Matthew Goldberg is a consumer banking reporter at Bankrate where he uses his more than 14 years of financial services experience to help inform readers about their important personal finance decisions.
Marc Wojno is a seasoned and accomplished finance editor and writer with more than two decades of experience editing and writing across a variety of news platforms including newswires, newsletters, magazines and online news sites.
Greg McBride, CFA, is the Chief Financial Analyst for Bankrate.com, leading a team responsible for researching financial products, providing analysis, and advice on personal finance to a vast consumer audience.
Marc Wojno is a seasoned and accomplished finance editor and writer with more than two decades of experience editing and writing across a variety of news platforms including newswires, newsletters, magazines and online news sites.
Greg McBride, CFA, is the Chief Financial Analyst for Bankrate.com, leading a team responsible for researching financial products, providing analysis, and advice on personal finance to a vast consumer audience.
The listings that appear on this page are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This table does not include all companies or all available products. Bankrate does not endorse or recommend any companies.
Opening a certificate of deposit (CD) allows you to lock in an attractive fixed rate and earn higher returns compared to traditional savings accounts, while providing FDIC or NCUA insurance protection and guaranteed growth for a set period of time. Currently, the best CD rates range from 4.30 percent APY to 5.25 percent APY. This top rate is offered by Langley Federal Credit Union for a 10-month term, and is roughly three times higher than the national average of 1.72 percent on a one-year CD. Before opening a certificate of deposit, be sure to read expert advice and tips below to ensure a financially safe decision.
Bankrate's picks for top CD rates
Quontic Bank — 3 months - 5 years, 3.00% – 4.50% APY, $500 minimum deposit
Popular Direct — 6 months - 5 years, 3.30% – 4.50% APY, $10,000 minimum deposit
America First Credit Union — 1 year - 5 years, 4.10% – 4.45% APY, $500 minimum deposit
Vio Bank — 6 months - 5 years, 2.75% – 4.30% APY, $500 minimum deposit
Barclays Bank — 1 year - 5 years, 3.00% – 4.25% APY, no minimum deposit
Citizens Access — 1 year - 5 years, 3.00% – 4.25% APY, $5,000 minimum deposit
Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 6 months - 5 years, 3.60% – 4.10% APY, $500 minimum deposit
Sallie Mae Bank — 6 months - 5 years, 3.60% – 4.00% APY, $2,500 minimum deposit
Capital One — 6 months - 5 years, 3.50% – 3.90% APY, no minimum deposit
Synchrony Bank — 3 months - 4 years, 0.25% – 3.80% APY, no minimum deposit
Note: Annual percentage yields (APYs) shown were updated between Nov. 24 and Nov. 30. All other information is current as of Dec. 1. 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.
The following accounts can be found at most banks and credit unions. They’re federally insured for up to $250,000 and offer a safe place to put your money while earning interest.
Certificate of Deposit (CD)
CDs are best for individuals looking for a guaranteed rate of return that’s typically higher than a savings account. In exchange for a higher rate, funds are tied up for a set period of time and early withdrawal penalties may apply.
Checking account
Checking accounts are best for individuals who want to keep their money safe while still having easy, day-to-day access to their funds. ATM and other transactional fees may apply.
Savings / Money Market Accounts (MMA)
Savings and MMAs are good options for individuals looking to save for shorter-term goals. They’re a safe way to separate your savings from everyday cash, but may require larger minimum balances and have transfer limitations.
Current 1 year CD trends
Bankrate Partner average
4.18% APY
National average
1.72% APY
The "Bankrate Partner average" is calculated from the average of the top savings
account offers from the institutions we track, included on this page as of 12/1/2024. "National average"
is determined by Bankrate's comprehensive national survey of savings accounts and CDs.
Note: Annual percentage yields (APYs) shown were updated between Nov. 24 and Nov. 30. All other information is current as of Dec. 1. 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.
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs) and minimum deposits are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score.
Annual percentage yield
3.00% – 4.50%
Min. deposit to open
$500
Term
3 months - 5 years
Why Quontic Bank?
Quontic Bank offers six terms of CDs, ranging from three months to five years, that require $500 to open. The rates for all six terms are very competitive.
Pros
Quontic pays competitive rates on the five CD terms it offers.
Only $500 is needed to open a CD.
Cons
Some banks have lower minimum deposit requirements.
Quontic Bank’s early withdrawal penalties are higher than those of some other banks.
See how rates for this account have changed over time. Select the CD term length from the dropdown and interact with the trend lines to view APY by date.
Quontic Bank
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30.
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30.
National average APY
How do we get this data?
Bankrate independently tracks hundreds of APYs and product details for banking institutions nationwide. We retain the historical data of every rate we track in our database. If there are any gaps where we weren’t actively tracking a rate at the time, the graph will reflect the missing data.
