Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (2024)

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (1)Written by

Matthew Goldberg

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (2)Edited by

Marc Wojno

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (3)Reviewed by

Greg McBride, CFA

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (4)Edited by

Marc Wojno

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (5)Reviewed by

Greg McBride, CFA

Updated Aug. 19, 2024

Editorial note: While our partners compensate us from links on this page, we maintaineditorial integrity, and partners don't influence our product evaluations.Here'show we make moneyand here is ouradvertiser disclosure.

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 4.29 percent APY to 5.25 percent APY. This top rate is offered by America First Credit Union for a 3-month term, and is roughly four times higher than the national average of 1.81 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 provides you with timely news and rate information on top yielding CDs for some of the most popular, and largest, FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions. This way you don’t have to spend time searching many bank and credit union websites. Since 1976, Bankrate has been a trusted source of banking information to help you make well-informed decisions on your finances.

  • America First Credit Union — 3 months - 5 years, 4.20% – 5.25% APY, $500 minimum deposit
  • Synchrony Bank — 3 months - 5 years, 0.25% – 5.15% APY, no minimum deposit
  • Quontic Bank — 6 months - 5 years, 4.30% – 5.10% APY, $500 minimum deposit
  • Sallie Mae Bank — 6 months - 5 years, 4.00% – 5.05% APY, $2,500 minimum deposit
  • Popular Direct — 3 months - 5 years, 3.95% – 5.05% APY, $10,000 minimum deposit
  • Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 6 months - 5 years, 4.00% – 5.00% APY, $500 minimum deposit
  • Vio Bank — 6 months - 5 years, 2.75% – 4.70% APY, $500 minimum deposit
  • Capital One — 6 months - 5 years, 3.75% – 4.50% APY, no minimum deposit
  • Citizens Access — 1 year - 5 years, 3.35% – 4.50% APY, $5,000 minimum deposit
  • Barclays Bank — 6 months - 5 years, 3.00% – 4.25% APY, no minimum deposit

Note: Annual percentage yields (APYs) shown were updated between Aug. 19 and Aug. 25. All other information is current as of Aug. 19. 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.

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Table of contents

  • Best CD rates from top banks
  • Recent news on CD rates
  • Current promotional CD rates
  • Compare top CD rates today by term
  • How to choose the best CD for you
  • Who should get a CD?
  • Pros and cons of CDs
  • Alternatives to CDs
  • CD FAQs
  • Research methodology

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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

4.67% APY

National average

1.81% 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 8/26/2024. "National average" is determined by Bankrate's comprehensive national survey of savings accounts and CDs.

On This Page

Best CD rates from top banks for August 2024

Note: Annual percentage yields (APYs) shown were updated between Aug. 19 and Aug. 25. All other information is current as of Aug. 19. 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.

America First Credit Union

Overview

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.

Read Bankrate's Expert America First Credit Union Review

4.20% – 5.25% APY

$500 minimum deposit

3 months - 5 years

Synchrony Bank

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (7)

Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5

4.9

Overview

Synchrony Bank offers many regular CDs ranging from three months to five years. It also added a no-penalty CD and a bump-up CD earlier this year. Synchrony Bank also offers IRA CDs.

Read Bankrate's Expert Synchrony Bank Review

0.25% – 5.15% APY

$0 minimum deposit

3 months - 5 years

Quontic Bank

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (8)

Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5

3.8

Overview

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.

Read Bankrate's Expert Quontic Bank Review

4.30% – 5.10% APY

$500 minimum deposit

6 months - 5 years

Sallie Mae Bank

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (9)

Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5

4.4

Overview

Sallie Mae Bank offers 11 terms of CDs, a savings account, money market account and private student loans. It offers a competitive yield on its deposit products.

Established in 2005, Sallie Mae Bank is headquartered in Salt Lake City. In 2014, Sallie Mae became a stand-alone consumer banking business.

Read Bankrate's Expert Sallie Mae Bank Review

4.00% – 5.05% APY

$2,500 minimum deposit

6 months - 5 years

Popular Direct

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (10)

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

4.0

Overview

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.

Read Bankrate's Expert Popular Direct Review

3.95% – 5.05% APY

$10,000 minimum deposit

3 months - 5 years

Marcus by Goldman Sachs

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (11)

Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5

4.9

Overview

Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers a competitive yield on its CDs. It offers a variety of CD terms and CD types. Its regular CD terms range from a six-month CD to a six-year CD.

In addition to its nine terms of regular CDs, it also offers three no-penalty CDs and a rate-bump CD.

All of these CDs have a $500 minimum deposit requirement.

Read Bankrate's Expert Marcus by Goldman Sachs Review

4.00% – 5.00% APY

$500 minimum deposit

6 months - 5 years

Vio Bank

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (12)

Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5

4.1

Overview

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.

Read Bankrate's Expert Vio Bank Review

2.75% – 4.70% APY

$500 minimum deposit

6 months - 5 years

Capital One

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (13)

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

4.5

Overview

Capital One offers CDs with terms as short as six months or as long as five years. These CDs have no minimum opening deposit and the bank offers competitive yields.

Read Bankrate's Expert Capital One Review

3.75% – 4.50% APY

$0 minimum deposit

6 months - 5 years

Citizens Access

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (14)

Rating: 3.7 stars out of 5

3.7

Overview

Citizens Access offers six terms of CDs that all require at least a $5,000 deposit. Citizens’ CD terms range from one-year to five-years.

