sallie Mae for a 15-month CD [2] - Today's average CD rates are among the highest seen in nearly two decades, largely due to the Federal Reserve's actions to combat inflation by maintaining elevated interest rates [3] Group 2: National Average CD Rates - The highest national average interest rate for CDs is 1.68% for a 1-year term, significantly lower than the best available rates [3] - Online banks and credit unions typically offer more competitive rates compared to traditional banks, making them a better option for consumers seeking higher returns [3] Group 3: Finding the Best CD Rates - It is advisable for consumers to shop around and compare CD rates from various financial institutions to find the best options [4] - Online banks often provide higher interest rates on CDs due to lower overhead costs, making them a preferred choice for consumers [4] - Consumers should check minimum deposit requirements and review account terms, including early withdrawal penalties and auto-renewal policies, to ensure they select a CD that aligns with their financial goals [4]

Core Insights - Today's CD rates are significantly higher than the national average, influenced by the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cuts [1][3] - The highest CD rate currently available is 4.1% APY, offered by several institutions for various term lengths [2] - The national average CD rate for a 1-year term is 1.68%, indicating that current rates are among the highest seen in nearly two decades [3] Best CD Rates - As of November 17, 2025, the top CD rate is 4.1% APY from Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Sallie Mae, and Synchrony for different term lengths [2] - Online banks and credit unions typically provide more competitive rates compared to traditional banks [3] Finding the Best CD Rates - It is advisable to shop around and compare CD rates from various financial institutions to find the best options [4] - Online banks often have lower overhead costs, allowing them to offer higher interest rates on CDs [4] - Potential investors should check minimum deposit requirements and review account terms, including early withdrawal penalties and auto-renewal policies [4]

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve has cut its federal funds rate three times in 2024 and announced a second rate cut for 2025, indicating a potential decline in competitive CD rates in the near future [1] - The best CD rates are currently found in shorter terms, particularly from online banks and credit unions, with the highest rate at 4.1% APY as of November 15, 2025 [3] CD Rates Overview - The highest CD rates are available for terms around one year or less, with notable offers from Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Sallie Mae, and Synchrony [3] - The amount of interest earned from a CD is determined by the annual percentage rate (APY), which reflects total earnings after one year, factoring in compounding [3] Interest Earnings Examples - An investment of $1,000 in a one-year CD at 1.70% APY would yield a total of $1,017.13 after one year, while a 4% APY would result in $1,040.74 [4] - Increasing the deposit to $10,000 in a one-year CD at 4% APY would result in a total balance of $10,407.42, earning $407.42 in interest [5] Types of CDs - Various types of CDs offer different benefits, including Bump-up CDs, No-penalty CDs, Jumbo CDs, and Brokered CDs, each with unique features and potential trade-offs in interest rates [5]