Top CDs Today – March 24, 2025 Rate Lock of 5% For 18 Months is Still Available

Key Takeaways

• Mountain America Credit Union is still offering the nation’s top 5.00% CD with an 18-month guarantee.
• CD buyers can lock in 4.60% for terms of 6 to 18 months.
• Skyla Credit Union’s top 2-year offer offers 4.50% while Genisys Credit Union’s top 3-year guarantee provides 4.32% over 30 months.
• Want to lock in a rate for a longer period of time? Consider a rate of 4.40% from Vibrant Credit Union or Transportation Federal Credit Union, both for 4 years.
• The Fed kept interest rates unchanged at its meeting yesterday, and has adopted a wait-and-see approach for future rate cuts. In an uncertain economy, you’d be wise 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 of 4.50% – 5.00% that you can guarantee as long as September 2026

Mountain America Credit Union offers a 18-month certificate that guarantees a 5.00% annual percentage yield. This CD would lock your rate in until fall 2026.

The second-best rate is 4,65% APY. This rate is offered by four competing offers, which extend their rate guarantee into later 2025. Two banks and 2 nationally available credit unions pay that rate over terms of 5-7 months.

Abound Credit Union announced recently a 4.60% return on a longer 1-year term with a rate guarantee of 10 months. Vibrant Credit Union offers the same APY over a period of 13 months. Both of these options guarantee your rate through 2026.

Skyla Credit Union offers a 21-month offer with 4.50% interest that will extend your return to almost Christmas 2026.

All Institutions Federally Insured 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 multi-year CDs to lock in your rate further into the future

Skyla Credit Union’s CD offers 4.50% over 21 months. Genisys Credit Union, which offers 4.32% over 30 months, is the leader in rates for the 3-year term.

Anyone looking for a rate lock that is even longer received good news in the first week of this month. The top 4-year CD was increased from 4.35% to 4.4%. Vibrant Credit Union is offering this 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 banks has lowered its federal funds rate to date by a full percentage, and there is a possibility that it will continue to do so 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. The best CDs are still offering a great return, despite the decline. In October 2023, the best CD rates surpassed 6%. The leading rate is now at 5%. Compare this to early 2022 before the Federal Reserve began its rapid rate-hike campaign. The best CDs offered a range of 0.50% to 1.7% APY depending on the term.

Jumbo CDs Outsell Regular CDs Over a Three-Year Period

Jumbo CDs require much larger deposits and sometimes pay premium rates—but not always. In fact, all but one of the terms we track, the best jumbo CD rate is lower than the best standard CD rate. Hughes Federal Credit Union offers a 4.34% jumbo rate for the 3-year term compared to 4.32% standard rate. When shopping for CDs, it’s a good idea to compare both types of offers. If the standard CD is your best option, you can open it using a jumbo deposit.

What will CD rates be in 2025?

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 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 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 of Best CDs and Savings accounts

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 CD rates

Best 3-Year CD rates

Best 4-Year Rates

Best 5-Year CD rates

Best High-Yielding 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 are usually quite low while the best rates are often five, ten, or even fifteen times higher.

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 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. 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. Federal Reserve Board. "Federal Reserve Issues FOMC Statement, March 19, 2025."