Top CD Rates April 1, 2020 – 5.00% Offer Expires, but you can still lock in 4.65% until Fall

Takeaways

• Mountain American Credit Union retired this morning its 5.00% 18 month certificate, which had topped the national CD rate charts for almost seven consecutive weeks.
• Three different institutions offer the new rate of 4.65% with terms ranging between 5 and 7 months.
• For a rate lock that lasts into 2026, both Abound Credit Union and Vibrant Credit Union are paying 4.60%—with durations of 10 months and 13 months, respectively.
• The leading 2-year rate in the country also fell today—down from 4.50% to 4.30%, available from University Federal Credit Union.
• The Fed is “waiting and seeing” about rate cuts in 2025 after holding interest rates at the same level in March. In the current uncertain economy, you should grab one of today’s best CD rate while you can.

Below you'll find featured rates available from our partners, followed by details from our ranking of the best CDs available nationwide.

Rates from 4.51% to 4.65% You can Guarantee until Summer 2026

Your ability to score a 5.00% APY vanished with this morning's rate updates. Mountain America Credit Union had been offering that rate on an 18-month certificate since Valentine's Day.

You can choose from three different offers to get the 4.65% APY. You can lock in 4.65% for terms of 5 to 7 months.

The longest term of these certificates is 13 months. Vibrant Credit Union is offering this offer at a rate 4.60%. Abound Credit Union also offers the same APY, but with a 10-month term. Both of these options will guarantee your rate until next year.

All Institutions Federally Insured Are Equally Protection

You are protected by the U.S. Government in the unlikely event that an institution fails. Not only that, but the coverage is identical—deposits are insured up to $250,000 per person and per institution—no matter the size of the bank or credit union.

Consider CDs With Longer Terms To Secure Your Rate Down the Road

University Federal Credit Union offers a rate lock for 2027 that pays 4.30% APR for 24 months. Skyla Credit Union’s 21-month CD, paying 4.50%, was removed from the market this morning. Genisys Credit Union, which offers 4.32% for a 30-month term, is leading the 3-year market.

Vibrant Credit Union offers a 4-year certificate that offers 4.40%. CD shoppers looking for a longer warranty may prefer this option. Meanwhile, Transportation Federal Credit Union is also offering 4.40% APY, but on a slightly longer 5-year certificate—ensuring you’ll earn well above 4% all the way until 2030.

A multiyear CD is a good idea right now, especially with the possibility that the Fed will cut rates in 2025 or 2026. The central bank has already lowered the federal fund rate by one percentage point. This year, there could be further cuts. Bank APYs will fall if the Fed lowers interest rates, but you can enjoy a CD rate until it matures.

Today's Best CDs Still Pay Historically High Returns

It's true that CD rates are no longer at their peak. The best CDs are still offering a great return, despite the recent pullback. The best CD rates in October 2023 were above 6%. However, the current leading rate is only 4.65%. Compare this to early 2022 before the Federal Reserve began its rapid-fire rate-hike campaign. The highest interest rate you could earn on the best CDs was 0.70% APY.

Jumbo CDs surpass regular CDs by two terms

Jumbo CDs require much larger deposits and sometimes pay premium rates—but not always. In fact the best jumbo CDs rates are lower or the exact same as the standard CD rates for all but two terms that we track. Lafayette Federal Credit Union offers 4.33% for a 2-year term compared to the top standard rate of 4.30%, while Hughes Federal Credit Union offers 4.34% for 3-year jumbo rates compared to 4.32%.

It is therefore wise to check both types when shopping for CDs. If the standard CD is your best deal, open it with a large deposit.

What is the future of CD rates?

In December, the Federal Reserve announced its third rate cut in as many meetings. It was a reduction of a full percentage since September. In January and March, however, the central banks declined to further reduce the benchmark rate.

The Fed’s three 2024 rate cuts represented a pivot from the central bank’s historic 2022–2023 rate-hike campaign, in which the committee aggressively raised interest rates to combat decades-high inflation. At its 2023 peak, the federal funds rate climbed to its highest level since 2001—and remained there for nearly 14 months.

Fed rate movements are important to savers as they lower the rates that banks, credit unions and consumers are willing to pay for their deposits. CD rates and saving account rates are affected by changes in the fed funds rates.

Time will tell what exactly will happen to the federal funds rate in 2025 and 2026—and economic policies from the new Trump administration have the potential to alter the Fed's course. But with three Fed rate cuts already in the books, today's CD rates could be the best you'll see for some time. It’s a great time to lock-in the best rate for your financial goals.

Daily Rankings for the Best CDs, Savings Accounts and Investments

We update this ranking every day of the week to provide you with the best rates for deposits.

• Best 3-Month Rates
• Best 6-Month CD rates
• Best 1-Year CD rates
• Best 18-Month CD rates
• Best 2-Year Rates on CDs
• Best 3-Year CD rates
• Best 4-Year CD rates
• Best 5-Year CD rates
• Best High-Yielding Savings accounts
• Best Money Market accounts

It is important to note that

Note that the "top rates" quoted here are the highest nationally available rates Investopedia has identified in its daily rate research on hundreds of banks and credit unions. This is a much higher rate than the national average which includes all banks with a CD of that term. This includes many large banks who pay pittances in interest. The national averages will always be low, but the rates you can find by shopping around could be five, 10 or even 15 times more.

How to Find the Best CD Rates

Investopedia tracks rates for more than 200 banks nationwide that offer CDs, and calculates daily rankings to determine the best-paying certificates by term. To qualify for our lists, the institution must be federally insured (FDIC for banks, NCUA for credit unions), the CD’s minimum initial deposit must not exceed $25,000, and any specified maximum deposit cannot be under $5,000.

Banks are required to be available in 40 states. Some credit unions may require you to donate to an association or charity to become a part of their organization if you do not meet other criteria (e.g. you don’t work in a particular area or you don’t live in that area), but we exclude credit unions with a donation requirement of $40 or more. To learn more about our methodology, please read the full article.

Article Sources Investopedia requires that writers use primary sources in order to support their work. White papers, government data and original reporting are some of the sources. We also use original research from other reputable publications when appropriate. Learn more about our standards for producing accurate and unbiased content by visiting our Editorial Policy

1. Federal Reserve Board. "Open Market Operations."

2. Federal Reserve Board. "Federal Reserve Issues FOMC Statement, Jan. 29, 2025."

3. Federal Reserve Board. "Federal Reserve Issues FOMC Statement, March 19, 2025."