Latest news with #certificatesofdeposit
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
CD Rates Today: July 9, 2025
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Today's highest CD rate is 4.94% for a jumbo 6-month CD. CD rates from online banks are commonly twice as high as the national average rates. CD ladders let you leverage high rates without locking up all of your money long-term. The best interest rates on CDs—certificates of deposit—pay up to 4.94% today, based on certificate term lengths. Here's an overview of how CD rates are changing, followed by a guide to the current top CD rates across different terms. A CD is a particular type of savings account that pays a fixed interest rate for a set period of time. The benefit is that you'll typically receive a better yield than what you could find from a high-yield savings account. The drawback is that you can't touch the money before the CD matures without paying a withdrawal penalty. For instance, you could lose an entire year's worth of interest if you withdraw funds from a five-year CD before it reaches maturity. Three-month CDs are a good option for short-term savings goals. The current average rate on a three-month CD sits at 1.3%, but the highest rate is 4.62%. The average rate is unchanged from a week ago. A six-month CD offers a nice blend of high yields and short-term time commitment, and the highest yield you can find is 4.94%, about the same as last week. The current average APR for a six-month CD is 1.77%. The highest interest rate currently available on a 12-month CD—one of the most popular CD terms—is 4.64%. If you land a rate in that vicinity, you're getting a good deal. That rate hasn't changed much since last week. The average APY, or annual percentage yield, on a one-year CD is now 1.84%, up from 1.82% a week ago. If you can hold out for two years, 24-month CDs today are being offered at interest rates as high as 4.52%. That's the same as this time last week. The average APY for the CD is 1.65%, flat to last week's average. Today, the highest rate on a three-year CD stands at 4.26%, so you'll want to shop around for that rate or something near it. The average APY is 1.57%. The highest rate available today for a five-year CD is 4.26%. The average APY is 1.58%, similar to last week. If you opt for a five-year CD, make sure you're aware of the early withdrawal penalty. It's not unusual to lose one full year's worth of interest or more if you break open a five-year CD before it matures. The best rate today on jumbo CDs is 4.94% for a 6-month term. As with non-jumbo, various term lengths are available. The average APY for the 6-month CD is currently 1.82%, versus 1.81% last week. Most jumbo CDs require a minimum deposit of $100,000—and some even require $250,000. However, there's no universally agreed-upon definition regarding what qualifies as a "jumbo" CD. Some banks and credit unions slap the label "jumbo" on CDs you can open with $50,000, $25,000 or even less. Related: CD Interest Rates Forecast: How Good Will They Get? CD rates are rarely the same between any two banks, so you should comparison shop when looking for a new account. You may decide to stick with your current bank because it's convenient or join a new bank to take advantage of higher rates. To find the right CD, look at the specific term you're interested in with a few different banks. Traditional, brick-and-mortar banks tend to offer lower CD rates, in general, than online banks without any branches. For example: Other top CD rates by banks include: CDs are a relatively simple savings tool: You open an account with a deposit (your principal), let your money sit for a predetermined period of months or years while you enjoy the magic of compounding interest . Many CDs (as well as share certificates offered by credit unions) require a minimum deposit (typically less than $10,000 unless it's a jumbo CD) to open your account. Some financial institutions allow you to fund an account with as little as a penny. But banks and credit unions typically won't allow you to add to your deposit once the term begins and the clock starts ticking. And they're serious about not letting you crack open your CD or share certificate too soon. Early withdrawal penalties can be so tough that they'll eat into your principal, not just take back some of your interest. CDs typically pay higher interest than other savings vehicles, even the best high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts . And while they may not offer the kind of enviable returns that are possible with stocks, CDs beat the more attention-getting investments in one regard: They're one of the safest places to put your money. Investors lost millions in the 2022 crypto crash, and putting your money into the stock market, real estate or gold and other commodities can be risky, too. But when you buy a certificate of deposit or credit union share certificate from a federally insured financial institution, you can sleep easily with the knowledge that your investment is protected. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. provides you with up to $250,000 in coverage in the event the bank issuing your CD ever fails. For share certificates purchased from federal credit unions and most state-chartered credit unions, the National Credit Union Administration insures your money up to the same limit. Traditional brick-and-mortar banks have far greater operating expenses than banks that only exist online. That's why online banks are usually able to offer more attractive APYs on CDs – they have lower overhead costs, so they can afford to pay higher interest rates to customers. Related: CD Interest Rates Forecast: How Good Will They Get? Curinos determines the average rates for certificates of deposit (CDs) by focusing on specific CDs and excluding others. Certain types, such as promotional offers, relationship-based rates, private, youth, senior, student/minor, affinity, bump-up, no-penalty, callable, variable, step-up, auto transfer, club, gifts, grandfathered, internet-only and IRA CDs are not considered in the calculation. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) You build a CD ladder by saving your money in multiple CDs with cascading term lengths. For instance, you might buy a one-year CD, a two-year CD, a three-year CD, a four-year CD and a five-year CD. As each of the shorter-term CDs matures, you replace it with a new five-year CD. Follow this plan and you'll have one better-yielding five-year CD maturing each year. If you're ever having a bad year, you could take some of the cash from the expiring CD and use it to pay bills instead of pouring it all into a fresh CD. Comparison shop to track down the best CD rates . Banks and credit unions compete by offering alluring yields to land your business, so shopping around is a must before you purchase any bank CD or credit union share certificate. CDs usually come with zero fees, meaning your money won't be nibbled at by the monthly maintenance fees that are typical with many savings, checking and money market accounts. You will likely be charged an early withdrawal penalty if you end your CD term early. Make sure you won't need access to your cash in the meantime.
