Top CD Rates today, March 14, 2025 — Guaranteed 5% return until September 2026

Takeaways

• Mountain America Credit Union is offering a CD with a rate of 5.00% for a term of 18 months. This allows you to lock in the rate until fall next year.
• The runner up rate is 4.65%. This rate is available from four banks and credit unions for periods of 5 to seven months.
• Skyla Credit Union offers the top 2-year rate of 4.50%—a new offer unveiled this week.
• If you want to lock in your rate until 2027, or even longer, then consider a rate of 4.40% from Credit Human, Vibrant Credit Union, or Transportation Federal Credit Union.
• The Fed is almost certain to hold interest rates at the same level next week. Since rate cuts are expected to begin in 2025, you should lock in 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 ranging from 4.50% to 5.00% can be guaranteed until December 2026

Mountain America Credit Union offers a 18-month certificate that guarantees a 5.00% annual percentage yield. Open this CD to lock in the rate until mid September 2026.

The country's runner-up rate is 4.65% APY, available from four competing offers. Two banks and two credit unions offer this rate for terms ranging from five to seven months.

Abound Credit Union has recently announced a 4.60% rate with a 10-month guarantee. Vibrant Credit Union offers the same APY over a period of 13 months. Both of these will lock in your rate through 2026.

Another CD, launched last week, will extend your return into the next year. Skyla Credit Union offers a 21-month rate of 4.50% that will lock in your return to almost Christmas 2026.

All Federally Insured Institutes 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 Multiyear CDs to Lock Your Rate Even Further Down The Road

Credit Human offers a variety of CDs that guarantee your return at least until 2027. You can lock-in a guaranteed 4.45% rate for any term you choose between 18-23 months. (You’ll need a period of at least 22 to extend into the calendar year 2027.) Or, you can opt for an 4.40% rate on a selected term between 24 to 35 months.

This week, those who wanted to lock in a rate for an even longer period of time got some good new. The 4-year CD rate rose from 4.35% – 4.40%. Vibrant Credit Union is offering the higher rate. 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.

Given the possibility of Fed rate reductions in 2025 and 2020, it is probably a good idea to invest in long-term CDs. 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. But despite this pullback, CDs offer a fantastic return. In October 2023, the best CD rates surpassed 6%. Currently, the leading CD rate is at 5%. Compare this with early 2022, when the Federal Reserve started its campaign of rate hikes. The highest interest rate you could earn on the best CDs was 0.70% APY.

Jumbo CDs lose to regular CDs in every term

Jumbo CDs require much larger deposits and sometimes pay premium rates—but not always. In fact, we’ve found that the best jumbo CD rate is worse than the standard CD rate for every term. This means that it is smart to check both types when CD shopping. If your best rate for your preferred deposit amount comes from a standard CD then you should 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. But in January the central bankers announced that they would be putting their benchmark rates on hold until at least March.

The Fed’s three 2024 rate cuts represent 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.

The Fed will likely lower interest rates in a gradual manner, since inflation in February was below the Fed’s 2% goal but still above it. According to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, at the time this article was written, interest rate futures trader are currently pricing in an 99% probability that Fed will keep interest rates unchanged at its March 19th meeting.

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. 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 suggested by 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. Now is a good time to lock in a rate that fits your financial timeline.

Daily Rankings for the Best CDs, Savings Accounts and Investments

These rankings are updated every day so that you can get the best possible rates.

Best 3-Month CD rates

Best 6-Month CD rates

Best 1-Year Cd Rates

Best CD Rates for 18-Month Term

Best 2-Year CD rates

Best 3-Year Rates on CDs

Best 4-Year CD rates

Best 5-Year Rates on CDs

Best High-Yield Savings accounts

Best Money Market accounts

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 we 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 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. 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. Where appropriate, we also reference original research by other reputable publishers. 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. CME Group. "FedWatch."