Banking
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Explore banking basics
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How to open a certificate of deposit (CD)
Banking
Everything you need to know about opening an account.
![Woman sitting outside of restaurant looking at cell phone](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/02/15095640/How-to-save-money-from-scratch.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
How to start saving (even if you’re starting from scratch)
Banking
Getting into the habit of paying yourself first is hard. Here are some ideas to help you start.
![Two millenial friends using mobile phone.](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2023/11/20014206/How-to-transfer-money-from-one-bank-to-another.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
How to transfer money from one bank to another: 4 ways
Banking
Keep fees in check when you shift money from one bank account to another.
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Editor's picks
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Experts in all things banking
Our expert reporters and editors bring the news and analysis you need—backed by data and firsthand experience.
About Bankrate![Greg McBride](https://www.bankrate.com/f/102997/284x296/e82ff353b1/br-expert-greg.png?auto=webp&optimize=high)
Chief Financial Analyst
![Sarah Foster](https://www.bankrate.com/f/102997/284x296/7fb8678166/br-expert-sarah.png?auto=webp&optimize=high)
Principal U.S. Economy Reporter
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Senior Economic Analyst
Banking data studies
![Money next to flashing sirens](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/02/15173759/Banking-Emergency-Savings-Survey.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
New Bankrate data shows the economy is making it harder for Americans to save.
![Piggy bank with doctors equipment. Cute and comical](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/07/12173049/Banking_FHE_Why_Im_scheduling_a_mid_year_financial_checkup_with_myself_and_how_Im_doing_it.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
I’m a personal finance reporter — here’s how I did a mid-year financial checkup in under an hour
Banking
A mid-year checkup is the most effective way to ensure my finances are on track.
![And elderly couple discussing HYSA options](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/03/13131722/Deposits_March_FSP_High_yield_Savings.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
Two-thirds of American savers say they’re earning rates below 4% APY. Here’s why.
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Latest articles
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Walk away with stacks of cash just for opening a checking or savings account.
![exterior of Bank of America branch building](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/04/04114341/Are-banks-open-today-Federal-bank-holidays-in-2022.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Knowing bank holiday schedules can help you avoid delays on necessary transactions.
![young man falling out of the sky along with various household items and cash](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/04/25184426/Inflation-update-Whats-rising-and-whats-falling.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
You might not feel better about inflation because prices are still up post-pandemic.
![man working on a laptop](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/09/07152504/How-to-avoid-a-CD-early-withdrawal-penalty.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Withdrawing your money from a CD before the term ends can be costly.
![Woman reaching in to the air for cash](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/06/25180055/Inflation-explainer-What-is-inflation_.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Prices rise and fall all the time in the U.S. economy. It’s not always inflation.
![Serious young woman working at home](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/09/20164708/emergency-funds-and-inflation.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
It’s possible to leverage the money in your CDs to grow your emergency savings.
![People walking back and forth in front of Capital One Bank entrance.](https://www.bankrate.com/2017/10/20124405/best-big-banks-in-us-capital-one-bank-mst.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
A CFPB lawsuit claims Capital One underpaid savings account interest by $2 billion.
![Image showing a dumbbell wrapped with U.S. dollar bills](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2025/01/10103218/Banking-How-to-keep-your-New-Years-Resolution-from-breaking-your-budget.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
If your New Year’s goal is to practice self-care, use these tips to stay on budget.
![Side view of man jogging in city](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/10/16155031/6-tips-to-set-and-hit-your-savings-goals.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
If you’re looking to become a better saver, here are some tips for setting savings goals.
![Happy woman reacting to news from her laptop](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/06/06174250/GettyImages-1306153899.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Here are five ways automatic transfers can make growing your savings easy.
![Whimsical illustration of a hand putting a quarter into a miniature but realistic high end safe. As if it were a piggy bank](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/08/05141131/What-is-the-average-interest-rate-for-savings-accounts_.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Comparing savings rates can ensure you get the best return on your savings.
![Financial manager meeting with couple in bank branch office](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/05/31124754/Deposits-Average-money-market-account-interest-rate.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Get the latest rates on top-yielding money market accounts.
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Here’s how to boost your savings.
![Money next to flashing sirens](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/02/15173759/Banking-Emergency-Savings-Survey.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
New Bankrate data shows the economy is making it harder for Americans to save.
