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- Takeaways
- Rates of 4.50% – 5.00% that you can guarantee as long as December 2026
- All Institutions Insured by the Federal Government Are Equally Safe
- Consider Multiyear CDs to Lock Your Rates Even Further Down The Road
- Today's Best CDs Still Pay Historically High Returns
- Jumbo CDs top regular CDs over a 3-year period
- What will CD rates be in 2025?
- Daily Rankings for the Best CDs, Savings Accounts and Investments
- It is important to note that
- How to Find the Best CD Rates
Takeaways
- CD shoppers have 14 chances at the moment to lock in 4.55% and more on terms ranging between 5 and 18 months.
- Mountain America Credit Union is still offering the nation’s top 5.00% CD with a 18-month guarantee.
- Skyla Credit Union offers the top 2-year guarantee at 4.50%. Genisys Credit Union provides the top 3-year guarantee at 4.32%.
- Want to lock in a rate for a longer period of time? Consider a 4.40% interest rate from Vibrant Credit Union over 4 years, or Transportation Federal Credit Union over 5 years.
- The Fed has decided to wait and see if it will cut interest rates in the future. In an uncertain economic climate, it is smart to grab one of the best CD rates today while you still have the chance.
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 December 2026
Mountain America Credit Union’s 18-month Certificate continues to offer you the opportunity to lock in your 5.00% APY. Open this CD now to lock in your rate for almost October 2026.
The rate that comes in second place is 4.65% APY. Three competing offers extend their rate guarantee into 2025.
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 also offers the same APY, but for 13 months. Both of these options will guarantee your rate until 2026.
Skyla Credit Union offers a 21-month offer at 4.50% that extends into next year. This would lock in your return up until Christmas next year.
| CD Terms | Yesterday'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 | Three institutions |
| 6 months | 4.65% | 4.65% | No change | Three institutions |
| 1 year | 4.60% | 4.60% | No change | Abound Credit Union and Vibrant Credit Union |
| 18 Months | 5.00% | 5.00% | No change | Mountain America Credit Union |
| 2 Years | 4.50% | 4.50% | No change | Skyla Credit Union |
| 3 Years | 4.32% | 4.32% | No change | Genisys Credit Union |
| 4 Years | 4.40% | 4.40% | No change | Vibrant Credit Union |
| 5 years | 4.40% | 4.40% | No change | Transportation 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 Multiyear CDs to Lock Your Rates Even Further Down The Road
Skyla Credit Union is offering 4.50% on a CD with a 21-month term that will guarantee you a return until 2027. Genisys Credit Union offers 4.32% for a 3-year term.
The rate of the top 4-year CD was raised from 4.35% (the previous rate) to 4.40% in early August. 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 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. Despite the drop in CD rates, the best CDs continue to offer a high return. In October 2023, the best CD rates surpassed 6%. Currently, the leading CD rate is at 5%. Compare this with early 2022, when the Federal Reserve started its campaign of rate hikes. The best CDs offered a range of 0.50% – 1.70% APY depending on the term.
Jumbo CDs top regular CDs over a 3-year period
Jumbo CDs require much larger deposits and sometimes pay premium rates—but not always. In fact, for 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’s 3-year jumbo CD rate is 4.34%, compared to the highest standard rate of 4.32%.
It is therefore wise to check both types when shopping for CDs. If the standard CD is your best deal, open it with a large deposit.
| CD Term | Today’s Top National Bank Interest Rate | Today’s top National Credit Union Rate | Today’s top National Jumbo Rate |
| 3 months | 4.50%* | 4.50%* | 4.11% |
| 6 months | 4.65%* | 4.65%* | 4.50% |
| 1 year | 4.50% | 4.60%* | 4.55% |
| 18 Months | 4.35% | 5.00%* | 4.50% |
| 2 Years | 4.25% | 4.50%* | 4.33% |
| 3 Years | 4.30% | 4.32% | 4.34%* |
| 4 Years | 4.30% | 4.40%* | 4.33% |
| 5 Years | 4.30% | 4.40%* | 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 both January and march, central bankers refused to lower the benchmark interest rate further.
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. 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. It’s a great time to lock-in the best rate for your financial goals.
Daily Rankings for the Best CDs, Savings Accounts and Investments
These rankings are updated every day so that you can get the best possible rates.
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 CDs
Best 4-Year Rates
Best 5-Year CD rates
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 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 must be located in at least forty 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 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. 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."
