Key Takeaways
- Today’s highest CD rate is 5.39% for a 3-month CD.
- CD rates from online banks are commonly twice as high as the national average rates.
- CD ladders let you leverage high rates without locking up all of your money long-term.
Currently, the best interest rates on CDs (certificates of deposit) are as high as 5.39%. Rates vary by term and often fluctuate. Below, you’ll find a summary of how CD rates are leaning—plus a guide to the best rates across CDs of various lengths.
Highest CD Rates Today
A CD is a savings account with a fixed interest rate and a maturity period, which is what makes them time deposit accounts. When you open a CD, you agree to lock up your deposit without touching it until the CD’s term is up, whether that’s in six months or five years. Your patience is rewarded with interest that’s usually better than what you’d earn from a regular savings account.
Withdraw money from a CD before “maturity”—when it reaches the end of its term—and you can be slapped with stiff penalties. For example, you can lose up to six months’ worth of interest if you make an early withdrawal from a one-year CD.
The longer the term, the harsher the early withdrawal penalty. It’s not unusual to lose one full year’s worth of interest or more if you break open a five-year CD too soon. Be absolutely certain you understand the penalty before you make your investment.
Today’s 3-Month CD Rates
For short-term savings goals, three-month CDs might make sense. The current average rate on a three-month CD sits at 1.30%, but the highest rate is 5.39%. Last week, three-month CDs were earning 1.30% on average.
Today’s 6-Month CD Rates
If you’re interested in a shorter-term CD, today’s best six-month CD rate is 5.29%. That’s down from 5.37% a week ago. The current average APY for a six-month CD is 1.86%, compared to 1.83% last week at this time.
APY provides a more accurate portrait of the annual interest you’ll earn with a CD because it takes into account compound interest. That’s the interest you earn not only on your deposit (or principal) but also on the interest itself.
Today’s 1-Year CD Rates
The highest interest rate currently being offered on a 12-month CD—one of the most popular CD terms—is 5.37%. If you land a one-year CD with a rate in that neighborhood, you’re getting a good deal. One week ago, the best rate was the same.
The average APY, or annual percentage yield, on a one-year CD is now 1.98%, down from 1.99% a week ago.
Today’s 2-Year CD Rates
If you can hold out for two years, 24-month CDs today are being offered at interest rates as high as 4.88%. The top rate last week at this time was 4.89%. Two-year CDs now have an average APY of 1.71%. That’s a fall from 1.72% last week at this time.
Today’s 3-Year CD Rates
CDs with longer terms tend to have some of the most attractive interest rates and APYs—if you’re willing to keep your money locked away for years.
Within the last week, the highest rate on a three-year CD has been 4.72%, so you’ll want to shop around for that rate or something near it.
Today’s 5-Year CD Rates
On a five-year CD, the highest rate today is 4.65%. APYs are averaging 1.62%, the same as this time last week.
The longer the term, the harsher the early withdrawal penalty. It’s not unusual to lose one full year’s worth of interest or more if you break open a five-year CD too soon. Be absolutely certain you understand the penalty before you make your investment.
Today’s Jumbo CD Rates
The best rate on today’s jumbo CDs is 5.37% for a 6-month term. The average APY for this category of CD is currently 1.86%, compared to 1.73% last week.
Most jumbo CDs require a minimum deposit of $100,000—and some even require $250,000. However, there’s no universally agreed-upon definition regarding what qualifies as a “jumbo” CD. Some banks and credit unions slap the label “jumbo” on CDs you can open with $50,000, $25,000 or even less.
Other Top CD Rates by Term
How Do CDs Work?
To open a CD, you start by establishing an account with a bank and making a one-time, upfront payment, known as the principal. Many banks require you to deposit a minimum amount of money—which can be anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars—when opening a CD. At credit unions, CDs are often referred to as share certificates.
Once you have deposited your principal, the timer on your investment begins, and you will begin earning interest. The bank or credit union will provide you with monthly or quarterly statements reflecting how much interest you are accumulating.
Resist the urge to access your CD before the term ends because early withdrawal penalties can eat up your interest instantly. In some cases, you may even face stiff early-withdrawal penalties that eat into your principal
Best CD Rates Offered by Banks in August 2024
CD rates largely depend on a bank’s overhead and operational costs, which tends to give digital banks an edge. Take Chase Bank (traditional), Capital One (hybrid) and Synchrony Bank (online), for example. Chase Bank CD Rates range from 0.01% to 4.75%, Capital One 360 CD Rates range from 3.90% to 5.00% and Synchrony Bank CD Rates range from 0.25% to 5.15%.
Be sure to compare a few options with the types of banks you’re most comfortable with.
Other top CD rates by banks include:
Methodology
Curinos determines the average rates for certificates of deposit (CDs) by focusing on specific CDs and excluding others. Certain types, such as promotional offers, relationship-based rates, private, youth, senior, student/minor, affinity, bump-up, no-penalty, callable, variable, step-up, auto transfer, club, gifts, grandfathered, internet-only and IRA CDs are not considered in the calculation.
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