Can you lose money in a CD?

If you’re looking to protect your principal from bank failures, your money is safe in a CD if you’re within federal insurance limits and guidelines. Double-check that your CD is in a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) or in a credit union that’s part of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). NCUA credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). These entities insure deposits against failure, protecting your money up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, and per account ownership type (e.g., joint vs. single).But if you withdraw money out of a CD before it matures, you will likely have to pay an early withdrawal fee, such as a few months’ worth of interest — and it’s possible for an early withdrawal penalty to also eat into a CD’s principal.

Best 18-month CD rates for May 2026

Written by

Karen Bennett

Edited by

Yuliya Goldshteyn

Reviewed by

Robert R. Johnson

Expert verified

Rates updated between May 8 and May 14

At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. Though our partners compensate us from links on this page, we maintain editorial integrity, and partners don't influence our product evaluations. Here's how we make money and here is our advertiser disclosure.

Deciding where to stick your savings can be tricky. An 18-month CD offers the best of both worlds: a higher yield than a standard savings account and a relatively brief term. An 18-month CD might be a suitable term for saving for a down payment on a house or a new car.

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See how we pick our picks: Read our best 18-month CD rates research methodology

Table of contents

Bankrate’s picks for the top 18-month CD rates
Recent news about 18-month CD rates
How to find the best 18-month CD rates
18-month CD FAQs
Alternatives to 18-month CDs
Research methodology

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

Read review

BTG Pactual Bank

4.1 Bankrate CD score

Annual percentage yield

4.09%
Min. deposit to open

$500
Term

18 months

Why BTG Pactual Bank?

BTG Pactual (which acquired M.Y. Safra Bank), offers competitive CD rates across the board, including for its 18-month CD. Plus, the minimum deposit requirement is $500, lower than what many other banks require. If you think you might need your money earlier, the bank offers a 13-month no-penalty CD.

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.35% APY	$500
6 months	3.85% APY	$500
9 months	4.00% APY	$500
1 year	4.00% APY	$500
18 months	4.09% APY	$500
2 years	4.16% APY	$500
3 years	4.13% APY	$500
4 years	4.13% APY	$500
5 years	4.15% APY	$500

Read review

Sallie Mae

4.2 Bankrate CD score

Annual percentage yield

4.00%
Min. deposit to open

$2,500
Term

18 months

Why Sallie Mae?

Originally founded to service student loans, Sallie Mae now provides a suite of quality financial products. Sallie Mae offers 11 terms of CDs, including some lengths that aren’t common at other banks, such as 15 and 30 months. The opening deposit is steep at $2,500, but savers will be rewarded with an excellent rate.

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.35% APY	$500
6 months	3.85% APY	$500
9 months	4.00% APY	$500
1 year	4.00% APY	$500
18 months	4.09% APY	$500
2 years	4.16% APY	$500
3 years	4.13% APY	$500
4 years	4.13% APY	$500
5 years	4.15% APY	$500

Term	APY	Min. deposit
6 months	3.20% APY	$2,500
9 months	3.20% APY	$2,500
11 months	3.70% APY	$2,500
1 year	3.80% APY	$2,500
13 months	4.00% APY	$2,500
15 months	3.80% APY	$2,500
18 months	4.00% APY	$2,500
2 years	3.85% APY	$2,500
30 months	3.90% APY	$2,500
3 years	3.95% APY	$2,500
5 years	4.00% APY	$2,500

Read review

Vio Bank

4.1 Bankrate CD score

Annual percentage yield

3.95%
Min. deposit to open

$500
Term

18 months

Why Vio Bank?

Vio Bank offers traditional CDs with terms for its standard CDs ranging from six months to 10 years, an extensive variety compared to some other banks. The minimum deposit for each account is relatively low at $500. Yields are the most competitive for CDs with terms of three years or less.

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.35% APY	$500
6 months	3.85% APY	$500
9 months	4.00% APY	$500
1 year	4.00% APY	$500
18 months	4.09% APY	$500
2 years	4.16% APY	$500
3 years	4.13% APY	$500
4 years	4.13% APY	$500
5 years	4.15% APY	$500

Term	APY	Min. deposit
6 months	3.90% APY	$500
9 months	3.90% APY	$500
1 year	3.80% APY	$500
18 months	3.95% APY	$500
2 years	3.50% APY	$500
3 years	3.50% APY	$500
4 years	2.75% APY	$500
5 years	2.75% APY	$500

Read review

Limelight Bank

4.1 Bankrate CD score

Annual percentage yield

3.90%
Min. deposit to open

$1,000
Term

18 months

Why Limelight Bank?

Limelight Bank is an online-only bank based in Utah but offers its savings products nationwide. It has a high-yielding 18-month CD as well as competitive rates on its five additional terms, which range from six months to five years. A minimum deposit of $1,000 is required.

