- You can earn up to 4.65% APY with today’s best CDs.
- Prices have been falling for months and will likely continue to fall.
- Opening a CD now allows you to lock in a high APY and protect your earnings from additional price cuts.
If you’ve been thinking about opening a certificate of deposit, now is a good time to do so.
today Best CDs It offers up to 4.65% annual yield, or APY — more than double the percentage National average For some terms. But APYs have fallen since the Fed cut interest rates at its last three meetings. And with experts anticipating further reductions this year, the earlier you open a CD, the higher APY you may be able to secure.
“I wouldn’t bet on interest rates rising much in the near term, so I would pull the trigger now if fixed income is a priority,” said Noah Damsky, CFA, a bank manager. Marina Wealth Advisors.
Here are some of the highest CD rates at the moment and how much you can earn by depositing $5,000.
Today’s best CD prices
condition | Highest APY* | Bank | Estimated profits |
---|---|---|---|
6 months | 4.65% | Community Federal Credit Union | $114.93 |
1 year | 4.45% | Community Federal Credit Union | $222.50 |
3 years | 4.15% | First American Credit Union | $648.69 |
5 years | 4.25% | First American Credit Union | $1,156.73 |
Experts recommend comparing rates before opening a CD account to get the best APY possible. Enter your information below to get the best CNET Partners rate for your area.
Why is it time to open a CD?
Interest rates on certificates of deposit may still be attractive, but the days of high APYs are over. APY rates have been falling for several months after a series of… Interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The Fed does not set CD interest rates directly, but banks tend to move in sync with their decisions. When the Fed lowered interest rates, banks reduced APYs on products such as CDs and CDs Savings accounts vice versa.
To fight inflation in the coronavirus era, the Fed raised interest rates 11 times starting in March 2022, and certificate of deposit rates rose, to the tune of 5.65% year over year for the banks we track at CNET. They have fallen significantly since then, especially in recent months as slowing inflation has led the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates at its last three meetings. With experts predicting further Fed rate cuts in 2025, securing one of today’s best APYs can protect your dividends from additional declines.
How CD prices have changed since last month
condition | CNET Average APY on December 13, 2024 | CNET Average APY on January 13, 2025 | It changes |
---|---|---|---|
6 months | 4.15% | 4.05% | -2.41% |
1 year | 4.08% | 4.01% | -1.72% |
3 years | 3.52% | 3.50% | -0.57% |
5 years | 3.46% | 3.45% | -0.29% |
What to look for when comparing CDs
A competitive APY is important, but it’s not the only thing you should consider. To find the right CD for you, evaluate these factors as well:
- When you’ll need your money: Penalties for early withdrawal It could eat into your interest earnings. So make sure you choose a term that fits your savings timeline. Alternatively, you can select A CD without penaltyalthough the APY may not be as high as you would get with a traditional CD with the same term.
- Minimum deposit requirements: Some CDs require a minimum to open an account – usually between $500 and $1,000. Others don’t. The amount of money you have to set aside can help you narrow down your options.
- expenses: Maintenance and other fees can eat into your profits. a lot Online banks They do not charge fees because their overhead costs are lower than banks with physical branches. However, read the fine print of any account you’re evaluating.
- Federal deposit insurance: Make sure which bank or Credit union Are you considering becoming a member of the FDIC or NCUA so your money is protected If the bank fails.
- Customer ratings and reviews: Visit sites like Trustpilot to see what customers are saying about the bank. You want a bank that is responsive, professional, and easy to work with.
methodology
CNET reviews CD prices based on the latest APY information from source sites. We evaluated CD rates from more than 50 banks, credit unions, and financial companies. We evaluate CDs based on APYs, product offerings, accessibility, and customer service.
Current banks included in CNET’s weekly CD averages include Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, American Express National Bank, Barclays, Bask Bank, Bread Savings, Capital One, CFG Bank, CIT, Fulbright, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, MYSB Direct, Quontic , Rising Bank, Synchrony, Everbank, Popular Bank, First Internet Bank of Indiana, First American Federal Credit Union, Federal Credit Union Community, Discover, Bethpage, BMO Alto, Limelight Bank, First National Bank of America and Connexus Credit Union.
*APYs as of January 14, 2025, based on banks we track at CNET. Earnings are based on APYs and assume interest compounded annually.
More about CDs
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