If you’re aiming to avoid risk while earning a return, certificates of deposit (CDs) are a good consideration. Traditional CDs offer a guaranteed rate of return, but they come with one requirement: Money can’t be withdrawn from the CD until its maturity date.

One type of alternative CD, however, is a callable CD, which can be closed by the issuer before its maturity date and often feature above-average interest rates. Callable CDs have disadvantages, too, so it’s important to understand how they work.

What is a callable CD?

The bank or brokerage firm that offers the callable CD can call or redeem the CD earlier than its maturity date. Customers who invest in a callable CD are most at risk of the bank taking back the CD early if interest rates suddenly drop. The CD is less likely to be called if interest rates go up.

If your CD is redeemed before it reaches maturity, you will still receive your full principal and the interest it has earned up to that point. However, you won’t earn all the interest you initially planned for and will have to reinvest somewhere else — potentially at a lower rate.

The callable feature can only be enacted by the issuer. In other words, if you invest money in a callable CD, you are unable to access the funds early without incurring an early withdrawal penalty.

Callable CDs are less common than traditional CDs and may be harder to come by.

How callable CDs work

Callable CDs work like most other CDs. They can be opened at a financial institution or brokerage firm, and you deposit money into them for a specified period of time. As a customer, you wait until the CD reaches maturity to withdraw or renew it, or until the issuer calls the CD early.

Example

You decide to deposit $15,000 in a four-year callable CD that earns interest at 3 percent. With your earning power, you should have more than $1,882 of earnings at the end of the term. After two years, however, the issuer decides to use its call feature. You’ll get back your principal, plus $913.50 worth of interest earnings, but you’ll need to find another investing option.

Maturity date vs. callable date

The maturity date is when the certificate of deposit reaches the end of its term. For example, a four-year certificate of deposit opened on July 1, 2022 will mature on July 1, 2026. Callable CDs come in a wide range of terms — as long as 20 years.

The callable date refers to the date when the issuer has the right to close out a CD earlier than its maturity date. There is typically a noncall period, which prevents the issuer from calling too early (typically six months to five years).

Make sure you inquire about the callable date If you’re thinking about opening a callable CD ask about the callable date, so you understand when the issuer can decide that time’s up.

Where to open a callable CD

Callable CDs are offered through some banks and brokerage firms, although callable CDs are not advertised at many of the major national banks. Make sure that the issuer is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC).

Since there is always the possibility that you will need to withdraw cash before the CD matures, check to see what kind of early withdrawal fees the issuer charges.

Pros and cons of callable CDs

Pros

  • Higher interest rates: Rates on callable CDs are typically higher than the yields paid on traditional CDs.
  • Fixed interest rates: Like traditional CDs, callable CDs pay fixed interest rates, which means that the CD’s rate isn’t affected by market changes. Fixed rates also mean, however, that a CD’s rate can’t increase, even when the Federal Reserve hikes interest rates.
  • Principal is protected: Even if the issuer redeems the CD early, you won’t lose any of the original investment, thanks to FDIC insurance.

Cons

  • Not a guaranteed term: With callable CDs, you will have to plan for the possibility that it might be called earlier than the maturity date and find a different investment for that money.
  • Requires more investment strategy: If the issuer calls your CD, interest rates have likely declined, which means you’re going to struggle to find similar earning potential. For example, if a 10-year CD is called four years into the term, you’d need to figure out how to make up for those earnings for the six years lost.
  • Potential early withdrawal penalty: You will likely have to pay a penalty if you take money from the account before the CD’s maturity date.

Bottom line

Callable CDs may be a good option for low-risk investors that are looking to earn higher returns on a CD. There is a chance the CD will be redeemed before it reaches maturity, but you won’t risk losing your original investment.

There are other alternative CD types to explore, as well, such as no-penalty CDs, which allow you to withdraw the money early without paying a fee.

–Freelance writer David McMillin contributed to a previous version of this article.