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.35% APY	$500
6 months	3.85% APY	$500
9 months	4.00% APY	$500
1 year	4.00% APY	$500
18 months	4.09% APY	$500
2 years	4.16% APY	$500
3 years	4.13% APY	$500
4 years	4.13% APY	$500
5 years	4.15% APY	$500

Term	APY	Min. deposit
6 months	4.08% APY	$1,000
1 year	4.03% APY	$1,000
18 months	3.90% APY	$1,000
2 years	3.80% APY	$1,000
3 years	3.65% APY	$1,000
5 years	3.30% APY	$1,000

Read review

Popular Direct

3.5 Bankrate CD score

Annual percentage yield

3.90%
Min. deposit to open

$10,000
Term

18 months

Why Popular Direct?

Popular Direct, an online bank and subsidiary of Popular Inc., a more than 130-year-old financial services company, offers competitive rates on a lot of its CDs, including its 18-month CD. You can open a CD ranging anywhere from three months to five years at this bank. But you'll need a good amount of savings to do — the minimum deposit requirement of $10,000 is on the steep side, especially compared to other online banks.

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.35% APY	$500
6 months	3.85% APY	$500
9 months	4.00% APY	$500
1 year	4.00% APY	$500
18 months	4.09% APY	$500
2 years	4.16% APY	$500
3 years	4.13% APY	$500
4 years	4.13% APY	$500
5 years	4.15% APY	$500

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.90% APY	$10,000
6 months	4.10% APY	$10,000
1 year	4.05% APY	$10,000
18 months	3.90% APY	$10,000
2 years	3.85% APY	$10,000
3 years	3.85% APY	$10,000
4 years	3.30% APY	$10,000
5 years	3.30% APY	$10,000

Read review

TAB Bank

4.4 Bankrate CD score

Annual percentage yield

3.87%
Min. deposit to open

$1,000
Term

18 months

Why TAB Bank?

Transportation Alliance Bank (TAB Bank) is an online bank, founded in 1998, that offers an 18-month CD that earns a top-notch rate. And its other five CD terms also earn competitive APYs. Term lengths range from one year to five years, and all CDs require a minimum $1,000 deposit, which is fairly standard (though you can find lower minimums if you need).

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.35% APY	$500
6 months	3.85% APY	$500
9 months	4.00% APY	$500
1 year	4.00% APY	$500
18 months	4.09% APY	$500
2 years	4.16% APY	$500
3 years	4.13% APY	$500
4 years	4.13% APY	$500
5 years	4.15% APY	$500

Term	APY	Min. deposit
1 year	3.90% APY	$1,000
18 months	3.87% APY	$1,000
2 years	3.82% APY	$1,000
3 years	3.75% APY	$1,000
4 years	3.75% APY	$1,000
5 years	3.75% APY	$1,000

Read review

Bread Savings

4.1 Bankrate CD score

Annual percentage yield

3.85%
Min. deposit to open

$1,500
Term

18 months

Why Bread Savings?

Online bank Bread Savings, formerly Comenity Direct, offers CD rate terms from three months to five years. While the rate on the 18-month term is competitive, its lengthier terms get the same rate. Patient savers can earn far more by opting for a longer term thanks to compound interest.

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.35% APY	$500
6 months	3.85% APY	$500
9 months	4.00% APY	$500
1 year	4.00% APY	$500
18 months	4.09% APY	$500
2 years	4.16% APY	$500
3 years	4.13% APY	$500
4 years	4.13% APY	$500
5 years	4.15% APY	$500

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.80% APY	$1,500
6 months	4.00% APY	$1,500
9 months	4.15% APY	$1,500
1 year	3.85% APY	$1,500
18 months	3.85% APY	$1,500
2 years	3.85% APY	$1,500
3 years	3.85% APY	$1,500
4 years	3.85% APY	$1,500
5 years	3.85% APY	$1,500

Read review

Colorado Federal Savings Bank

4.2 Bankrate CD score

Annual percentage yield

3.85%
Min. deposit to open

$5,000
Term

18 months

Why Colorado Federal Savings Bank?

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, Colorado Federal Savings Bank offers a solid APY on its 18-month CDs. You'll also see competitive rates on six other terms plus a no-penalty 11-month CD. However, at $5,000, this option requires a higher investment than many similar CDs.

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.35% APY	$500
6 months	3.85% APY	$500
9 months	4.00% APY	$500
1 year	4.00% APY	$500
18 months	4.09% APY	$500
2 years	4.16% APY	$500
3 years	4.13% APY	$500
4 years	4.13% APY	$500
5 years	4.15% APY	$500

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.50% APY	$5,000
6 months	3.90% APY	$5,000
1 year	4.00% APY	$5,000
18 months	3.85% APY	$5,000
2 years	3.80% APY	$5,000
3 years	3.75% APY	$5,000
5 years	3.60% APY	$5,000

Read review

Marcus by Goldman Sachs

4.8 Bankrate CD score

Annual percentage yield

3.80%
Min. deposit to open

$500
Term

18 months

Why Marcus by Goldman Sachs?

