Top CDs today, April 25, 2020 – Get 4.50% or More on Terms Ranging From Three to 18 Months

Takeaways

• This week, CD buyers lost three options to lock in a minimum 4.50% APY. There are still 15 offers that guarantee this rate for 3-18 months.
• The best CD rates in the country are still 4.60%. They can be obtained from T Bank for six months or Abound credit union for ten months.
• XCEL Federal Credit Union offers 4.50% APY on its 18-month certificate for a rate lock that extends to October 2026.
• Want to ensure your return for an even longer period of time? The top rates for certificates of 2 years to 5 years range between 4.28% and 4.32%.
• The Fed is currently in a “wait-and see” mode with regards to rate cuts in 2025. It’s a good idea to lock in the best CD rates you can find today, especially 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 between 4.50% and 4.60% you can guarantee until 2026

Abound Credit Union offers a 10-month guarantee. T Bank offers a 6-month rate lock. Abound’s offer will lock in your rate until February 20, 2026.

The longest term of these 15 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 with a longer term to lock in your rate for the future

Lafayette Federal Credit Union pays 4.28% for a rate-lock you can enjoy until 2027. Want a longer rate lock with a slightly higher interest rate? Genisys Credit Union offers 4.32% over 30 months.

The top 4-year and 5-year certificates are a good option for those who want to save their money for longer. Lafayette Federal Credit Union offers a 4-year rate of 4.28%, even though the 4-year rate was reduced last week from 4.40%. Lafayette Federal Credit Union offers the same 4.28% annual percentage yield (APY) on all certificates, from 7 months to 5 years. This rate is guaranteed until 2030.

Given the possibility that the Fed could cut rates in 2025, or even 2026, it is probably a good idea to buy multiyear CDs 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 are still offering a great return, despite the decline. The best CD rates in October 2023 were above 6%. However, the current leading rate is only 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% to 1.7% APY depending on the term.

Jumbo CDs top regular CDs in four terms

Jumbo CDs require much larger deposits and sometimes pay premium rates—but not always. In fact the best jumbo CD rate right now is no better than top standard rates for four of eight CD terms tracked by us.

The top CDs that are 18 months long pay the same rate – 4.50%. 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 is offering 4.33% on a 4-year jumbo-CD compared to 4.28% at the highest standard interest rate.
• 5 years: GTE Financial and Lafayette Federal Credit Union both offer 4.33% on jumbo 5-year CDs, compared to 4.28% for the standard rate.

It is therefore wise to check both types when shopping for CDs. If you find that a standard CD offers the best price, simply open it and deposit a large amount.

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.

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 Rates
• Best 6-Month CD rates
• Best 1-Year Cd Rates
• Best 18-Month CD rates
• Best 2-Year CD rates
• 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 pittances of 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 monitors the rates of more than 200 banks, credit unions and other institutions that offer CDs in the United States and determines the daily rankings of the highest-paying certificates for each 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 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 do meet other eligibility requirements (e.g. if you live in an area or hold a certain type of job), we exclude those credit unions who require a minimum donation of $40. 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. 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."