A respectable return from a certificate of deposit remains achievable, but prompt action is necessary. Average CD yields saw a substantial drop in 2024 due to the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts. While yields stayed fairly consistent in early 2025 as the central bank paused further rate adjustments, the Fed implemented its initial rate decrease of the year in September.
TL;DR
- Top CD rates offer up to 4.35% APY, with Ivy Bank leading at 4.35% for a three-month CD.
- Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2024 and September 2025 have impacted CD yields, making prompt action advisable.
- Online banks and smaller institutions generally offer better CD rates than major financial institutions.
- Consider CD laddering and understanding factors like term length, APY, and penalties for optimal investment.
The highest CD rates on the market offer up to 4.35% annual percentage yield. By funding a certificate now, you could secure these high rates for years, depending on the choice of a CD term that best suits your goals. And, with additional Fed rate cuts possible later this year (maybe even as soon as next week), there’s no time to lose.
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Discover top CD rates: Achieve up to 4.35% APY
Ivy Bank is providing the top CD rate of 4.35% for its three-month CD. Coins2Day tracks the leading rates from major U.S. Financial institutions, assisting our readers in maximizing their CD returns. Below are the most competitive rates:
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 financial institutions nationwide.
You might not recognize the banks in the table above, and there's a solid explanation for that. Larger banks rely more on sources other than certificates of deposit for their capital compared to smaller financial firms. Consequently, they feel less pressure to offer top-tier rates to attract customers.
Major financial institutions such as Chase, PNC, and U.S. Bank attract new clients through their lending and credit card divisions. Consequently, the certificate of deposit (CD) interest rates these banks provide tend to be less favorable than those from smaller community banks or online-only banks. To obtain a competitive rate at a large bank, customers might need to open more accounts or satisfy elevated minimum deposit thresholds.
CD rates news 2025
Experienced investors understand that Certificate of Deposit (CD) market rates closely follow the monetary policy choices made by The Federal Reserve, especially adjustments to the fed funds rate. Individuals interested in CD investments should educate themselves on central bank policy shifts to grasp fluctuations in CD yields.
From January to August 2025, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) maintained the federal funds rate at its existing level. Subsequently, during their meeting on September 16-17, the FOMC declared a decrease of one-quarter of a percentage point, adjusting the federal funds rate to 4.00%-4.25%. Two additional Fed meetings are planned for the remainder of the year, with the upcoming session slated for October 28-29.
The Federal Reserve reduced interest rates on three occasions in 2024, with the final adjustment occurring at the December FOMC gathering, resulting in rates between 4.25% and 4.50%. These decisions were prompted by a slowdown in U.S. Inflation, as the Fed sought to bolster the American economy through more affordable borrowing. Consequently, CD rates declined from their peak levels seen in the preceding two decades.
The exceptionally elevated CD returns observed were a direct consequence of the Federal Reserve's assertive increases to interest rates throughout 2022 and 2023. From March 2022 through July 2023, the FOMC implemented 11 rate adjustments, moving the benchmark from zero to a target range of 5.25%-5.50%. These elevated rates by The Fed were a strategic measure to curb the most significant inflation figures recorded since the 1980s, which stemmed from pandemic-induced economic disturbances.
It's important to remember that current CD rates are still quite close to their highest points. Savers can still find attractive rates for both shorter and longer CD terms. Placing a substantial amount of money into a CD can result in significant interest income.
Historical CD rates
During the early 1980s, CD yields climbed to double-digit figures, a stark difference from the diminished returns expected in 2025. However, by 2019, the annual percentage yield for a five-year CD barely surpassed 3.00%.
During the initial years of the 2020s, rates climbed past 5.00% while the economy navigated the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, five years onward, CD rates are showing signs of settling between 3.00% and 4.00%.
How to get a good CD rate
To figure out what makes a "good" CD rate suitable, you need to balance attractive yields with how long you're willing to commit your funds. For instance, if you're considering a 5-year certificate offering 5.00% APY, it's a good move only if you're confident you won't require access to the money before maturity and you don't anticipate a rise in interest rates.
Key factors to evaluate when comparing CDs include:
- Term length: Ensure it aligns with your savings objectives and time frame.
- APY: Typically, higher rates are offered for longer terms.
- Minimum deposit: Confirm that you can meet the required initial balance.
- Penalties: Understand the costs associated with early withdrawal before maturity.
- Deposit insurance: Verify that the bank is Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)- or National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)insured to keep your money secure.
Online banks often promote the best CD rates; however, it's crucial to check their minimum balance stipulations and any applicable fees. Choosing a bank over a broker might help you bypass extra costs.
Explore what online banks provide
Fintech companies and digital banks typically provide better rates compared to traditional banks. Major financial corporations earn 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 online banks incur reduced operational expenses, enabling them to provide more favorable interest rates on deposits.
Set up a CD ladder
CD ladders suit savers who don't want to lock away money for extended durations. Distributing savings among CDs with different maturity dates allows for both immediate access and better long-term interest earnings.
Begin by placing $3,000 into three Certificates of Deposit (CDs) with staggered maturity dates: one year, two years, and three years. When each CD matures, reinvest the principal and any earned interest into a new three-year CD. This approach ensures you can access your funds annually, along with the interest they've generated.
Explore the various types of CDs
There are several types of CDs available to cater to different financial needs:
- Brokered CDs are acquired and traded via brokerage accounts, as opposed to directly from financial institutions like banks or credit unions. They frequently offer superior APYs because they originate from banks before being distributed to brokerages.
- Callable CDs offers a feature enabling the issuing institution to end the CD prior to its scheduled maturity. Should this option be utilized, investors will be reimbursed their principal along with any interest accumulated up to the call date.
- Bump-up CDs lets you ask for a better APY if rates go up after you've opened the account. Usually, you're able to change the rate one or two times while the CD is active.
- No-penalty CDs early withdrawals prior to maturity incur no penalties. This type is less frequently encountered and might provide diminished APYs when contrasted with conventional CDs.
- Jumbo CDs require a substantial minimum deposit, often starting at $100,000 or more. They generally offer higher APYs than standard CDs.
- Variable-rate CDs offer an annual percentage yield that fluctuates based on current interest rates. These certificates of deposit involve greater risk compared to standard CDs, as a drop in interest rates before their maturity date could lead to a reduced return.
Cassie Bottorff, a former Coins2Day editor, developed a series focusing on daily CD rates. Glen Luke Flanagan, Editor, Evergreen Content, has since updated this particular edition.
