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Best CD rates Oct. 15, 2025: 4.35% APY

Glen Luke FlanaganBy Glen Luke FlanaganStaff Editor, Personal Finance
Glen Luke FlanaganStaff Editor, Personal Finance

Glen, an editor for Coins2Day's personal finance section, focuses on housing, mortgages, and credit. He's been involved in personal finance since 2019, previously serving as an editor and writer for USA TODAY Blueprint, Forbes Advisor, and LendingTree before coming to Coins2Day. Glen enjoys exploring complex subjects and simplifying them into accessible information that people can readily understand and apply to their everyday lives.

You’ve still got time to earn solid returns in a certificate of deposit, but don’t delay. The Federal Reserve cut interest rates three times in 2024, and finally made its first rate cut of 2025 at its September meeting, which means average CD yields are well off their recent record highs.

Currently, the best CD rates offer up to 4.35% annual percentage yield. If you fund a certificate of deposit on October 15, 2025, you could lock in a higher rate for years, depending on what term length best fits your financial objectives.

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Top CD yields Oct. 15, 2025: up to 4.35% APY

The highest CD rate of 4.35% is offered by Ivy Bank on its three-month CD. Colorado Federal Savings Bank offers a 4.35% APY on its six-month CD but requires a higher minimum deposit. Bread Savings and MyBankingDirect come in close behind, each offering savers the chance to earn a 4.20% APY on a six-month CD.

Coins2Day monitors the top rates offered by leading U.S. Financial institutions to help readers obtain the best possible return on their CD investments. Here are the highest CD rates on the market:

Pro tip

Looking for the best CD to fit your investment needs? See rates from top institutions:
Wells Fargo
Capital One
Chase
Bank of America
Discover Bank
Northern Bank Direct
Ally Bank
Newtek Bank
Popular Direct
Citibank
Sallie Mae Bank

Examine interest rates for Certificates of Deposit at leading national financial institutions

If you’re unfamiliar with some or all of the institutions on the list above, that’s no accident. Big banks—Chase, PNC, and U.S. Bank, for example—are more focused on products like loans and credit cards rather than certificates of deposit. Consequently, they tend to offer CD rates that can suffer in comparison to smaller regional institutions or online banks.

CD rates news 2025

CD investors should understand that market rates are closely tied to Federal Reserve policy decisions, more specifically changes to the fed funds rate. Staying informed about fed interest rate policy is vital for anyone investing in certificates of deposit.

The Fed cut rates three times in 2024, with the final rate reduction in December fixing fed funds at 4.25%-4.50%. The central bank cut rates to support the economy as inflation finally began to subside after its pandemic surge. As a consequence, CD rates came off their recent highs.

At its Sept. 16-17, 2025 meeting, the Fed initiated the first rate cut of the year. Now, the federal funds rate stands at 4.00%-4.25%. Some CD offerings dipped directly after.

Two additional Fed meetings remain on the schedule for this year, with the upcoming event scheduled for October 28-29. Certificate of deposit rates might decline further if financial institutions expect the Federal Reserve to implement additional reductions in interest rates.

The robust average CD yields observed in 2022 and 2023 stemmed directly from The Federal Reserve's interest rate increases following the pandemic. Between March 2022 and July 2023, the FOMC implemented eleven rate hikes, pushing the federal funds rate from zero to 5.25%-5.50%. This move by the central bank was a response to inflation climbing at rates not seen since the 1980s.

Current CD rates remain close to their recent peaks. Savers can find appealing rates for both short and long-term certificates. Depositing a significant sum into your CD account can yield considerable interest.

Historical CD rates

During the initial years of the 1980s, certificate of deposit rates climbed to double-digit figures, a significant difference compared to the diminished rates observed in 2025. Nevertheless, by 2019, the annual percentage yield for a five-year CD had marginally surpassed 3.00%.

During the early 2020s, the highest rates generally stayed under 1.00% APY. More recently, rates have climbed substantially, with the most attractive options exceeding 5.00% APY in 2024. By 2025, though, rates are starting to level off and fall beneath that mark.

How to get a good CD rate

To figure out what makes a good CD rate, you need to weigh the best rate you can find against how long you're comfortable committing your funds. 

For instance, investing a large sum in a five-year CD yielding 5.00% may not be a good choice if you need the money sooner or if you believe interest rates could start rising again. But generally speaking, rates that exceed the national average are considered worthwhile. 

Key factors to consider when comparing CDs include:

  • Term length: Ensure it aligns with your savings goals and timeline.
  • APY: Higher rates typically are offered for longer terms.
  • Minimum deposit: Make sure you can meet the required initial balance.
  • Penalties: Understand the costs associated with withdrawing funds before maturity.
  • Deposit insurance: Verify that the bank is Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)- or National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)-insured for deposit protection.

Online banks often provide superior CD returns; however, be aware of any minimum deposit stipulations and related charges. Opting for a bank instead of a brokerage may occasionally help you bypass superfluous fees.

Explore what online banks have to offer

Online banks and fintech firms typically provide better rates compared to major national banks. Big financial institutions mainly generate income through loan interest, service charges, and investments in securities.

Smaller financial institutions and digital financial technology firms draw in clients by offering appealing annual percentage yields on savings and checking accounts. Furthermore, these digital banks generally incur reduced operational expenses, which enables them to provide more favorable interest rates to their customers.

Set up a CD ladder

CD ladders offer an ideal solution for savers who are reluctant to lock up their money for long durations. Spreading your savings across certificates of deposit with varying maturity dates allows you to enjoy both immediate access to funds and more favorable interest rates over the long haul.

Consider investing $3,000 across three CDs with staggered maturity dates: one year, two years, and three years. When each CD reaches its maturity, you have the option to reinvest those funds into a new three-year CD. This strategy provides yearly access to your principal and any earned interest.

Cassie Bottorff, a former Coins2Day editor, developed a series focusing on daily CD rates. Glen Luke Flanagan, Editor of Evergreen Content, has updated this particular edition.

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