Find out which banks are offering the best CD rates right now. If you’re looking for a secure place to store your savings, a certificate of deposit (CD) may be a great choice. These accounts often provide higher interest rates than traditional checking and savings accounts. However, CD rates can vary widely. Learn more about where CD rates stand today and how to find the best rates available. Banks with the best CD rates today CD rates are relatively high compared to historical averages. That said, CD r ...

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 the highest rate at 4.1% APY available from several institutions [2] - Notable offers include Marcus by Goldman Sachs (14-month CD), Sallie Mae (15-month CD), Synchrony (9-month CD), and LendingClub (8-month CD) [2] Group 2: Historical Context - CD rates were relatively high in the early 2000s but began to decline due to economic slowdowns and Federal Reserve rate cuts, with average one-year CDs at around 1% APY by 2009 [3][4] - The trend of falling rates continued into the 2010s, with average rates for 6-month CDs dropping to about 0.1% APY by 2013 [4] - A slight recovery in CD rates occurred between 2015 and 2018 as the Fed gradually increased rates, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to emergency rate cuts, causing new record lows [5] Group 3: Recent Developments - Following the pandemic, inflation prompted the Fed to hike rates 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023, resulting in higher APYs on savings products, including CDs [6] - As of September 2024, the Fed has started cutting the federal funds rate, leading to a decrease in CD rates from their peak, although they remain high by historical standards [7] Group 4: Understanding CD Rates - Traditionally, longer-term CDs offer higher interest rates, but currently, the highest average rate is for a 12-month term, indicating a flattening or inversion of the yield curve [8] - Factors to consider when choosing a CD include goals for locking away funds, type of financial institution, account terms, and inflation [9]

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][2] Group 1: Current CD Rates - The best short-term CDs (six to 12 months) currently offer rates around 4% to 4.5% APY, with the highest rate at 4.1% APY available from Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Sallie Mae Bank, and Synchrony Bank [2] - Historical trends show that CD rates were significantly higher in the early 2000s but fell to around 1% APY for one-year CDs by 2009 due to economic slowdowns and Federal Reserve rate cuts [3][4] Group 2: Historical Context - The trend of falling CD rates continued into the 2010s, with average rates dropping to about 0.1% APY for 6-month CDs and 0.8% APY for 5-year CDs by 2013 [4] - A slight improvement in CD rates occurred between 2015 and 2018 as the Federal Reserve began gradually increasing rates, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to emergency rate cuts, causing new record lows [5] Group 3: Recent Developments - Following the pandemic, inflation prompted the Federal Reserve to hike rates 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023, resulting in higher APYs on savings products, including CDs [6] - As of September 2024, the Federal Reserve started cutting the federal funds rate, leading to a decrease in CD rates from their peak, although they remain high by historical standards [7] Group 4: Understanding CD Rates - 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 [8] - 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 [9]

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve has cut its federal funds rate three times in 2024 and announced its first 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 around one year or less, with online banks and credit unions leading in offering competitive rates [2] CD Rates Overview - As of September 27, 2025, the highest CD rate available is 4.45% APY from LendingClub for an 8-month CD [2] - The 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 [2] Interest Earnings Examples - An investment of $1,000 in a one-year CD at 1.70% APY with monthly compounding results in a total balance of $1,017.13 after one year, yielding $17.13 in interest [3] - Conversely, a one-year CD at 4% APY would grow the same $1,000 investment to $1,040.74, resulting in $40.74 in interest [3] Deposit Impact on Earnings - Increasing the deposit amount in a CD significantly enhances potential earnings; for instance, a $10,000 deposit in a one-year CD at 4% APY would yield a total balance of $10,407.42, translating to $407.42 in interest [4] Types of CDs - Various types of CDs offer different benefits, which may include: - **Bump-up CD**: Allows for a one-time request to increase the interest rate if the bank's rates rise during the term [4] - **No-penalty CD**: Provides the option to withdraw funds before maturity without incurring penalties [4] - **Jumbo CD**: Requires a higher minimum deposit (typically $100,000 or more) and often offers higher interest rates, though the difference may be minimal in the current environment [4] - **Brokered CD**: Purchased through a brokerage, potentially offering higher rates or flexible terms, but may carry more risk and lack FDIC insurance [4]