Why You Need to Open a CD Right Now
While CD rates have dropped slightly, they still provide a good rate of return and make excellent short-term savings vehicles.
Sean Jackson
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If you’re thinking about putting your cash in a CD in 2025, now may be the best time. Currently, rates on CDs are still somewhat high — in most cases offering over 4% on your cash — but they likely won’t go higher than they are now. The reason for this is the Federal Reserve cut interest rates three times in 2024, with the last rate cut being 0.25% on December 18.
For this reason, the beginning of this year could be a great time to lock-in CD rates and earn interest on your savings. In fact, many CD accounts have begun to slightly drop rates in recent weeks, so consider taking advantage of the best possible rates while you still can.
How to open a CD in 2025
Opening a CD is fairly straightforward, and can help maximize your savings with little to no effort. In fact, opening a CD can be done in five simple steps:
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- 1. Choose a CD term
- 2. Choose a provider
- 3. Apply for the CD
- 4. Choose how to receive your interest
- 5. Fund the account
There might be reasons why you don't want to open a CD. Some of the most common obstacles involve people not wanting to temporarily lose access to funds, not wanting to open a CD with an online-only bank and not seeing the value of having a CD.
CDs hold a fixed amount of money for a fixed period of time, which can be anywhere from three months to five years, and are good options for individuals looking for a fixed, predictable rate of return on their savings.
While CD accounts offer higher savings rates than standard savings accounts, there is one drawback. You'll have to wait until your CD's maturity date before you can withdraw funds. Failure to do so will cost you a fee, which can offset any interest you may have earned (unless you have a no-penalty CD account).
But if you're okay with setting your money aside for a certain period of time, you could easily maximize your savings with the best rates on the market. For those hesitant to lock their cash away, a high yield savings account is a better option. However, because rates on these accounts are variable, you won't be able to lock-in rates. These accounts are also simple to set up, and are a no-brainer for those looking to earn more on their hard-earned cash. By not putting your savings into a high yield savings account or CD, you're leaving money on the table.
Unlike high yield savings accounts, rates on CDs are fixed, meaning your APY won't fluctuate over time. And because savings rates have been leveling off lately, in some cases even dropping, opening a CD account now, rather than later, can help you secure the best rates before they drop further.
You can compare current CD rates below by using our tool — powered by Bankrate.
Also check out Kiplinger's savings calculator below to see just how much you could earn with a high APY.
Savings rates 2025
Savings rates have been on the rise since March 2022, when the Federal Reserve began hiking interest rates in an attempt to combat high inflation. Since then, the Fed began a trio of rate cuts in 2024, with the third one being a 0.25% cut on December 18. Moving forward, the Fed might not make as many rate cuts in 2025.
Since the Fed started holding rates steady, APYs on CDs have begun to level out, and in several cases, decrease. For this reason, consider taking advantage of savings rates while they're still high.
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