Top CDs Today April 18, 2025: Two offers still guarantee 4.60% for 6-10 Months

Takeaways

• The CD rate for the country’s top CD is now 4.60%. Available from T Bank or Abound Credit union for 6 months. Abound’s offer guarantees your APY until 2026.
• XCEL Federal Credit Union pays 4.50% APY on its 18-month Certificate for a ratelock that extends until October 2026.
• There are 18 different offers that guarantee rates of at least 4.5% for terms ranging between 3 and 18 months.
• Want to secure your return for even longer? The top rates on 2-year and 5-year certificates are currently between 4.28% and 4.32%.
• The Fed is in a “wait and see” mode when it comes to 2025 rate reductions. It’s a good idea to lock in today’s best CDs, given the uncertain economy.

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 4.60% are Guaranteed as far as 2026

The leading CD rate in the United States dropped from 4,65% to 4.60% this week. You can still lock in the 4.60% rate with T Bank for a 6-month period or Abound Credit union for a 10-month period, extending your rate guarantee to early 2026.

The longest term of these CDs is 18 months. This CD can be purchased from XCEL Federal Credit Union. It will lock in a 4.50% introductory rate until October of the following year.

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 that are longer-term to secure your rate further into the future

Lafayette Federal Credit Union offers 4.28% APY on a 24-month rate lock that will last until 2027. Genisys Credit Union is the leader in the 3-year rate, offering 4.32% APY for 30 months.

CD buyers who want a longer warranty may be interested in the top 4-year and 5-year certificates. Lafayette Federal Credit Union offers a 4.28% 4-year rate, even though the 4-year rate was cut yesterday from 4.40%. Lafayette Federal Credit Union promises a 4.28% APY for all certificates, from 7 months to 5 years. This rate is guaranteed until 2030.

Considering the possibility of Fed rate reductions in 2025 or 2026, multiyear CDs may be a smart investment right now. 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. The best CDs offer a fantastic return despite this pullback. In October 2023, the best CD rates surpassed 6%. The leading rate has dropped to 4.60%. 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% – 1.70% APY depending on the term.

Jumbo CDs Outperform Regular CDs by 4 Terms

Jumbo CDs require much larger deposits and sometimes pay premium rates—but not always. In fact, in half of the terms that we track, the best rates for jumbo CDs are the same or lower than those for standard CDs.

Both the top standard CDs and the top jumbo CDs offer the same APY of 4.50% for 18-month CDs. Institutions are offering higher rates on jumbo CDs in the following terms.

• 2 years: Lafayette Federal Credit Union is offering 4.33% on a 2-year Jumbo CD, compared to the highest standard interest rate of 4.28%.
• 3 years: Hughes Federal Credit Union offers the 3-year jumbo-CD at 4.34% compared to 4.32%, which is the highest standard rate.
• 4 years: Lafayette Federal Credit Union offers the highest standard rate of 4.28% on a 4-year Jumbo CD, while 4.33% is offered for a 4-year Jumbo CD.
• 5 years: GTE Financial, as well as Lafayette Federal Credit Union, offer 4.33% jumbo CDs for 5 years compared to the standard rate of 4.28%.

When shopping for CDs, it is wise to always compare both types. If you find that a standard CD offers the best price, open it up with a jumbo deposit.

What is the future of CD rates?

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 changes are important for savers because they reduce the rates that banks and credit unions will pay for 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 tariff activity from the Trump administration has the potential to alter the Fed’s course. But with more Fed rate cuts possibly arriving this year, 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 and Investments

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-Yield 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 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 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 certain type of job), we exclude those credit unions that require a minimum donation of $40. 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. White papers, government data and original reporting are some of the sources. We also use original research from other reputable publications when appropriate. Our website contains more information about the standards that we use to produce accurate, unbiased content. 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."