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Best 18-month CD rates - October 2023

Best available rates across different account types for Monday, October 02, 2023

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Bankrate’s picks for the top 18-month CD rates

Popular Direct

Popular Direct_logo
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0

Overview

Popular Direct CDs are for established savers, since the CDs have a $10,000 minimum deposit requirement. The CDs come in eight fixed terms, ranging from three months to five years.

Popular Direct’s High-Rise savings account offers a competitive yield and requires a $5,000 minimum deposit. All Popular Direct deposit accounts are opened through Popular Bank.
Invest Rate
5.45% APY
Loan
$10,000 minimum deposit

Limelight Bank

Limelight Bank_logo
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4

Overview

Limelight Bank is an online-only bank that’s a division of Capital Community Bank. It’s known for supporting eco-friendly causes such as solar initiatives.

The bank offers four CD terms ranging from six months to three years. A minimum deposit of $1,000 is required. Limelight doesn’t offer any types of bank accounts other than CDs.
Invest Rate
5.35% APY
Loan
$1,000 minimum deposit

Capital One

Capital One_logo
Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
4.9

Overview

Capital One, based in McLean, Virginia, is an online bank that also has hundreds of branches.

Capital One offers nine competitive terms of regular CDs. Capital One’s CDs and 360 Performance Savings account don’t have minimum balance requirements.
Invest Rate
5.25% APY
Loan
$0 minimum deposit

CIBC Bank USA

CIBC Bank USA_logo
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1

Overview

CIBC Bank USA, formerly The PrivateBank and Trust Co., was founded in 1991 and is based in Chicago. It was rebranded as CIBC Bank USA.

CIBC has 12 CD terms, ranging from 30 days to five years. The minimum deposit to open a CD is $1,000. Also offered are a savings account, a money market account and three checking accounts.
Invest Rate
5.17% APY
Loan
$1,000 minimum deposit

Ally Bank

Ally Bank_logo
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6

Overview

Ally Bank is an online-only bank formerly known as GMAC Bank. Ally offers seven terms of CDs, a no-penalty CD and two terms of a Raise Your Rate CD.

The Sandy, Utah-based bank also offers a savings account, an interest-bearing checking account and a money market account. Ally has 2.5 million customers with deposit accounts.
Invest Rate
5.15% APY
Loan
$0 minimum deposit

Sallie Mae Bank

Sallie Mae Bank_logo
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview

Sallie Mae Bank offers 11 terms of CDs, a savings account, money market account, credit cards and private student loans. It offers a competitive yield on its deposit products.

Established in 2005, Sallie Mae Bank is headquartered in Salt Lake City. In 2014, Sallie Mae became a stand-alone consumer banking business.
Invest Rate
5.15% APY
Loan
$2,500 minimum deposit

First Internet Bank of Indiana

First Internet Bank of Indiana_logo
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6

Overview

First Internet Bank of Indiana is an FDIC-insured financial institution that operates online and has no branches. It opened in 1999 and offers products in all 50 states.

First Internet Bank offers eight terms of CDs, a money market savings account with a competitive yield, a savings account and two checking accounts.
Invest Rate
5.07% APY
Loan
$1,000 minimum deposit

Alliant Credit Union

Alliant Credit Union_logo
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview

Alliant Credit Union was founded in 1935 as the United Airlines Employees’ Credit Union. It is one of the largest credit unions in Illinois and has 600,000 members nationwide.

Alliant offers six terms of CDs with competitive APYs and a reasonable minimum deposit requirement. It also offers IRA CDs, a high-yield savings account and a high-yield checking account.
Invest Rate
5.05% APY
Loan
$1,000 minimum deposit

Barclays Bank

Barclays Bank_logo
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8

Overview

Barclays was founded in London more than 300 years ago. Barclays has no minimum balance requirements to open an online CD. It offers nine CD terms ranging from three months to five years. A savings account is also available.
Invest Rate
5.00% APY
Loan
$0 minimum deposit

Discover Bank

Discover Bank_logo
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3

Overview

Discover Bank may be known for its credit cards, but it also offers a wide selection of banking products. It has been offering deposit products online since 2007.

Discover Bank offers CDs ranging in terms from three months to 10 years. It also offers checking, money market and savings accounts.
Invest Rate
5.00% APY
Loan
$2,500 minimum deposit

LendingClub Bank

LendingClub Bank_logo
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2

Overview

LendingClub is an online bank that offers six terms of CDs ranging from six months to five years. A $2,500 minimum deposit is required.

In addition to CDs, LendingClub offers a high-yield savings account and a rewards checking account.
Invest Rate
5.00% APY
Loan
$2,500 minimum deposit

What is an 18-month CD?

With a CD, you agree to leave your money in the account for a set period of time — in this case, 18 months. In return for your commitment to leave the money alone, you receive a higher yield than you would earn in a savings account.

With an 18-month CD, your annual percentage yield (APY) is locked in, so you don’t have to worry about your bank potentially lowering the rate on your account.

An 18-month CD can be ideal for setting aside money for short-term goals, such as going on vacation or saving for a car down payment. You can also use an 18-month CD to build a CD ladder.

Here are the top widely available 18-month CD rates. Compare these offers, then calculate how much interest you would earn when your CD matures.

How to find the best 18-month CD rates

An 18-month CD is a low-risk investment. But before you purchase one, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into.

Ask if you’ll have to maintain a certain balance to earn the APY. While you’re at it, find out how often you’ll receive the interest you’re earning from your bank or credit union. That way, it’ll be easier to hit your savings target or another financial goal.

Don’t assume that the best 18-month CD rates are found at your current bank. Instead, compare CDs online.

Finding the best 18-month CD may take some time. Besides the interest rate, you’ll need to compare early withdrawal penalties and minimum deposit requirements. Also, find out whether you’ll be responsible for any fees.

18-month CD FAQs

Bankrate’s methodology for choosing the best CD rates

At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is unbiased and not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Bankrate regularly surveys around 70 widely available financial institutions, made up of the biggest banks and credit unions, as well as a number of popular online banks.

To find the best CDs, our editorial team analyzes various factors, such as: annual percentage yield (APY), the minimum needed to earn that APY (or to open the CD) and whether or not it is broadly available. All of the accounts on this page are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. or the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund.

When selecting the best CD for you, consider the purpose of the money and when you’ll need access to these funds to help you avoid early withdrawal penalties.

Banks we monitor

These financial institutions are featured in our CD rate research: Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amerant Bank, America First Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Axos Bank, Bank 5 Connect, Bank of America, Barclays, Bask Bank, BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union), Bethpage Federal Credit Union, BMO Harris Bank, Bread Financial (formerly Comenity Direct), BrioDirect, Capital One Bank, Chase Bank, CIBC USA, CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank (Rhode Island), Comerica Bank, Customers Bank, Delta Community Credit Union, Discover Bank, Emigrant Direct, Fifth Third Bank, First Citizens Bank, First Internet Bank, First Technology Federal Credit Union, FNBO Direct, Golden 1 Credit Union, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Huntington National Bank, Investors Bank, KeyBank, LegacyTexas Bank, Limelight Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, MySavingsDirect, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC Bank, PenFed Credit Union, PNC Bank, Popular Direct, Purepoint Financial, Quontic Bank, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union, Regions Bank, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, State Employees’ Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, TD Bank, TIAA Bank, Truist Bank, UFB Direct, U.S. Bank, USAA Bank, Vio Bank, VyStar Credit Union, Wells Fargo and Zions Bank.