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Best 6-month CD rates for April 2025

Written by
Karen Bennett
Edited by
Marc Wojno, MBA
Reviewed by
Greg McBride, CFA

Rates updated between April 14 and April 20

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For many savers, a six-month certificate of deposit (CD) is the sweet-spot term, enabling them to tuck away money long enough to earn a higher rate while still providing a shorter withdrawal horizon than CDs that require a commitment of one year or more. Six months isn't a long time, but it's long enough to help put you on track toward your savings goals.

Current 6-month CD trends

Caret Up Icon Caret Down Icon
Bankrate Partner average
4.08% APY
National average
1.91% APY
Info Icon
CD rates remain high, but are projected to move lower.
The Fed is predicted to continue cutting rates in 2025. Read more from Bankrate's experts in our CD rates forecast.
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Bankrate's picks for the best 6-month CD rates

Note: Annual percentage yields (APYs) shown were updated between April 14 and April 20. Bankrate's editorial team validates this information regularly, typically biweekly. APYs may have changed since they were last updated and may vary by region for some products. Bankrate includes only FDIC banks or NCUA credit unions in its listings.

Limelight Bank_logo

Limelight Bank

Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4 Bankrate CD score

  • Annual percentage yield

    4.35%

  • Min. deposit to open

    $1,000

Why Limelight Bank?

Limelight Bank is an online-only bank that supports solar initiatives funded by its deposits. It offers a competitive six-month CD and three other CDs with terms between one and three years, all of which require a minimum $1,000 deposit. Limelight doesn’t offer any types of bank accounts other than CDs.

Popular Direct_logo

Popular Direct

Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0 Bankrate CD score

  • Annual percentage yield

    4.35%

  • Min. deposit to open

    $10,000

Why Popular Direct?

Popular Direct offers CDs in terms of up to five years with consistently high APYs, including its six-month CD. However, the bank’s minimum opening deposit requirement of $10,000 is among the highest for online-only banks.

Rising Bank_logo

Rising Bank

Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0 Bankrate CD score

  • Annual percentage yield

    4.30%

  • Min. deposit to open

    $1,000

Why Rising Bank?

Rising Bank’s six-month CD earns a highly competitive rate, and the bank offers four additional standard CDs with terms of up to three years. Other CD options include a two-year jumbo CD and two bump-up CDs with terms of 18 and 26 months. Also available are interest checking and high-yield savings accounts.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs_logo

Marcus by Goldman Sachs

Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5
4.9 Bankrate CD score

  • Annual percentage yield

    4.20%

  • Min. deposit to open

    $500

Why Marcus by Goldman Sachs?

Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers nine terms of standard CDs that earn stellar rates, including its six-month CD. You’ll also find three terms of no-penalty CDs as well as a 20-month rate bump CD. All CDs require a minimum opening deposit of $500.

First Internet Bank of Indiana_logo

First Internet Bank of Indiana

Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1 Bankrate CD score

  • Annual percentage yield

    4.15%

  • Min. deposit to open

    $1,000

Why First Internet Bank of Indiana?

In addition to its six-month CD, First Internet Bank of Indiana offers seven other CDs that range from three months to five years. They all earn rates well above national averages and require a minimum opening deposit of $1,000. Early withdrawal penalties for terms above 18 months are steep.

Vio Bank_logo

Vio Bank

Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2 Bankrate CD score

  • Annual percentage yield

    4.10%

  • Min. deposit to open

    $500

Why Vio Bank?

A six-month CD from Vio Bank currently earns one of the highest yields around. The bank offers a wide range of CD terms of up to 10 years, with terms of up to one year earning the highest APYs. The minimum deposit is relatively low at $500.

Alliant Credit Union_logo

Alliant Credit Union

Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2 Bankrate CD score

  • Annual percentage yield

    4.10%

  • Min. deposit to open

    $1,000

Why Alliant Credit Union?

Alliant Credit Union operates entirely online and is easy for anyone to join. Its certificates come in eight terms, including a six-month option that earns a high yield. Each requires a minimum opening deposit of $1,000. Alliant also offers traditional and Roth IRA certificates.

Lightbulb Icon

In the news

During the Federal Reserve’s meeting on March 18-19, officials chose to hold rates steady, leaving the target range for the federal funds rate at 4.25–4.50 percent. This was the second consecutive rate-setting meeting during which the Fed left rates unchanged, after it lowered rates three times in late 2024.

In remarks following the latest rate decision, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell cited the new presidential administration’s policy changes regarding trade, immigration, fiscal policy, and regulation. He stated that the net effect of these changes could impact the economy and monetary policy, but added “uncertainty around the changes and their effects on the economic outlook is high.”

Competitive CD rates tend to move in lockstep with Fed rate changes. While there has been stability in some CD APYs since the Fed’s holding pattern began in January, how the Fed may change rates in 2025 — and how much it could impact CD rates — remains to be seen. Right now, CDs with shorter terms often earn higher APYs than their longer-term counterparts. Some six-month CDs currently earn APYs similar to those of top-yielding savings accounts.

How to find the best 6-month CD rates

Traditionally, CDs with longer maturities offer higher yields. But in this current rate environment, shorter-term CDs are proving to have the highest yields.

The top rates on deposit accounts such as CDs can often be found from online-only banks. Without the overhead costs of branches, these banks can sometimes afford to offer higher APYs. What’s more, some newer online banks may shell out higher APYs to attract depositors from long-established brick-and-mortar banks.

In addition to a competitive APY, you’ll also want to consider minimum deposit requirements and early withdrawal penalties.

The advantage of a six-month CD is that you know you’ll be able to access the money in a shorter time frame. Since a CD typically has an early withdrawal penalty, you have to be willing to keep your money in the CD until the end of the term or lose out on some of the interest earnings.

When should you get a 6-month CD?

A six-month CD can be a good investment for those who are able to leave their money untouched for half a year, as CDs have early withdrawal penalties that eat into your interest — and possibly even your principal — if you pull out your money early.

If you’re unsure about when you’ll need access to your money, a high-yield savings account at a federally insured bank or credit union is likely a smarter place for your money. Whatever type of deposit account you choose, make sure you’re within the guidelines and limits set forth by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

Determining if a CD should be part of your portfolio depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Probably the most important is the time horizon of the specific dollars in question. Since CDs offering the highest rates typically have an early withdrawal penalty, it’s key to be clear on when you need the money. Time horizon, plus the interest rate and penalty comparison between short- and long-term will be your determining factors.
Bankrate logo Sean Mason, Investment Advisor Representative, Fresno Financial Advisors

Alternatives to 6-month CDs

When considering a six-month CD, compare it to other available accounts to determine when other options might be a better decision. Some alternatives to consider:

  • Savings accounts: With a savings account, you won’t face the early withdrawal penalties like you do if you break your six-month CD before it matures. But savings accounts have variable rates so your return isn’t guaranteed like it is with a CD
  • Money market accounts: These savings accounts allow you to access your money in ways that you can’t with a CD, including check-writing and ATM withdrawals. Currently, some high-yield six-month CDs and high-yielding money market accounts earn similar APYs.
  • Consider a longer-term CD: If guaranteed yields are calling you, you can also consider a longer-term CD, if it works for your savings goals. The longer you keep your money invested, the more interest you’ll earn.

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 six-month CD rates, we regularly survey six-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 a six-month CD and their minimum deposit requirements. Only banks and credit unions with broadly available CDs made the list. Learn more about our methodology for reviewing banks.