![Elderly woman connected to the internet at home](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/08/08095431/how-to-protect-savings-high-inflation.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Here are ways to save money and improve financial health in times of inflation.
![man sitting on the couch at home working on his laptop](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/05/27101323/4-tips-for-managing-multiple-bank-accounts.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Having multiple bank accounts has its perks but keeping them organized is key.
![Woman watering plants.](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/03/20194528/Current_CD_rates.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Check out the latest CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of banks and thrifts.
![Young Asian woman using smartphone while relaxing on armchair, checking her bank account via online banking and managing her finances. Online personal banking. Wealth management. Digital banking habits. Smart banking with technology](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/09/20145521/here-are-the-benefits-of-opening-a-cd-right-now-following-the-fed-s-rate-cut.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Know the two major benefits of opening a CD now, even as interest rates decline.
![Cropped shot of a businessman using his computer in his home office](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/10/04113118/which-cd-term-is-best-in-a-lower-rate-environment.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Find out which CD term is best for your financial goals in a lower rate environment.
![Couple looking at laptop while sitting on sofa at home](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/09/16144258/5-cds-to-consider-before-a-fed-rate-cut.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
As the Fed is cutting interest rates, consider these certificates of deposit (CDs)
![Man using cell phone in living room](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/08/04092301/The-best-places-to-keep-your-emergency-fund.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Learn how CD ladders and partial withdrawals can be used to fund emergency savings.
![CDs and money](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/09/22174219/Desposits-Best-business-CD-rates-for-November-2024.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
These seven banks and credit unions offer competitive rates on CDs for businesses.
![man working on a laptop](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/09/07152504/How-to-avoid-a-CD-early-withdrawal-penalty.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Withdrawing your money from a CD before the term ends can be costly.
![Serious young woman working at home](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/09/20164708/emergency-funds-and-inflation.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
It’s possible to leverage the money in your CDs to grow your emergency savings.
![Bank teller with customer](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/01/03103328/Untitled-101.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
These credit unions offer great rates and top-notch features — and many make it easy to join.
![A man researches on a tablet.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/07/07171757/cds-vs-mmas.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
CDs and MMAs can pay competitive rates, but they have different drawbacks and benefits.
![Man working on laptop and drinking coffee](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/05/01122348/GettyImages-1364881817.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Money market funds are available from several different brokers and fund managers.
![A graphic of origami of a dollar bill folded to look like a piggy bank with a penny on top.](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2025/01/01225713/Central-savings-money-market-account-rate-forecast.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Expect savings and money market account yields to slide lower, but they still should outpace inflation
![A man researches online.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/02/12103948/5-reasons-why-you-should-get-a-mma.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Looking for a place to park your savings? Here’s why a MMA might be appealing.
![A young woman researches on her phone at a cafe.](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/04/23155535/are-mmas-safe.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Short answer? Yes. Here’s what you need to know.
![Woman using mobile phone at the bar](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/07/09151141/Whats-the-difference-between-a-money-market-account-and-a-money-market-fund.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
These accounts sound similar, but there are some key differences to know.
![Asian women using laptop computer at home working space.](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/07/19151307/Background-21.png?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
CD terms can range from three months to five years. Learn which one is right for you.
![Women using tablet](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/05/19152145/online-checking.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Online checking accounts stand out for different features. Here’s our top picks.
![Person using credit card at laptop](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/03/16120246/GettyImages-1215383987.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Here’s what you need to know about interest checking accounts.
![Business man hand writing and signing white blank bank check book](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/09/05181348/how-to-endorse-a-check.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
We list seven ways to endorse a check and how to process it correctly and securely.
![Young Woman Checking Her Finances At Home](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/03/28200222/Where-is-the-account-number-on-a-check.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Finding the account number on a check is easy — if you know where to look.
![A young woman works from her laptop.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/10/23135104/why-balance-your-checkbook.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Balancing your checking account may sound dated, but it still makes sense.
![close up of hands signing a check](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/06/08161719/How-to-write-a-check.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Checks aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, but you may still have to write one.
![Young woman withdrawing money using phone at the ATM machine on the street in Budapest in Hungary.](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2023/11/14094657/checking-account-fees-what-they-are-and-how-to-avoid-them.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Here are simple steps to take to avoid paying checking account fees.
![Capital One Bank signage in New York City](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/04/05145443/banks-that-eliminated-overdraft-fees.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Banks are cutting overdraft fees in response to consumers and regulators’ demands.