Grab this 5.00% rate while you can, and enjoy it until fall 2026

Key Takeaways

• Mountain America Credit Union’s 18-month CD offer, which is the nation’s best-rated CD rate at 5.00%, remains unchanged. This allows you to lock in the great rate until September of next year.
• The next best rate is 4.65%. This is available from four different credit unions and banks for durations between 5 and 7 months.
• Skyla Credit Union offers the top 2-year rate of 4.50%—a new offer launched last week.
• Consider a rate of 4.40% from Credit Human, Vibrant Credit Union, or Transportation Federal Credit Union, for 3 or 4 years.
• The Fed will almost definitely hold interest rates constant when it meets this Wednesday. Since rate cuts in 2025 are expected, it is smart to grab one of the best CD rates available today while you can.

Below you'll find featured rates available from our partners, followed by details from our ranking of the best CDs available nationwide.

Rates from 4.50% to 5.00% that you can guarantee as long as December 2026

Mountain America Credit Union’s 18-month Certificate guarantees that you can lock in the 5.00% APY. Open this CD now to lock in your rate through fall 2026.

The country's runner-up rate is 4.65% APY, available from four competing offers that extend their rate promise into later 2025. Two banks and two credit unions offer that rate for terms of 5 to seven months.

Abound Credit Union has recently announced a 4.60% rate with a 10-month guarantee. Vibrant Credit Union also offers the same APY, but for 13 months. Both of these options guarantee your rate through 2026.

Another CD released last week extends further into the next year. Skyla Credit Union’s 21-month offer at 4.50% will lock your return until Christmas 2026.

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 multi-year CDs to lock in your rate further into the future

Credit Human has a number of CDs with guaranteed returns until at least 2027. You can lock in 4.45% guaranteed rate for a term between 18-23 month (you will need to select a minimum of 22 months for the 2027 calendar) or you can choose 4.40% for a chosen term between 24 and 35 month.

Anyone looking for an even longer rate-lock got some good new this week. The leading 4-year CD was increased from 4.35% – 4.40%. Vibrant Credit Union offers the new 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.

The possibility of Fed rates being cut in 2025 or 2026 makes it a smart time to buy 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. The best CDs are still offering a great return, despite the decline. The best CD rates in October 2023 were above 6%. However, the leading rate has dropped to 5%. Compare this to early 2022 before the Federal Reserve began its rapid rate-hike campaign. The highest interest rate you could earn on the best CDs was 0.70% APY.

Jumbo CDs are losing to regular CDs on every level

Jumbo CDs require much larger deposits and sometimes pay premium rates—but not always. The best jumbo CDs rates are currently worse than standard CD rates for every term that we track. 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 their meeting in 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 is expected lower interest rates at a gradual pace, as inflation slowed in February but remained above the Fed’s target of 2%. According to CME’s FedWatch Tool as of this writing, traders of interest rate futures are currently pricing in an 99% probability that Fed will keep rates steady at their meeting that concludes on Wednesday.

Fed rate movements are significant for savers as they lower the rates that credit unions and banks are willing to pay to consumers for their 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 economic policies from 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

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 CD Rates 18-Months

Best 2-Year Rates on CD

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 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 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 don’t work in a particular area or you don’t live in that area), but we exclude credit unions with a donation requirement of $40 or more. 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. 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."