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- Takeaways
- Rates as low as 4.50% and as high as 4.65% can be guaranteed as far 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
- What will CD rates be in 2025?
- Daily Rankings for the Best CDs & Savings Accounts
- You can also read about the importance of this in
- How to Find the Best CD Rates
Takeaways
- There are 22 CDs that offer 4.50% or more APY for terms of up to 18 months.
- Two institutions offer the nation’s best CD rate of 4.65% for terms of 5 or 7.
- For a rate guaranteed to 2026, both Abound Credit Union and Vibrant Credit Union pay 4.60%—for 10 months or 13 months, respectively.
- Want to lock your rate for longer? Vibrant Credit Union offers a 4-year and 5-year rate lock of 4.40%. Transportation Federal Credit Union also offers a 4-year and 5-year rate lock.
- 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 as low as 4.50% and as high as 4.65% can be guaranteed as far 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.
Total of 22 certificates across the country pay at least 4.5%, with 18-month certificates being the longest. This offer from XCEL Federal Credit Union would guarantee your rate up until October next year.
| 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 | 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 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 is the leader in the 3-year rate, offering 4.32% APY for 30 months.
Customers who are looking for a longer warranty may prefer the top 4-year or 5-year certificate. 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.
The possibility of Fed rate reductions in 2025 or 2026 makes it a good time to buy multiyear CDs. The central banks has already reduced the federal funds rate a full percentage points, and there may be more cuts this year. 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. In October 2023, the best CD rates were over 6%. Today, the leading rate has dropped to 4.65%. Compare this to the early 2022 period, before the Federal Reserve started its campaign of rapid rate increases. The best CDs offered a range of 0.50% to 1.7% APY depending on the term.
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 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%.
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.
| CD Term | Today’s Top National Bank Interest 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 | 4.15% | 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 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 changes are important for savers because they reduce the rates that banks and credit unions will pay for deposits. The fed funds rate is reflected in both CD rates and savings accounts.
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 for the Best CDs & 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 CD rates
- Best 3-Year CD rates
- Best 4-Year CD 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 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 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 must be located in at least forty 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 particular 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, original reports, and interviews with experts in the industry. 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."