Marcus by Goldman Sachs is the online-only bank division of Goldman Sachs, a global investment bank. The bank offers a wide range of CD terms with consistently high APYs, including its 18-month option. It also offers three no-penalty CDs with competitive rates and a 20-month rate bump CD. All CDs require a minimum opening deposit of $500.

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.35% APY	$500
6 months	3.85% APY	$500
9 months	4.00% APY	$500
1 year	4.00% APY	$500
18 months	4.09% APY	$500
2 years	4.16% APY	$500
3 years	4.13% APY	$500
4 years	4.13% APY	$500
5 years	4.15% APY	$500

Term	APY	Min. deposit
6 months	3.95% APY	$500
7 months	3.75% APY	$500
7 months	3.75% APY	$500
9 months	4.00% APY	$500
11 months	3.80% APY	$500
1 year	3.90% APY	$500
13 months	3.80% APY	$500
13 months	3.80% APY	$500
14 months	4.00% APY	$500
18 months	3.80% APY	$500
20 months	3.75% APY	$500
2 years	3.70% APY	$500
3 years	3.70% APY	$500
4 years	3.70% APY	$500
5 years	3.80% APY	$500
6 years	3.80% APY	$500

Read review

CIBC Bank USA

3.7 Bankrate CD score

Annual percentage yield

3.80%
Min. deposit to open

$1,000
Term

18 months

Why CIBC Bank USA?

CIBC Bank offers only a handful of CD terms, none longer than 30 months. You’ll need $1,000 to open one but you’ll get a competitive rate on the 18-month CD and the other shorter terms.

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.35% APY	$500
6 months	3.85% APY	$500
9 months	4.00% APY	$500
1 year	4.00% APY	$500
18 months	4.09% APY	$500
2 years	4.16% APY	$500
3 years	4.13% APY	$500
4 years	4.13% APY	$500
5 years	4.15% APY	$500

Term	APY	Min. deposit
6 months	3.56% APY	$1,000
9 months	3.90% APY	$1,000
1 year	4.00% APY	$1,000
13 months	3.90% APY	$1,000
18 months	3.80% APY	$1,000
2 years	3.00% APY	$1,000
30 months	3.00% APY	$1,000

Read review

First National Bank of America

4.3 Bankrate CD score

Annual percentage yield

3.80%
Min. deposit to open

$1,000
Term

18 months

Why First National Bank of America?

Headquartered in Michigan, First National Bank of America offers a whopping 14 CD terms, all available online. Terms range from three months to 10 years. All of the CDs have competitive APYs, though you'll need at least $1,000 to open one.

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.35% APY	$500
6 months	3.85% APY	$500
9 months	4.00% APY	$500
1 year	4.00% APY	$500
18 months	4.09% APY	$500
2 years	4.16% APY	$500
3 years	4.13% APY	$500
4 years	4.13% APY	$500
5 years	4.15% APY	$500

Term	APY	Min. deposit
3 months	3.60% APY	$1,000
6 months	3.85% APY	$1,000
7 months	4.05% APY	$1,000
1 year	3.95% APY	$1,000
18 months	3.80% APY	$1,000
2 years	3.80% APY	$1,000
3 years	3.80% APY	$1,000
4 years	3.80% APY	$1,000
5 years	3.80% APY	$1,000
6 years	4.00% APY	$1,000
7 years	4.10% APY	$1,000
8 years	4.10% APY	$1,000
9 years	4.10% APY	$1,000
10 years	4.20% APY	$1,000

Recent news about 18-month CD rates

Competitive CD rates tend to follow the moves of the federal funds rate, which is set by the Federal Reserve. When the federal funds rate goes up or down, so too do the rates banks pay on top CDs, including on 18-month CDs.

The Fed has kept the rate steady so far in 2026 and top CD rates have stayed fairly steady too, especially since inching downward after three rate cuts in late 2025.

How to find the best 18-month CD rates

You will likely find the highest rates on an 18-month CD at an online bank or a credit union. That's because online banks give you this trade-off: higher rates in exchange for giving up access to in-person banking. And credit unions tend to have higher rates than traditional banks because they are non-profit institutions. Their goal isn’t maximizing profits; it’s providing higher savings and lower loan rates to their members.

Expert Insight

Since 18-months is kind of an in-between number when it comes to CDs, you should also do yourself the favor of comparing the rates available on 1-year and 2-year CDs. Then calculate how much interest you would earn when your CD matures with each scenario. You might be better off leaving your money in a longer-term CD if you can swing it.

