Best CD rates

The best place to get a high CD (certificate of deposit) rate is usually an FDIC-insured online bank or a federally insured credit union. Online banks often offer competitive rates because they have lower operating costs than traditional banks.

The best CD depends on how long you can leave your money untouched — 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or longer — and whether you might need to withdraw it early.

Here’s where I’d start looking.

Best CD rates to check right now

As of October 20, 2026, these are strong options from Bankrate’s current comparison. Rates can change, so confirm the offer before opening an account. Bankrate Bankrate

Rates and minimums are based on published comparison listings; not every rate applies to every term. Bankrate Bankrate

You can compare more offers here:

• Bankrate — Best CD rates
• NerdWallet — Best CD rates
• DepositAccounts — CD rate comparisons

How to choose the right CD

• Highest rate: Compare APYs for the exact same term, not just the advertised maximum.
• Short-term savings: Consider 3- or 6-month CDs if you want access to your money sooner.
• Long-term savings: Compare 1- to 3-year CDs to lock in a rate for longer.
• Safety: Verify that the bank is FDIC-insured or the credit union is federally insured by the NCUA, generally up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category.
• Flexibility: Check early withdrawal penalties. If you might need the money unexpectedly, a high-yield savings account may be a better fit.

Let’s narrow down the best rate for you

How much do you want to deposit?

$1,000–$9,999

$10,000–$49,999

$50,000–$99,999

$100,000 or more

How long can you leave the money untouched?

3–6 months

1 year

2–3 years

5 years

Not sure — I want flexibility

What matters most?

The highest possible interest rate

No minimum deposit

No early withdrawal penalty

An established, well-known bank

[Find my best CD options]

Top national certificate of deposit (CD) rates reach up to 5.00% APY , with strong nationwide options generally hovering between 4.65% and 4.85% APY . Bankrate Investopedia

Highest Nationally Available CD Rates

Nuvision Credit Union:5.00% APY (7-month term, $1,000 minimum deposit) Investopedia

Quorum Federal Credit Union:5.00% APY (48- or 60-month term, $100 minimum deposit) Investopedia

Popular Direct:5.00% APY (60-month term, $10,000 minimum deposit; 4.95% APY on 48-month) Investopedia

Bread Savings:4.85% APY (18-month term, $1,500 minimum deposit) Investopedia

E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley:4.75% APY (12-month term, $0 minimum deposit) Bankrate Bankrate

• Barclays:4.75% APY (24-month term, $0 minimum deposit) Investopedia

Best Rates by Term (Nationwide)

Short-Term (6 to 12 months):E*TRADE offers 4.75% APY on a 12-month CD with no minimum deposit. Bankrate Bankrate

Mid-Term (18 to 24 months):Bread Savings offers 4.85% APY on an 18-month CD ($1,500 minimum), and Barclays offers 4.75% APY on a 24-month CD ($0 minimum). Investopedia

Long-Term (36 to 60+ months):Quorum Federal Credit Union and Popular Direct both top out at 5.00% APY for longer commitments. Investopedia

What to Consider Before Opening

Minimum Deposits: Some top providers require as little as $0 to $100 (such as E*TRADE or Quorum FCU), while others like Popular Direct require $10,000.

Early Withdrawal Penalties: Most banks charge between 3 months and 12+ months of interest if you cash out before the maturity date.

Federal Reserve Trends: CD rates have trended downward following past Federal Reserve rate cuts, meaning locking in a rate now can protect you if yields continue to fall. Bankrate

You can check and compare live offers directly through financial platforms like Bankrate CD Rates or Investopedia CD Rates.

To find the best option for you, tell me:

How much money you want to deposit

How long you can keep the funds locked away

I can narrow down the best bank or credit union for your exact amount and timeline.

Finding the best Certificate of Deposit (CD) rates requires looking beyond traditional brick-and-mortar banks, which typically offer very low yields (often around 0.01% to 0.10% APY). Instead, online banks, credit unions, and brokerage platforms consistently offer the highest returns.

Top-tier CD rates hover around 4.00% to 5.00% APY, depending heavily on the term length.

Where to Find the Best CD Rates

1. Online Banks & Direct Banks
   • Institutions like Bread Savings, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Capital One, and Popular Direct don't have physical branches, allowing them to pass those savings on to customers through higher yields.
   • Many online banks offer yields ranging from 4.30% to 5.00% APY on short-to-medium-term CDs (e.g., 3-month to 1-year terms).
2. Credit Unions
   • Credit unions are member-owned, non-profit institutions that often provide very competitive promotional rates. For example, institutions like Quorum Federal Credit Union feature top-tier rates reaching up to 5.00% APY. You may just need to meet a basic membership requirement (often easily fulfilled by joining a partner non-profit or living/working in a certain area).
3. Brokerage Platforms (Brokered CDs)
   • If you already use a brokerage account like ETRADE, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard, you can purchase "brokered CDs" issued by various nationwide banks directly through your platform.
   • These platforms currently feature rates up to 4.75% to 4.80% APY on terms like 6 to 12 months, and they make it easy to hold multiple CDs from different institutions under one login while maintaining FDIC insurance.

