Should You Get a Long-Term or Short-Term CD Before the Next Fed Meeting?

The upcoming May Fed meeting, the third of the year, has sparked speculation about whether rates will hold steady or decrease further. With savings rates hanging in the balance, many are watching closely to see what the Fed decides.

According to the CME Group's Fed Watch tool, economists are overwhelmingly confident that the Fed will hold rates steady at 4.25%-4.50% for now. Looking ahead to June, however, economists expect the central bank to begin lowering rates again, with some forecasting rates to hit 2.5% by the first half of 2027.

If you’ve waited to open a CD account until now, or if your current CD account is nearing maturity, you’re likely considering locking in rates ahead of the next meeting.

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But what CD should you open before the conclusion of the Fed meeting — a short-term or long-term account?

Use our tool below, powered by Bankrate, to compare CD rates today, or keep reading for our recommendations on the best CDs to consider ahead of the May Fed meeting.

Should you get a long or short-term CD before the Fed meeting this week?

When comparing current CD rates, you’ll notice that the best rates offered are mainly on short-term CDs. However, the difference is minimal. So, given the potential for rates to start dropping as early as June, opening a long-term CD may be a more reliable way to lock in today's above average rates.

If you’re comfortable with a long-term time commitment, a 5-year CD is a solid option, with some of the top earning accounts offering over 4% APY. While many 1-year CDs have rates even higher, locking in a slightly lower rate will pay off in the long run.

Putting $5,000 in a 1-year CD with a rate of 4.25% will earn you $212.50 in interest. If you want to open another CD once that one matures, you might have to settle for a much lower rate, depending on what happens over the next year.

On the other hand, if you lock in a rate of 3.75% for a five-year CD, you’d maintain that savings rate for the whole five years, earning $937.50 in total.

When the Fed raises or lowers interest rates, savings rates usually do the same — which is why rates rose substantially following the Fed’s rate-hiking campaign.

But as inflation cooled and the Fed kept interest rates steady, rates on savings accounts inched slightly down. Rates could drop even more if the Fed cuts rates over the next couple of years.

So, locking in high rates for as long as possible can be a smart savings strategy, but there’s one main factor to consider before you fund the account. When putting money in a CD account, you’ll have to be prepared to “set it and forget it.”

That means not accessing the cash until the CD matures, which can prove challenging if your cash is tied up for several years. If you do withdraw funds early, you’ll be charged a fee that can offset any interest earned.

If you can’t commit to a long-term CD, it’s still worth opening a short-term one. While you run the risk of rates dropping after it matures, it will still help you earn some extra cash without tying up your money for an extended time.

It's also worth opening a high-yield savings account, although these accounts won't allow you to lock in rates. For any savings (like an emergency fund) that you need to be able to access at any time, a high yield savings account allows you to earn a little interest without tying up your cash.

You can compare rates on savings account with our tool, powered by Bankrate, below:

Demand for long-term CDs is on the rise

Over the last several years, there’s been a surge in the popularity of CD accounts driven by rapidly rising rates in response to the Fed's interest rate hiking campaign.

These increases followed a series of rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, which pushed the federal funds rate to its highest level since 2001.

However, the market started to course correct in 2024. The Federal Reserve cut interest rates three times to close out 2024, but they anticipate fewer rate cuts in 2025.

With so much uncertainty, consumers are looking for ways to keep their savings strong for as long as they can. For many, this means turning to longer-term CDs.

The number of savers shopping for 1-year CDs on online marketplace CD Valet increased 150% in the first quarter of this year, the company reported, even when the yields offered on shorter 6- to 9-month CDs were higher.

"Savers may be feeling more recession risk and choosing to trade maturity for rate, while they still can," says John Blizzard, Founder of CD Valet.

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• Federal Reserve Meeting: Updates and Commentary
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