Forbes
27-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
CD Rates Today: June 27, 2025 - Take Home Up To 4.94%
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Today's highest CD rate is 4.94% for a jumbo 6-month CD. CD rates from online banks are commonly twice as high as the national average rates. CD ladders let you leverage high rates without locking up all of your money long-term. The best interest rates on CDs—certificates of deposit—range as high as 4.94% today, which is far higher than CD rates were a few years ago. Here's an overview of the best CD rates for you. A CD is a kind of savings account with a fixed interest rate for a given term. You can access your principal and interest payments once the CD term expires; if you withdraw money before that time, you'll incur an early withdrawal penalty . Traditionally, the longer a CD term, the higher the yield, but that dynamic hasn't held in recent years. Make sure you select a CD that matches up with when you'll need the money. Three-month CDs are a good option for short-term savings goals. The current average rate on a three-month CD sits at 1.29%, but the highest rate is 4.62%. Last week, three-month CDs earned an average of 1.3%. If you're interested in a short-term CD with high yields, consider a six-month CD . The best rate today is 4.94%. The current average APR for a six-month CD is 1.76%, down 0.01 point from last week. The highest interest rate currently available on a 12-month CD—one of the most popular CD terms—is 4.64%. If you discover a rate in that neighborhood, you've found a good deal. That rate hasn't changed much since last week. The average APY, or annual percentage yield, on a one-year CD is now 1.83%, unchanged from a week ago. If you can hold out for two years, 24-month CDs today are being offered at interest rates as high as 4.52%. That's the same as this time last week. The average APY for the CD is 1.66%, flat to last week's average. Today's highest rate on a three-year CD is 4.26%, so you'll want to shop around for that rate or something near it. The average APY stands at 1.58%. On a five-year CD , the highest rate today is 4.26%. APYs are averaging 1.59%, similar to last week. The longer the term, the higher the early withdrawal penalty. It's not unusual to lose one full year's worth of interest or more if you break open a five-year CD early. Be absolutely certain you understand the penalty before you make your investment. The best rate today on jumbo CDs is 4.94% for a 6-month term. As with non-jumbo, various term lengths are available. The average APY for the 6-month CD is currently 1.81%, versus 1.82% last week. Most jumbo CDs require a minimum deposit of $100,000—and some even require $250,000. However, there's no universally agreed-upon definition regarding what qualifies as a "jumbo" CD. Some banks and credit unions slap the label "jumbo" on CDs you can open with $50,000, $25,000 or even less. Related: CD Interest Rates Forecast: How Good Will They Get? When looking for the best CD rates, cast a wide net. Study the offerings from traditional banks, credit unions and digital firms. You may be surprised that a credit union you've never heard of provides the highest yields. For example, PenFed Credit Union's CD rates currently range from 2.90% to 3.40% while U.S. Bank CD rates currently range from 0.05% to 0.25%. Other top CD rates by banks include: Opening a CD account requires a lump-sum deposit, which you can also think of as an investment. Many CDs and share certificates (the credit union equivalent of CDs) have minimum deposit requirements, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Once your account is open, your principal starts earning the fixed interest rate for the entirety of the term. Banks and credit unions generally send you paper or electronic statements displaying how much interest you've earned. Since the goal is to let your money grow, avoid tapping your cash before the term expires. Doing so will result in an early withdrawal penalty in the form of interest earned. In rare cases, you may also lose a percentage of your principal to early withdrawal penalties. If you want the best interest rate on your savings, CDs are usually your best bet, outpacing even the best high-yield savings accounts and best money market accounts . You will have to do without the money for as long as the term lasts; otherwise you'll owe an early withdrawal penalty. Even still, you may not be that impressed since potential investments, such as stocks, tend to outperform CDs over the long haul. Why settle? The issue is that stocks, and even bonds, are much more volatile than CDs. Stocks crashed nearly 20% in 2022, while bonds dropped 13%. Imagine a fifth of your savings going "poof" over the course of a year. Not a happy thought, is it? CDs and stocks perform different roles in your overall financial plan. CDs are a depot for a portion of your savings you don't need immediately, while stocks provide solid long-term returns. You don't want to risk cash you're depending on. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. provides you with up to $250,000 in coverage in the event the bank issuing your CD ever fails. For share certificates purchased from federal credit unions and most state-chartered credit unions, the National Credit Union Administration insures your money up to the same limit. CD rates generally fluctuate the most following the Federal Reserve's decisions to raise, lower or maintain the federal funds rate. The federal funds rate is the rate at which banks lend money to each other overnight. The Fed makes decisions about the funds rate eight times per year when the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets. Related: CD Interest Rates Forecast: How Good Will They Get? Curinos determines the average rates for certificates of deposit (CDs) by focusing on specific CDs and excluding others. Certain types, such as promotional offers, relationship-based rates, private, youth, senior, student/minor, affinity, bump-up, no-penalty, callable, variable, step-up, auto transfer, club, gifts, grandfathered, internet-only and IRA CDs are not considered in the calculation. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) You build a CD ladder by saving your money in multiple CDs with cascading term lengths. For instance, you might buy a one-year CD, a two-year CD, a three-year CD, a four-year CD and a five-year CD. As each of the shorter-term CDs matures, you replace it with a new five-year CD. Follow this plan and you'll have one better-yielding five-year CD maturing each year. If you're ever having a bad year, you could take some of the cash from the expiring CD and use it to pay bills instead of pouring it all into a fresh CD. Comparison shop to track down the best CD rates . Banks and credit unions compete by offering alluring yields to land your business, so shopping around is a must before you purchase any bank CD or credit union share certificate. CDs usually come with zero fees, meaning your money won't be nibbled at by the monthly maintenance fees that are typical with many savings, checking and money market accounts. You will likely be charged an early withdrawal penalty if you end your CD term early. Make sure you won't need access to your cash in the meantime.