Quontic Bank CD rates
Date
Bankrate gathers rate data either directly from our partners, or through our proprietary rate surveying service. The rate change date is based on when Bankrate received or captured the rate change and may differ from the actual date the rate changed.
Quontic Bank
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30.
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30
National average APY
The “national average” is determined by Bankrate’s comprehensive national survey of savings accounts and CDs and reflects the monthly average APY for each product.
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs) and minimum deposits are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score.
Annual percentage yield
3.30% – 4.50%
Min. deposit to open
$10,000
Term
6 months - 5 years
Why Popular Direct?
Popular Direct is an online bank and a subsidiary of Popular Inc., a more than 130-year-old financial services company. Popular Direct was previously known as Banco Popular North America.
Popular Direct offers CDs in eight terms ranging from three months to five years. With a $10,000 minimum deposit to open, these CDs are geared toward serious savers. Interest compounds daily. Popular Direct doesn’t offer specialty CDs, such as bump-up or no-penalty CDs. It does offer a savings account with a competitive rate.
Pros
Popular Direct consistently offers competitive rates across their CDs and savings accounts.
Cons
Popular Direct has a $10,000 minimum deposit to open. They also don't offer specialty CDs like bump-up or no-penalty CDs.
See how rates for this account have changed over time. Select the CD term length from the dropdown and interact with the trend lines to view APY by date.
Popular Direct
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30.
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30.
National average APY
How do we get this data?
Bankrate independently tracks hundreds of APYs and product details for banking institutions nationwide. We retain the historical data of every rate we track in our database. If there are any gaps where we weren’t actively tracking a rate at the time, the graph will reflect the missing data.
Popular Direct CD rates
Date
Bankrate gathers rate data either directly from our partners, or through our proprietary rate surveying service. The rate change date is based on when Bankrate received or captured the rate change and may differ from the actual date the rate changed.
Popular Direct
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30.
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30
National average APY
The “national average” is determined by Bankrate’s comprehensive national survey of savings accounts and CDs and reflects the monthly average APY for each product.
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs) and minimum deposits are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score.
Annual percentage yield
4.10% – 4.45%
Min. deposit to open
$500
Term
1 year - 5 years
Why America First Credit Union?
America First Credit Union offers a wide range of CD terms between three and 60 months, and all earn rates that are highly competitive. Also offered are specialty CDs such as a bump-rate CD and a flexible CD. All CDs require a manageable minimum opening deposit.
Pros
CD rates from America First are highly competitive.
Specialty CDs are available, including a bump-up option.
Both the standard and specialty CDs require low minimum deposits.
Cons
Bump rates may only be adjusted once per term.
See how rates for this account have changed over time. Select the CD term length from the dropdown and interact with the trend lines to view APY by date.
America First Credit Union
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30.
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30.
National average APY
How do we get this data?
Bankrate independently tracks hundreds of APYs and product details for banking institutions nationwide. We retain the historical data of every rate we track in our database. If there are any gaps where we weren’t actively tracking a rate at the time, the graph will reflect the missing data.
America First Credit Union CD rates
Date
Bankrate gathers rate data either directly from our partners, or through our proprietary rate surveying service. The rate change date is based on when Bankrate received or captured the rate change and may differ from the actual date the rate changed.
America First Credit Union
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30.
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30
National average APY
The “national average” is determined by Bankrate’s comprehensive national survey of savings accounts and CDs and reflects the monthly average APY for each product.
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs) and minimum deposits are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score.
Annual percentage yield
2.75% – 4.30%
Min. deposit to open
$500
Term
6 months - 5 years
Why Vio Bank?
Vio Bank offers traditional CDs with terms 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. CDs automatically renew once they mature following a 10 day grace period. Yields are competitive for all CDs, but Vio’s highest APYs are for CDs with terms of three years or less.
Pros
There is a wide variety of terms available.
Some banks have much higher minimum deposit requirements.
CD rates are highly competitive.
Cons
Early withdrawals come with a high penalty.
There are no special types of CDs or promotions available.
Some online banks offer higher CD rates.
See how rates for this account have changed over time. Select the CD term length from the dropdown and interact with the trend lines to view APY by date.
Vio Bank
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30.
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30.
National average APY
How do we get this data?
Bankrate independently tracks hundreds of APYs and product details for banking institutions nationwide. We retain the historical data of every rate we track in our database. If there are any gaps where we weren’t actively tracking a rate at the time, the graph will reflect the missing data.
Vio Bank CD rates
Date
Bankrate gathers rate data either directly from our partners, or through our proprietary rate surveying service. The rate change date is based on when Bankrate received or captured the rate change and may differ from the actual date the rate changed.
Vio Bank
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30.
APY
APY last updated between 11/24 and 11/30
National average APY
The “national average” is determined by Bankrate’s comprehensive national survey of savings accounts and CDs and reflects the monthly average APY for each product.