Yuliya Goldshteyn

Editor, Deposits

Compare: See Bankrate's picks for the best CD rates

18-month CD FAQs

If you’re looking to protect your principal from bank failures, your money is safe in a CD if you’re within federal insurance limits and guidelines. Double-check that your CD is in a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) or in a credit union that’s part of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). NCUA credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). These entities insure deposits against failure, protecting your money up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, and per account ownership type (e.g., joint vs. single).

But if you withdraw money out of a CD before it matures, you will likely have to pay an early withdrawal fee, such as a few months’ worth of interest — and it’s possible for an early withdrawal penalty to also eat into a CD’s principal.

Alternatives to 18-month CDs

1-year CDs

If yields are on the rise or you might need your money sooner, a 1-year CD might be a better option

2-year CDs

If you can stretch not needing your funds for two years instead of 18 months, you could earn more in interest

High-yield savings accounts

You can find high-yield savings accounts that pay rates similar to top-yielding 18-month CDs

Money market accounts

If you’re looking for penalty-free liquidity and accessibility, a money market account can be a good choice

Meet the Bankrate Experts

Written by

Karen Bennett Karen Bennett

Consumer Banking Reporter

Research methodology

Bankrate researches over 100 banks and credit unions, including some of the largest financial institutions, online-only banks, regional banks and credit unions with both open and restrictive membership policies.

To find the best 18-month CD rates, we regularly survey 18-month CD offerings from the banks and credit unions that continually offer the most competitive rates.

The banks and credit unions on this page are selected based on their current APY for an 18-month CD and minimum deposit requirements. In the case of a tie, we choose the CDs that have the lowest minimum deposit requirements and highest Bankrate’s product star ratings. Only banks and credit unions with broadly available CDs made the list. Learn more about how we choose the best banking products and our methodology for reviewing banks.

Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Alto, America First Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Axos Bank, Banesco USA, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, BankUnited Direct, Barclays Bank, Bask Bank, BMO Bank, Boeing Employees’ Credit Union, Bread Savings, BrioDirect, BTG Pactual, Capital One, Cash App, CFG Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase Bank, CIBC Bank USA, CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank, Colorado Federal Savings Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Credit One Bank, Customers Bank, Discover Bank, E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, Emigrant Bank, EverBank, Fifth Third Bank, First Citizens Bank, First Internet Bank, First National Bank of America, First Tech Credit Union, FNBO Direct, Forbright Bank, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, Golden 1 Credit Union, Huntington National Bank, Jenius Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, LendingClub Bank, Limelight Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Mountain America Credit Union, MySavingsDirect, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC Bank, North American Savings Bank, Openbank, Patelco Credit Union, Peak Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Quorum Federal Credit Union, Regions Bank, Rising Bank, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, SoFi, State Employees' Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, Texas Capital Bank, The Federal Savings Bank, Third Federal Savings and Loan, Truist Bank, UFB Direct, US Bank, USAA Bank, Valley Bank, Varo Bank, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo, Western State Bank, Zions Bank, ZYNLO Bank

Best 18-month CD rates for May 2026

How Bankrate works

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Compare rates

Choose an account

Continue to the bank

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

BTG Pactual Bank

Annual percentage yield

Min. deposit to open

Term

Why BTG Pactual Bank?

Current BTG Pactual Bank CD Rates

Sallie Mae

Annual percentage yield

Min. deposit to open

Term

Why Sallie Mae?

Current Sallie Mae CD Rates

Vio Bank

Annual percentage yield

Min. deposit to open

Term

Why Vio Bank?

Current Vio Bank CD Rates

Limelight Bank

Annual percentage yield

Min. deposit to open

Term

Why Limelight Bank?

Current Limelight Bank CD Rates

Popular Direct

Annual percentage yield

Min. deposit to open

Term

Why Popular Direct?

Current Popular Direct CD Rates

TAB Bank

Annual percentage yield

Min. deposit to open

Term

Why TAB Bank?

Current TAB Bank CD Rates

Bread Savings

Annual percentage yield

Min. deposit to open

Term

Why Bread Savings?

Current Bread Savings CD Rates

Colorado Federal Savings Bank

Annual percentage yield

Min. deposit to open

Term

Why Colorado Federal Savings Bank?

Current Colorado Federal Savings Bank CD Rates

Marcus by Goldman Sachs

Annual percentage yield

Min. deposit to open

Term

Why Marcus by Goldman Sachs?

Current Marcus by Goldman Sachs CD Rates

CIBC Bank USA

Annual percentage yield

Min. deposit to open

Term

Why CIBC Bank USA?

Current CIBC Bank USA CD Rates

First National Bank of America

Annual percentage yield

Min. deposit to open

Term

Why First National Bank of America?

Current First National Bank of America CD Rates

Recent news about 18-month CD rates

How to find the best 18-month CD rates

Expert Insight

18-month CD FAQs