- Today’s CD income is as high as 4.65%.
- Unlike stocks, CDs provide stable, reliable returns even in an uncertain economy.
- CDs are perfect for investors who want to protect their funds and enjoy predictable returns.
A smart portfolio balances risk and rewards. While assets like stocks have the potential to make huge gains, they can also cause huge losses – because recent stock market turmoil has been clear. This is why safer, more predictable assets are included in your strategy.
Certificates of deposit provide a safe and secure income. When you open your account, your rates are locked, so your gains remain the same no matter what happens to the economy. And, because CDs are protected by federal deposit insurance, you don’t have to worry about losing your money if your bank or credit union fails. This makes CDs ideal for specific savings goals, such as weddings or home purchases, as well as retired investors who want to ensure their nest eggs are safe.
Tax transactions this week
The transaction was selected by the CNET Group business team and may not be related to this article.
Today’s best CD annual yield is as high as 4.65% (APY). Here are some of the highest CD prices available now and how much CDs can be earned by storing different amounts.
The best CD prices today
| semester | The highest APY* | bank | Estimated earnings from a deposit of $1,000 | Estimated earnings from a $5,000 deposit | Estimated earnings from a $10,000 deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 4.65% | Community-wide federal credit union | $22.99 | $114.93 | $229.85 |
| 1 year | 4.45% | Community-wide federal credit union | $44.50 | $222.50 | $445.00 |
| 3 years | 4.15% | The first credit union in the United States | $129.74 | $648.69 | $12,97.38 |
| 5 years | 4.20% | The first credit union in the United States | $228.40 | $1,141.98 | $2,283.97 |
Experts recommend comparing rates to get the best APY before opening a CD account. Enter your information below to get the best interest rates for CNET partners.
The highest privilege to open a CD
CDs offer many benefits, including:
- Low risk: CDs held by FDIC Insurance Bank or NCUA-insured credit unions are protected by $250,000 per store, agency, and account category. This means that if your bank fails, your money is safe. Other investments (such as stocks) may produce higher returns in the long run, but they also volatility, which means you may lose money at any time.
- Guaranteed return: Unlike savings accounts, when you open the CD, your APY is locked, in which case the interest rate may vary at any time. The fixed interest rate on CDs makes it easy to calculate how much interest you will earn over time and protect your funds from falling interest rates once you open your account.
- Competition rate: Traditional savings accounts offer minimal APY, sometimes as low as 0.01%. The most important CDs today have APYs of 4.50% or more, which may change your interest income.
- Access barriers: You can withdraw funds from your savings account at any time for free (as long as you mind any monthly withdrawal restrictions). However, if you take the money out before you file that semester, many CDs will charge early withdrawal fines. This can help you resist the urge to immerse your money before you need it.
Also consider high yield savings accounts
CDs have many benefits, but they are not always the best choice. “It really depends on your goals,” said Taylor Kovar, certified financial planner and CEO of 11 Financial.
To determine if CD is the right choice for your money, ask yourself the following questions:
- When do you need your funds? CDs are perfect for setting schedule savings goals and have a range of ranges in just three months to several years. For example, if you know you want to buy a home on the road, a five-year CD may be a great way to increase your down payment. However, if you need to get your funds right away through an emergency fund, a high yield savings account is more appropriate.
- How much do you have to deposit? Some CDs require a minimum deposit to open an account, usually from $500 to $1,000. If you can’t find an attractive APY account you want to deposit the amount, try checking out a low yield savings account that has low or no minimum deposit.
- Do you want to increase your money over time? Most CDs (although not all) only allow one-time deposits. If you want to regularly add money to your savings over time, consider a high yield savings account.
- Do you need some discipline? If you are worried that you will be tempted to take advantage of your savings before you need it, the CD will withdraw the penalty ahead of time, which can help you stop.
You can earn up to 5% APY in today’s best high yield savings accounts. Check Maximum savings rate Now.
Methodology
CNET reviews CD rates based on the latest APY information from the issuer’s website. We evaluate CD rates for over 50 banks, credit unions and financial companies. We evaluate CDs based on APY, product products, accessibility and customer service.
The current banks included in CNET’s weekly CD averages include Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, American Express National Bank, Barclays, Bask Bank, Bread Savings, Capital One, CFG Bank, CIT, Fulbright, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, MYSB Direct, Quontic, Rising Bank, Synchrony, EverBank, Popular Bank, First Internet Bank of Indiana, America First Federal Credit Union, CommunityWide Federal Credit Union, Discover, Bethpage, BMO Alto, Limelight Bank, First National Bank and Connexus Credit Union.
*As of March 17, 2025, according to banks we tracked on CNET. The gain is based on APY and assumes that interest is more complex every year.
