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- Key Takeaways
- Rates as low as 4.50% and as high as 4.60% are Guaranteed as far as 2026
- All Institutions Insured by the Federal Government Are Equally Safe
- Consider CDs that are longer-term to secure your rate further into the future
- Today's Best CDs Still Pay Historically High Returns
- Jumbo CDs Outperform Regular CDs by 4 Terms
- What will CD rates be in 2025?
- Rankings of the best CDs and savings accounts every day
- You can also read about the importance of this in
- How to Find the Best CD Rates
Key Takeaways
- The best CD rates in the country are 4.60%. This is more than 2,5 times the national average rate. This APY can be obtained from T Bank or Abound Credit union for 6 months.
- XCEL Federal Credit Union pays 4.50% APY on its 18-month Certificate for a ratelock that extends until October 2026.
- There are 18 companies that offer a minimum guarantee rate of 4.50% for terms of 3 to 18 months.
- Want to extend your return? Top rates for 2-year to 5-year certificates range from 4.28% – 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
Last week, the leading CD rate in the country dropped from 4,65% to 4.60%. You can still get that 4.60% rate from T Bank for a 6-month lock or Abound Credit union for a 10-month guaranteed. Abound would extend your rate guarantee until early 2026.
Total of 18 CDs are available, the longest being 18 months. This CD is available at XCEL Federal Credit Union and will lock in a 4.50% interest rate 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 | PonceBank Direct and Nuvision Credit Union |
| 6 months | 4.60% | 4.60% | No change | T Bank |
| 1 year | 4.60% | 4.60% | No change | Abound Credit Union |
| 18 months | 4.50% | 4.50% | No change | XCEL Federal Credit Union |
| 2 years | 4.28% | 4.28% | No change | Lafayette Federal Credit Union |
| 3 years | 4.32% | 4.32% | No change | Genisys Credit Union |
| 4 Years | 4.28% | 4.28% | No change | Lafayette Federal Credit Union |
| 5 Years | 4.28% | 4.28% | No change | Lafayette Federal Credit Union |
All Institutions Insured by the Federal Government Are Equally Safe
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 that are longer-term to secure your rate further into the future
Lafayette Federal Credit Union pays 4.28% 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.
CD buyers who want a longer guarantee may prefer the top 4-year or 5-year certificate. Lafayette Federal Credit Union still offers a 4-year 4.28% rate, even though it dropped from 4.40% last week. Lafayette Federal Credit union offers the same rate of 4.28% on all certificates from 7 month to 5 year, allowing you to lock in that rate until 2030.
Given the possibility of Fed rate reductions in 2025 or 2026, multiyear CDs may be a smart investment right now. The central banks has already reduced the federal funds rate a full percentage points, and there may be more cuts this year. 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%. Today, 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 highest interest rate you could earn on the best CDs was 0.70% APY.
Jumbo CDs Outperform Regular CDs by 4 Terms
Jumbo CDs require much larger deposits and sometimes pay premium rates—but not always. The best jumbo rates are currently equal to or even lower than the standard rates for half the terms we monitor.
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 offers the highest standard rate of 4.28% on a 2-year Jumbo CD.
- 3 years: Hughes Federal Credit Union is offering 4.34% on a 3-year Jumbo CD, compared to the standard rate of 4.32%.
- 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%.
It is therefore wise to check both types when shopping for CDs. If the standard CD is your best option, open it with a large deposit.
| CD Term | Today’s Top National Bank Interest Rate | Today’s top National Credit Union Rate | Today’s National Jumbo Rate |
| 3 months | 4.50%* | 4.50%* | 4.11% |
| 6 months | 4.60%* | 4.55% | 4.55% |
| 1 year | 4.50% | 4.60%* | 4.55% |
| 18 months | 4.35% | 4.50%* | 4.50%* |
| 2 years | 4.25% | 4.28% | 4.33%* |
| 3 Years | 4.15% | 4.32% | 4.34%* |
| 4 Years | 4.15% | 4.28% | 4.33%* |
| 5 Years | 4.15% | 4.28% | 4.33%* |
What will CD rates be in 2025?
In December, the Federal Reserve announced its third rate cut in as many meetings. It was a reduction of a full percentage 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 consumers to deposit their money. 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 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.
Rankings of the best CDs and savings accounts every day
We update this ranking every day of the week to provide you with the best rates for deposits.
- Best 3-Month Rates
- Best 6-Month CD rates
- Best 1-Year CD rates
- Best 18-Month CD rates
- Best 2-Year Rates on CDs
- Best 3-Year Rates on CD
- Best 4-Year Rates
- Best 5-Year CD rates
- 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 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 specific 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 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."
