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- Key Takeaways
- Rates from 4.50% to 4.65% You can Guarantee as long as 2026
- All Federally Insured Institutes Are Equally Protection
- 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
- What will CD rates be in 2025?
- Daily Rankings of Best CDs and Savings accounts
- You can also read about the importance of this in
- How to Find the Best CD Rates
Key Takeaways
- Two institutions offer the nation’s best CD rate of 4.65% for terms of 5 or 7.
- There are many CDs available with 4.50% or more APY on terms up to 18-months and 4.30% to 4.4% APY on terms from 2-5 years.
- For a rate guaranteed to 2026, both Abound Credit Union and Vibrant Credit Union pay 4.60%—for 10 months or 13 months, respectively.
- University Federal Credit Union currently offers the top 2-year rate in America, which is 4.30%.
- After keeping interest rates unchanged in March, the Fed has entered a “wait and see” mode in regards to rate cuts in 2025. In the current uncertain economy, you should grab the 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 4.50% 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 the guaranteed return for this fall with terms of either 5 or 7 month.
Two top CDs offer 4.60% if you want to extend the rate lock until 2026. Abound Credit Union offers this rate for a duration of 10 months, while Vibrant Credit Union matches it for 13-months.
There are 25 certificates available in total, and the longest term is 18 months. This offer from XCEL Federal Credit Union would guarantee your rate up until October next year.
| CD Terms | Friday'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 | INOVA Federal Credit Union & OMB |
| 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 Federally Insured Institutes Are Equally Protection
You’re protected if the 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 offers a rate-lock that will last until 2027. They offer a 4.30% APY over 24 months. Genisys Credit Union is the leader in the 3-year rate, offering 4.32% APY for 30 months.
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.
Multi-year CDs may be a smart investment right now, considering the possibility of Fed rate reductions 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. The Fed’s interest rate reductions will lower bank APYs, but a CD rate that you secure today will remain yours 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, in all but two of the terms we track, the best jumbo CD rate is lower or the same as the best standard CD rate. Lafayette Federal Credit Union’s 2-year CD pays 4.33%, compared with the standard CD rate leader of 4.30%. Hughes Federal Credit Union, on the other hand, offers 4.34% in a 3-year CD, compared with 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 jumbo deposit.
| CD Term | Today’s top National Bank rate | Today’s top National Credit Union rate | Today’s 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% |
What will CD rates be in 2025?
In December, Federal Reserve announced the third rate reduction to the federal fund rate in as few meetings. This is a full percentile point decrease since September. In both January and march, central bankers refused to lower the benchmark interest rate further.
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 significant for savers as they lower the rates that credit unions and banks are willing to pay to consumers 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 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 18-Month CD rates
- Best 2-Year Rates on CD
- Best 3-Year CD rates
- Best 4-Year Rates
- Best 5-Year Rates on CDs
- Best High-Yielding 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 different from the national average that includes all banks that offer a CD in that term. Many large banks pay a pittance of interest. The national averages are usually quite low while the best rates are often five, ten, or even fifteen times higher.
How to Find the Best CD Rates
Investopedia monitors the rates of more 200 banks and credit cooperatives that offer CDs nationwide, and determines the daily rankings of the highest-paying certificates at every 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 are required to be available in 40 states. While some credit unions ask you to donate money to a charity or organization to become a membership if you don’t meet the other eligibility criteria, (e.g. if you live in a specific area or have a certain type of job), we exclude those credit unions that require a minimum donation of $40. To learn more about our methodology, please read the full article.
Article Sources Investopedia asks writers to use primary resources to support their writing. 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."
