Key Takeaways
- CD shoppers can lock in APYs of at least 4.28% across all terms, from 3 months to 5 years.
- The top national CD rate stands at 4.60%. Two offers guarantee that return: a 6-month certificate from Northern Bank Direct and a 19-month rate-lock from Genisys Credit Union.
- Thirteen CDs offer 4.50% or more for terms ranging from 6 months to nearly 2 years. PenAir Credit Union’s 21-month certificate guarantees that rate through April 2027.
- Guarantees for terms of 3 to 5 years offer rates between 4.28% and 4.40%, with the longest term locking in returns through summer 2030.
- While the Fed has kept its benchmark interest rate steady this year, potential rate cuts in 2025 could start pushing CD rates lower.
Below you’ll find featured rates available from our partners, followed by details from our ranking of the best CDs available nationwide.
Top 4.60% APY Available for 6 or 19 Months
The top national CD rate is still 4.60%, offered by Northern Bank Direct for 6 months and Genisys Credit Union for 19 months. Close behind, NASA Federal Credit Union offers 4.59% for a 9-month term.
For 1-year terms, the best rate is 4.50%, available from Abound Credit Union (10 months) and Genisys Credit Union (13 months). Or you can lock in almost the same rate, 4.49%, for 12 months with Pelican State Credit Union.
There are 13 CDs paying at least 4.50%, ranging from 6-month options to PenAir Credit Union’s 21-month certificate, which locks your rate until April 2027.
All Federally Insured Institutions Are Equally Protected
Deposits at any FDIC-insured bank or NCUA credit union are protected by the U.S. government in the rare event of an institution’s failure. Coverage is the same across all institutions, insuring deposits up to $250,000 per person, per institution.
Lock In Your APY Longer With Extended-Term CDs
Longer-term guarantees offer slightly lower APYs, but you still have great options. You can stretch your savings for 3, 4, or even 5 years with a 4.28% CD from Lafayette Federal Credit Union. Or in the middle of that range, NASA Federal Credit Union for a 4.40% APY on a 49-month term. By choosing a term of 4 to 5 years, you can lock in your rate until 2029 or even 2030.
Given the potential for Fed rate cuts later in 2025 and possibly 2026, multiyear CDs may be a smart choice. After lowering the federal funds rate by a full percentage point last fall, the Fed could resume cuts soon. While lower rates will likely push bank APYs lower, a CD rate you secure now will remain fixed until maturity.
Today’s Best CDs Still Offer Historically High Returns
CD rates may have pulled back from their peak, but the best options still offer impressive returns. October 2023 saw the highest CD rates push briefly to 6%, while today’s leading rate is 4.60%. But compare that to early 2022, before the Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate hikes, when the highest CD rates ranged from just 0.50% to 1.70%, depending on the term.
Jumbo CDs Outperform Regular CDs in Two Terms
Jumbo CDs typically require larger deposits and may offer premium rates—but not always. In fact, today’s top jumbo CD rates only outpace the best standard rates in two of the eight terms we track. This makes it essential to compare both options when shopping for CDs. If the best rate is a standard CD, consider opening it with a jumbo-sized deposit for a higher return.
Higher jumbo rates are available in the following terms:
- 3 years: Hughes Federal Credit Union offers 4.34% for a jumbo 3-year CD, compared to 4.28% for the highest standard rate.
- 5 years: Both GTE Financial and Lafayette Federal Credit Union offer 4.33% for jumbo 5-year CDs, compared to 4.28% for the highest standard rate.
Where Will CD Rates Go in 2025?
In December, the Federal Reserve announced its third rate cut in as many meetings, reducing the federal funds rate by a full percentage point since September. However, the central bank has kept rates steady at all four of its 2025 meetings so far.
The Fed’s rate cuts last year marked a shift from its aggressive rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, aimed at combating decades-high inflation. At its peak in 2023, the federal funds rate reached its highest level since 2001 and stayed there for nearly 14 months.
Fed rate changes are crucial for savers, as cuts to the federal funds rate typically lower the interest rates that banks and credit unions offer on deposits. Both CD and savings account rates are directly impacted by these shifts.
While the future of the federal funds rate in 2025 and 2026 remains uncertain, especially with paused tariff activity under the Trump administration, further rate cuts could come later this year. With today’s CD rates potentially representing the best rates for a while, now is an ideal time to lock in the best rate that fits your timeline.
Daily Rankings of the Best CDs and Savings Accounts
We update these rankings every business day to give you the best deposit rates available:
Important
Note that the “top rates” quoted here are the highest nationally available rates Investopedia has identified in its daily rate research on hundreds of banks and credit unions. This is much different than the national average, which includes all banks offering a CD with that term, including many large banks that pay a pittance in interest. Thus, the national averages are always quite low, while the top rates you can unearth by shopping around are often 5, 10, or even 15 times higher.
How We Find the Best CD Rates
Every business day, Investopedia tracks the rate data of more than 200 banks and credit unions that offer CDs to customers nationwide and determines daily rankings of the top-paying certificates in every major term. To qualify for our lists, the institution must be federally insured (FDIC for banks, NCUA for credit unions), the CD’s minimum initial deposit must not exceed $25,000, and any specified maximum deposit cannot be under $5,000.
Banks must be available in at least 40 states. And while some credit unions require you to donate to a specific charity or association to become a member if you don’t meet other eligibility criteria (e.g., you don’t live in a certain area or work in a certain kind of job), we exclude credit unions whose donation requirement is $40 or more. For more about how we choose the best rates, read our full methodology.