Current Market Overview (As of October 2026)

• Short-Term CDs (3 to 6 Months): Generally offering strong yields up to 4.20% – 5.00% APY as institutions compete for liquidity.
• 1-Year CDs: Widely available around 4.40% – 4.75% APY from competitive online banks and brokerages.
• Long-Term CDs (2 to 5 Years): Rates tend to adjust downward or level off as markets anticipate future interest rate shifts, generally tracking in the 4.00% – 4.50% APY range.

Tips Before You Lock In a Rate

• Watch out for minimum deposits: Some institutions require as little as $0 to $100, while others require $2,500 or even $10,000 to unlock their best promotional rates. Bankrate
• Ensure FDIC/NCUA Insurance: Always double-check that the institution is backed by the FDIC (for banks) or NCUA (for credit unions) so your deposits are protected up to $250,000 per depositor.
• Consider a CD Ladder: If you aren't sure how long you want to lock up your cash, consider splitting your investment across multiple terms (e.g., 3-month, 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year CDs) so that a portion of your money regularly becomes accessible.

Are you looking to invest a specific amount of money, or do you have a preferred term length (like 6 months vs. 1 year) in mind?

Online banks and credit unions often offer better CD rates than brick-and-mortar banks. As of October 20, 2026, Bankrate reports Popular Direct offers a top rate of 5.00% APY; compare rates by term and check minimum deposits and early-withdrawal penalties before opening an account.bankrate.cominvestopedia.com

The best CD (certificate of deposit) rates right now are in the 4.50%–5.00% APY range for most terms, according to data verified as of mid-October 2026. These are among the highest available nationwide from FDIC-insured banks or NCUA-insured credit unions, though rates can change daily and are typically higher for shorter terms. Longer terms (2–5+ years) offer lower rates but more stability if you want to lock in money for extended periods. www.investopedia.com

CDs are fixed-rate savings products where you commit funds for a set term (e.g., 6 months to 10 years). You earn a guaranteed APY, with an early withdrawal penalty (often 3–6+ months of interest) if needed. They’re safer than stocks or bonds but less flexible than high-yield savings accounts.

Top Current Rates (Nationwide, As of Mid-October 2026)

These stand out from aggregators like Investopedia, Bankrate, MonitorBankRates, and Banksparency (all FDIC/NCUA-insured; rates may vary slightly by eligibility or update):

• 5.00% APY:

  • Nuvision Credit Union: 7-month CD, $1,000 minimum (up to $5,000 cap).
  • Quorum Federal Credit Union: 48- or 60-month CD, $100 minimum (easy membership via American Consumer Council).
  • Popular Direct: 60-month CD, $10,000 minimum.

• 4.85–4.95% APY:

  • Bread Savings: 18-month CD, $1,500 minimum.
  • Popular Direct: 36- or 48-month CDs (higher for shorter within this range).
  • Happen Bank (LendingClub): 24-month CD, $500 minimum.

• ~4.40–4.75% APY (strong mid-term options):

  • E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley: 12-month CD, any amount (no minimum).
  • Barclays, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Ally, Synchrony: Various 11–36 month terms, $0–$500 minimums.
  • No-penalty options (from Bankrate): Colorado Federal Savings Bank (3.95% on 11-month, $5,000 min), Marcus (3.80% on 11-month), CIT Bank/Rising Bank (3.75%).

Shorter-term highs (3–6 months) often reach 4.3–4.6% from smaller banks/credit unions, but these carry more reinvestment risk. www.monitorbankrates.com

Notes on these rates:

• Many top offers are from online banks or credit unions (no physical branches).
• Minimums range from $0 to $10,000+; jumbo CDs (higher deposits) may yield more.
• Some have “youth” or flexible accounts at 6%+, but these often have restrictions (e.g., age or specific membership). www.monitorbankrates.com

Where to Get the Best Rates

1. Compare live rates daily (recommended for the absolute best/current deals):

   • Investopedia Best CD Rates
   • Bankrate (including no-penalty section)
   • MonitorBankRates (tracks thousands of institutions)
   • Banksparency (sorts by APY across terms)

2. Directly on bank/credit union websites:

   • Popular Direct, E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, Bread Savings, Quorum FCU, Nuvision, Happen Bank.
   • Online banks like Ally, Marcus, Synchrony, Capital One, or major ones like Chase/Bank of America (often lower rates but easier access).

3. Credit unions (often highest rates):

   • Join via family, work, or affiliations (many have no/low barriers, like American Consumer Council for Quorum).
   • Examples: Quorum, Nuvision, Auburn University, or local ones via their websites.

Tips for the best deal:

• Compare APY + term + minimum deposit + penalty together.
• Use a “CD ladder” strategy: Split money across different terms to manage reinvestment risk.
• Consider your timeline—shorter locks if rates might drop; longer if you won’t need the money.
• Rates are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution.
• Avoid big banks’ lowest rates unless you value branches or other services.

Rates fluctuate with the economy and Fed policy, so check the sources above today for the latest. If you have a specific term length, deposit amount, or preferences (e.g., no-penalty, jumbo, or IRA CDs), I can help narrow it further! Always verify directly with the institution before opening.