CD Rates Are High, Shop Around to Get the Best Returns

CD rates benefited from a rising interest rate environment, while the Federal Reserve was raising the fed funds rate between 2022-2023. But as the rate hiking campaign appears to have ended (the Fed held interest rates steady in January, its fourth consecutive pause), the boon to CD rates could be waning soon. 

To combat inflation, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates 11 times since March 2022. And as interest rates kept rising, so did rates on high-yield savings accounts and CDs. 

As was expected, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady for the fourth consecutive time at its January policy-setting meeting. This pause in rate hikes means the fed funds rate will remain at a target range of 5.25% to 5.5%. In December, the Federal Reserve saw three interest rate cuts in 2024, and lowered its median interest-rate projection for the end of 2024 to 4.6%. 

However, the Fed's latest statement pushed back on expectations that rate cuts will begin in March. In the official statement, the Federal Reserve states: "The Committee does not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent."

According to LendingTree Senior Economist Jacob Channel, "The Fed is being very cautious as it navigates the potential for future rate cuts. While it doesn't want to leave rates high forever, it also doesn't want to cut them prematurely and risk inflation spiking again. Owing to this, we're likely going to see the Fed hold rates steady for a few more months while they wait to get an even clearer picture of how the economy is doing and where it's likely to be headed.  The more we see inflation growth continue to cool, the more comfortable the Fed will be with cutting rates." 

Following the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold rates steady, rates on CD accounts have started to fall. And if the Federal Reserve does indeed cut interest rates later this spring, savings rates will likely drop even further. For this reason, lock in CD rates while they're still high. 

Many CDS still offer high rates

If you research your options and shop around, you'll find that many CDs are still offering APY rates of over 5%. Often, in order to get the top rates on CDs you'll need to forgo your brick-and-mortar bank and instead opt for an online "challenger" bank. And sometimes, but not always, you may need a higher deposit ($1,000 minimum) to access these best CD rates. 

Check out our tool — in partnership with Bankrate — which lets you search for the best CD rates available now. 

What is a CD?

A certificate of deposit, or CD, is a type of savings account that holds a fixed amount of money for a fixed period of time. Interest rates on CDs are typically higher than they are for regular savings accounts, and the rate that you sign up for stays the same rate for the whole term. Meaning, if rates drop for new CDs, you’ll still keep your rate. Keep in mind that if you decide to withdraw before the term is up, you’ll be stuck with pretty hefty exit fees that can offset any interest you've already earned.

CDs are good options when saving for a specific goal, but they're not great for savings that you’ll need immediate access to — so it's best to avoid putting your emergency fund in a CD. Typical term lengths for CDs range anywhere from three months to five years.

Determining what CD term you should plump for is easier if the money is going towards a particular savings goal. For example, if you plan on getting married in three years, then opening a 3-year CD makes sense. 

However, you may be looking to open a CD with no particular savings goal in mind, so you’ll have to decide whether to get a short-term or long-term CD. To do so, you should consider interest rates, early withdrawal penalties and the amount of time you’re willing to commit. Typically, longer-term CDs have higher interest rates than short-term CDs, but you’ll have to wait longer to access those funds or risk incurring a fee.

Why open a CD

CDs are a great option if you’re looking for a guaranteed rate of return on your savings. They’re geared toward earning interest on money that’s already been saved, often for a future purchase, like a down payment on a vehicle or home. With a CD, you’re making an up-front payment, rather than contributing monthly, so it's not a useful tool for those looking to save gradually. Therefore, if you’re planning to make continuous deposits into a savings account, a traditional or high yield savings account would be a better option for you. 

Pros of CDs

• Safe, no-risk, investments
• There's a guaranteed rate of return 
• Offer higher interest rates on deposits than traditional savings accounts 
• Usually have no monthly fees

Cons of CDs

• Money cannot be easily accessed, without facing early withdrawal penalties. 
• You’ll pay taxes on interest accumulated in the CD. 
• Fixed interest rates on CDs mean that if rates rise, you won’t be able to take advantage of these higher interest rates. 
• Lower returns than if investing in stocks or mutual funds (but always remember the value of your investment can go down as well as up).

Some of the best CD rates available now

Andrews Federal Credit Union

APY: 5.75% (Limited-time only)

Minimum deposit: $1,000

Term: 6 months

Total Direct Bank

APY: 5.51% / 5.50% 

Minimum deposit: $25,000

Term: 3 months / 12 months

Newtek Bank

APY: 5.55% 

Minimum deposit: $2,500

Term: 6 months

BMO Alto

APY: 5.50%

Minimum deposit: $0

Term: 6 months

USAlliance Financial

APY: 5.40%

Minimum Deposit: $500

Term: 12 months

Bask Bank

APY: 5.40%

Minimum Deposit: $1,000

Term: 12 months

Pelican State Credit Union

APY: 5.27%

Minimum Deposit: $500

Term: 24 months

Transportation Federal Credit Union

APY: 5.00%

Minimum Balance: $1,000

Term: 36 months

Credit Human

APY: 4.60%

Minimum Balance: $500

Term: 48 months

First Internet Bank

APY: 4.61%

Minimum Balance: $1,000

Term: 60 months

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