Georgijevic / Getty Images
- Takeaways
- Rates from 4.50% to 4.65% You can Guarantee as long as 2026
- All Institutions Insured by the Federal Government Are Equally Safe
- Consider CDs with a longer term to lock in your rate for the future
- Today's Best CDs Still Pay Historically High Returns
- Jumbo CDs surpass regular CDs by two terms
- Where will CD rates be heading in 2025
- Daily Rankings of Best CDs and Savings accounts
- You can also read about the importance of this in
- How we find the best CD rates
Takeaways
- Two institutions offer the nation’s best CD rate of 4.65% for terms of 5 or 7.
- CD buyers have four more options for locking in the rate of 4.60%.
- For a rate guaranteed to 2026, both Abound Credit Union and Vibrant Credit Union pay 4.60%—for 10 months or 13 months, respectively.
- The leading 2-year rate in the country is currently 4.30%, available from University Federal Credit Union, while rates as high as 4.32% to 4.40% are on offer for terms of 3–5 years.
- After keeping interest rates unchanged in March, the Fed has entered a “wait and see” mode in regards to rate cuts in 2025. In today’s uncertain economic climate, it is smart to grab one of the best CD rates available today.
Below you'll find featured rates available from our partners, followed by details from our ranking of the best CDs available nationwide.
Rates from 4.50% to 4.65% You can Guarantee as long as 2026
The nation's leading CD rate held its ground today at 4.65%, and you have your choice of two offers for that APY. You can lock in that guaranteed return with terms of 5 or 7.
Two top CDs will pay you 4.60% to extend your rate-lock until 2026. Abound Credit Union is offering this rate for 10 months while Vibrant Credit Union is matching that APY over 13 months.
A total of 26 certificates across the country pay at least 4.5%, with 18-month certificates being the longest. This offer, from XCEL Federal Credit Union will guarantee your rate through October of next.
| CD Terms | Yesterday's Top National Rate | Today's Top National Rate | Day's Change (percentage points) | Top Rate Provider |
| 3 months | 4.50% | 4.50% | No change | Three institutions |
| 6 months | 4.65% | 4.65% | No change | Two institutions |
| 1 year | 4.60% | 4.60% | No change | Abound Credit Union and Vibrant Credit Union |
| 18 Months | 4.50% | 4.50% | No change | XCEL Federal Credit Union |
| 2 years | 4.30% | 4.30% | No change | University Federal Credit Union |
| 3 Years | 4.32% | 4.32% | No change | Genisys Credit Union |
| 4 Years | 4.40% | 4.40% | No change | Vibrant Credit Union |
| 5 Years | 4.40% | 4.40% | No change | Transportation Federal Credit Union |
All Institutions Insured by the Federal Government Are Equally Safe
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 a longer term to lock in your rate for the future
University Federal Credit Union pays 4.30% for a rate lock that you can enjoy until 2027. Genisys Credit Union offers 4.32% over 30 months for a 3-year term.
The top 4-year and 5-year certificates are a good option for CD buyers who want a longer guarantee. Vibrant Credit Union is paying 4.40% APY for 48 months, while Transportation Federal Credit Union promises that same rate for 60 months—ensuring you’d earn well above 4% all the way until 2030.
Given the possibility that the Fed could cut rates in 2025, or even 2026, it is probably a good idea to buy multiyear CDs right now. 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. Despite the decline, the best CDs continue to offer a high return. 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’s 2-year jumbo rate is 4.33%. This compares to the top standard rate of 4.30%. Hughes Federal Credit Union’s 3-year jumbo rate is 4.34%, compared with 4.32%.
When CD shopping, it is wise to check out both types of offers. If your best option is to buy a standard CD, you can open it by paying a large deposit.
| CD Term | Today’s top National Bank Rate | Today’s top National Credit Union Rate | Today’s top National Jumbo Rate |
| 3 months | 4.50%* | 4.50%* | 4.11% |
| 6 months | 4.65%* | 4.65%* | 4.55% |
| 1 year | 4.50% | 4.60%* | 4.55% |
| 18 Months | 4.35% | 4.50%* | 4.50%* |
| 2 years | 4.25% | 4.30% | 4.33%* |
| 3 Years | 4.16% | 4.32% | 4.34%* |
| 4 Years | 4.15% | 4.40%* | 4.33% |
| 5 Years | 4.15% | 4.40%* | 4.33% |
Where will CD rates be heading in 2025
In December, Federal Reserve announced the third rate reduction to the federal fund rate in as few meetings. This is a reduction of one full percentage point from 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—making now a smart time to lock in the best rate that suits your personal timeline.
Daily Rankings of Best CDs and Savings accounts
We update this ranking every day of the week to provide you with the best rates for deposits.
- Best 3-Month CD rates
- Best 6-Month CD rates
- Best 1-Year Cd Rates
- Best CD Rates 18-Months
- Best 2-Year CD rates
- Best 3-Year Rates on CD
- Best 4-Year CD rates
- Best 5-Year CD rates
- Best High-Yield Savings accounts
- Best Money Market Accounts
You can also read about the importance of this in
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 are usually quite low while the best rates are often five, ten, or even fifteen times higher.
How we find the best CD rates
Investopedia tracks rates of more than 200 banks, credit unions and other institutions that offer CDs in the United States. Each day, Investopedia ranks the best-paying certificates for each major 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 must be located in at least forty 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 do not live in a particular area or have a certain type of job). We exclude credit unions that require a donation of $40 or more. Read our methodology to learn more about how we select the best rates.
Article Sources Investopedia requires that writers use primary sources in order to support their work. These include whitepapers, government data and original reporting as well as interviews with industry experts. 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
Federal Reserve Board. "Open Market Operations."
Federal Reserve Board. "Federal Reserve Issues FOMC Statement, Jan. 29, 2025."
Federal Reserve Board. "Federal Reserve Issues FOMC Statement, March 19, 2025."
