- Today’s best CDs earn up to 4.65% APY.
- APYs remain elevated after the Fed’s latest rate pause, but the Fed is expected to cut rates in the coming months.
- Locking in your APY now can shield your earnings from upcoming rate cuts.
After months of falling, certificate of deposit rates are holding steady for now. That means you still have time to lock in a great annual percentage yield and maximize your earnings before rates start sliding again.
You can earn up to 4.65% APY with today’s best CDs — more than twice the national average for some terms. But with the Federal Reserve expected to cut interest rates later this year, these APYs won’t stick around forever. The sooner you open a CD, the higher your earning potential could be.
Read on to see some of the highest CD rates available now and how much you could earn by depositing $5,000.
Today’s best CD rates
| Term | Highest APY* | Bank | Estimated earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 4.65% | CommunityWide Federal Credit Union | $114.93 |
| 1 year | 4.45% | CommunityWide Federal Credit Union | $222.50 |
| 3 years | 4.15% | America First Credit Union | $648.69 |
| 5 years | 4.25% | America First Credit Union | $1,156.73 |
Experts recommend comparing rates before opening a CD account to get the best APY possible. Enter your information below to get CNET’s partners’ best rate for your area.
Why it’s smart to open a CD today
A CD can be a great place to stash your cash at any time, but in periods of inflation like today’s, they can be especially lucrative. As the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to fight inflation, banks tend to follow suit, raising APYs on consumer products like CDs and savings accounts.
If you open a CD while rates remain elevated, you can continue to enjoy the same high returns even when rates begin to fall because your APY is locked in when you open a CD.
But don’t wait too long to take advantage of today’s APYs. While the Fed chose to pause rates at its January meeting, experts expect it to cut rates later this year, which means the clock is ticking.
“Short-term interest rates tend to fluctuate in anticipation of market changes, so even if the Fed doesn’t lower rates immediately, we could still see CD rates begin to trend slightly downward,” said Chad Olivier, Certified Financial Planner and CEO of The Olivier Group. “That said, with the Fed taking a more cautious, wait-and-see approach, CD rates and other safe-money options are likely to remain at these high levels for now.”
💰You can earn up to 5% APY on the best high-yield savings accounts. Check out top savings rates now.
How CD rates have changed in the last week
| Term | Last week’s CNET average APY | This week’s CNET average APY | Weekly change** |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 4.08% | 4.08% | No change |
| 1 year | 4.07% | 4.07% | No change |
| 3 years | 3.56% | 3.56% | No change |
| 5 years | 3.55% | 3.56% | +0.28% |
How to choose the best CD for you
A competitive APY is important, but it’s not the only thing you should consider. To find the right CD for you, weigh these things, too:
- When you’ll need your money: Early withdrawal penalties on CDs can eat into your interest earnings if you need your money before the term ends, so choose a timeline that makes sense. Alternatively, you can select a no-penalty CD, although the APY may not be as high as you’d get with a traditional CD of the same term.
- Minimum deposit requirement: Some CDs require a minimum deposit to open an account, typically $500 to $1,000. Knowing how much money you have to set aside can help you narrow your options.
- Fees: Maintenance and other fees can cut into your savings. Many online banks don’t charge fees because they have lower overhead costs than banks with physical branches. Read the fine print for any account you’re evaluating.
- Safety and security: Make sure the bank or credit union you’re considering is an FDIC or NCUA member so your money is protected if the bank fails.
- Customer ratings and reviews: Visit sites like Trustpilot to see what customers are saying about the bank. You want a bank that’s responsive, professional and easy to work with.
Methodology
CNET reviews CD rates based on the latest APY information from issuer websites. We evaluated CD rates from more than 50 banks, credit unions and financial companies. We evaluate CDs based on APYs, product offerings, 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 of America and Connexus Credit Union.
*APYs as of Feb. 20, 2025, based on the banks we track at CNET. Earnings are based on APYs and assume interest is compounded annually.
**Weekly percentage increase/decrease from Feb. 11, 2025, to Feb. 18, 2025.
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