Should you move your savings to CDs before interest rates are cut? The answer: Maybe.
If interest rates are expected to drop, a CD could help you lock in higher rates now.
The Federal Reserve is expected to lower interest rates by 25 basis points on Sept. 18 and plans to do so at each of the three remaining policy meetings for the remainder of the year.
The official announcement will be made following the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) next week.
Making moves before interest rates are cut is a wealth secret that can help you maximize your savings . Learn everything you need to know about a CD and if it's the right move for you.
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What is a CD (certificate of deposit)?
A CD is a special type of account offered by banks and credit unions. It provides you with a safe place to hold your money for a set period of time.
In exchange for doing this, the bank offers you an interest rate or annual percentage yield that is often higher than what you would find with other accounts, such as high-yield savings or money market accounts.
APY is the amount of interest earned over the course of a year when compounding is applied. Many types of CDs will compound interest during the length of time you’ve agreed to keep your money in the account. The more often interest is compounded, the more money you earn.
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How do CDs work?
When you open a CD account, you can choose from several types of accounts. Each will have a time frame for keeping your money in the account, an interest rate or APY with information about how often interest is compounded, and penalty fees you may face if you choose to take out your money before the CD reaches maturity.
You’ll find lots of time frame options for CDs, from months to years, and you can shop around for a CD term and interest rate combination that works for your goals.
Most banks offer different types of interest rates for CDs, ranging from a fixed rate that won’t change from start to finish to a variable rate that will rise and fall according to the bank’s guidelines to an adjustable rate that may allow you to request a rate increase should interest rates go up before the end of the term.
Typically, you’ll see higher rates offered for longer CD terms or large deposits and lower rates with shorter-term CDs. But if you're hesitant to invest all your money into a CD with a years’ long term, you can also choose to open multiple CDs with different maturity dates and divide your money between them. This process is called CD laddering. For instance, instead of investing $6,000 in a five-year CD with a 1.35% APY, you might invest $2,000 in a one-year CD with a 1.10% APY; $2,000 in an 18-month CD with a 1.15% APY; and $2,000 in a three-year CD with a 1.20% APY. Building a CD ladder lets you get the benefits of a higher interest rate without a longer-term commitment.
CD rates in general tend to be higher than those you’d get with savings or money market accounts. That’s because banks want to encourage customers to keep their money within its organization. Banks earn money by lending to businesses and customers. To encourage people to commit money to a CD, banks often apply higher interest rates than for other types of savings products.
Despite the fact that the financial institution is looking to use your money to make loans to other people, your money is generally safe earning interest in a CD — so long as you open an account with a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission or a credit union insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Both offer deposit insurance — up to $250,000 of your money in your account is protected should the bank not be able to provide the money when you want it or when the CD matures.
The benefits of opening a CD account
One great benefit of opening a CD account is that you’ll earn money simply by placing money into an account and committing to keeping it there for a while.
Your money is working for you while sitting safely in an account that adds more money to your balance regularly. Also, paying a penalty for withdrawing your money early is a good incentive to keep it where it is.
CDs are also generally safe. Even if a bank goes out of business, the money you deposited and all the interest you earned is insured by the federal government (assuming your CD is with an insured bank or credit union).
You’ll also know exactly how much interest you’re earning and when it is applied. CDs are both predictable and reliable investments.
Finally, there are so many types of CDs offered by online, national, and local banks and credit unions, you can shop around for the best certificate of deposit accounts that make the most sense for what you want to accomplish with your savings.
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The drawbacks of opening a CD account
The main drawback of opening a CD account is that you have to wait until the account matures to access your money. As stated above, this is a good deterrent to dipping into the funds whenever you want.
But there may be an emergency situation in which you need that money immediately. While you may be able to pay a withdrawal penalty to get money out of a CD, the process could be a hassle.
Another drawback of keeping your money in a CD is interest rate fluctuations. If you choose a fixed-rate CD and rates go up, you won’t earn interest at the new, higher rate. On the other hand, if you have a variable rate CD and rates go down, you could end up earning much less than you anticipated.
CD account vs. traditional savings account: What’s the difference?
Traditional and online savings accounts work well for most people’s savings goals. These accounts are easy to set up, especially if you already have an account with the same bank. That makes it simple to connect existing checking accounts or other types of accounts so you can easily deposit and withdraw money.
Even if you choose a new bank for a savings account, you can deposit or withdraw cash whenever you like. The only restrictions are under Federal Regulation D, which allows only six deposits or withdrawals made via online/mobile banking, phone, or fax. However, this regulation was suspended temporarily as of April 2020.
A traditional savings account may earn a small amount of interest, though high-yield savings accounts will likely offer a higher APY. Like a CD, banks usually offer rates that are compounded at various times.
Over time, you can add money to a traditional savings account and, as interest is compounded, earn on the growing balance of both your deposits and interest earned.
When you open a CD, you make a one-time deposit into that account and commit to keeping that money there for a set time period, which can range from months to years.
In return for leaving your money in the account, the bank pays interest that is often higher than what it offers for a traditional savings account. You can take out your money before the CD matures, but you’ll have to pay an early withdrawal penalty fee.
Are CDs a good investment?
CDs are generally a safe, low-risk investment. If the interest you earn is good and the terms suit your needs, investing money in a CD can be a good thing.
It all depends on what you want to accomplish by saving your money in a CD. If you are thinking about opening a CD, make sure you shop around for the best CD rates and terms to find the right financial product for you.
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Can you lose money in a CD?
Most likely, you won’t lose money in a CD if your bank or credit union is federally insured. This means that if the bank were to fail, the federal government will insure up to $250,000 in your CD.
The amount you deposit into the account will be returned to you when the CD matures.
If you’ve chosen a CD with a variable interest rate, the amount of interest earned may go down while the account is accruing interest, but this isn’t a loss of money. It’s a reduction in the amount of new money earned.
How much money should you put in a CD?
That all depends on your situation. Most CDs don’t have a minimum deposit. Many banks offer higher interest rates for larger amounts deposited in a CD.
You’ll also want to keep in mind that your money will not be accessible, so make sure the amount you invest in a CD is money you can afford to have out of reach for the length of the term.
Are there better options than a CD?
If you’re looking for a higher rate of earning for your dollar, investing in the stock market is an option to explore. Those investments can pay more than you’d earn in interest with a CD, but there is a risk of losing money.
High-yield savings accounts are also a good option. Their interest rates may not be as high as CDs, but many banks offer comparable rates. For example, the Aspiration Spend & Save account offers an APY up to 1.00% (as of 06/26/24).6.
With a savings account, there are no fixed terms to worry about, so you’ll also be able to add and take out money if needed for an emergency.
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Bottom line
CDs can be an excellent tool for earning interest on money you want to keep safe for a reasonable length of time.
The rate you earn is often higher than with savings or money market accounts, but you won’t have easy access to the cash you deposit, can’t add to the amount in the account, and will likely have to pay an early withdrawal penalty if you need that money before the end of the CD term.
As always, take some time to think through your financial goals for the money you want to put aside for savings and shop around for the best banks and accounts that will work for your situation.
T here are lots of CD accounts available with traditional and online banks and credit unions. And they’re all competing for your business. The choice of who you give it to is entirely up to you.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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