Read Bankrate's Expert Citizens Access Review

3.35% – 4.50% APY

$5,000 minimum deposit

1 year - 5 years

Barclays Bank

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (15)

Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5

4.4

Overview

Barclays is an online bank popular for its credit cards, but it also offers CDs and an online savings account. ​​Barclays offers seven terms of CDs ranging from six months to five years.

Read Bankrate's Expert Barclays Bank Review

3.00% – 4.25% APY

$0 minimum deposit

6 months - 5 years

Bankrate's expertise

Bankrate’s trusted industry knowledge

Read our full methodology

Our banking editorial team regularly evaluates data from more than a hundred of the top financial institutions across a range of categories (brick-and-mortar banks, online banks, credit unions and more) to help you find the options that work best for you.

48years

of industry experience

3k

deposits rates tracked

120

banks reviewed

Recent news on CD rates

At its last meeting on July 31, the Federal Reserve, once again, didn’t change interest rates but is projecting a September rate cut. The Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee kept its key benchmark, the federal funds rate, at a target range of 5.25 to 5.5 percent.

CD rates peaked in late 2023 and have been trending downward since then. This trend is a result of the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes in 2022 and 2023 to combat high inflation. Inflation cooled from its peak of 9 percent in June 2022 to 2.9 percent in July but remains above the Fed's 2 percent target, leading to hints of potential rate cuts that are already affecting CD rates.

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to reduce interest rates in the coming months. With peak savings rates at hand, this is an opportune time to seek higher yields. But even as rates come down, it will also still be important to shop around for the best rates. — Mark Hamrick, Bankrate senior economic analyst

When looking for a certificate of deposit, seek a competitive interest rate, a term length that works for you, and FDIC or NCUA insurance coverage. Also familiarize yourself with early withdrawal penalties to avoid potentially losing money.

Currently, shorter-term CDs – with terms of six months to 18 months – generally have higher yields than longer-term CDs. But those longer-term CD yields could be peaking soon, if they haven’t already. So locking one in now could be a good decision for long-term money that you want to keep safe in an insured bank.

National average interest rates for CDs

Researching average interest rates provides insight into the CD rate environment and can help in finding a CD with a yield that's much higher than average. Here are the current average rates as of Aug. 26, according to Bankrate's most recent survey of institutions:

CD termCD national average APY
1 year1.81%
2 year1.53%
3 year1.43%
4 year1.48%
5 year1.44%

Current promotional CD rates

Some banks have promotional CD rates. There might be certain restrictions on these CDs. For instance, you might have to bring money from outside the bank to be eligible for this APY. Promotional CDs may renew at a different term and at a different APY. (That APY is likely to not be known when you purchase a promotional CD.)

Even some of the largest banks might have some featured CD rates.

Bank nameCD productAPYAvailable until*
U.S. Bank7-month CD4.55% APYN/A
Wells Fargo7-month CD4.25% APYN/A
PenFed Credit Union18-month CD4.00% APYN/A

*It’s possible for these offers to end sooner.

These promotional CDs might not be available in certain areas. APYs for some products may vary by region. The CD may renew for a different term. The promotional offers are as of Aug. 16.

Compare top CD rates today by term

When you open a CD, selecting a term is an important step. The term is the length of time that the money stays stashed in the account. For example, opening a CD with a one-year term means you’re making a commitment to the bank that you’ll keep your money in the account for one year.

Here’s where you’ll find some of the top yielding CDs by term.

InstitutionAPYMin. deposit
America First Credit Union 5.25% APY $500
Popular Direct 5.05% APY $10,000
First Internet Bank of Indiana 4.14% APY $1,000
InstitutionAPYMin. deposit
America First Credit Union 5.15% APY $500
Quontic Bank 5.10% APY $500
Bask Bank 5.10% APY $1,000
InstitutionAPYMin. deposit
First Internet Bank of Indiana 5.15% APY $1,000
America First Credit Union 5.10% APY $500
Bread Savings 5.10% APY $1,500
InstitutionAPYMin. deposit
First Internet Bank of Indiana 4.45% APY $1,000
Quontic Bank 4.40% APY $500
America First Credit Union 4.35% APY $500
InstitutionAPYMin. deposit
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union 4.35% APY $500
First Internet Bank of Indiana 4.35% APY $1,000
Quontic Bank 4.30% APY $500

Note: Annual percentage yields (APYs) shown were updated between Aug. 19 and Aug. 25. 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.

How to choose the best CD for you

The top three things to look for when choosing a CD are:

Learn more:What is a CD?

Types of CDs

Banks and credit unions offer a wide range of CDs to fit different financial needs. Take some time to consider which type of CD is best for you.

Traditional CDs are the most common type of CD, and they earn a fixed APY for the entire term. These CDs usually don’t allow you to add more funds after your opening deposit, and they also tend to have strict early withdrawal penalties.

If you withdraw from a CD before it matures, the penalty is usually equal to the amount of interest earned during a certain period of time. For instance, a bank may impose a penalty of 90 days of simple interest on a one-year CD if you withdraw from that CD before the year is up.

When this CD makes sense: Traditional CDs are a good choice if you know exactly when you’ll need the money and there’s no chance of needing it before the term is up. They’re often good for CD ladders or other CD investing strategies in which timing is important.

Most CDs charge you a penalty for accessing the funds before the term is up. However, some banks offer no-penalty CDs — also known as liquid CDs — which allow you to withdraw the money early without being charged a penalty.

A bank may require that you wait at least some time after opening a no-penalty CD — generally around six or seven days — before you’re able to withdraw from the CD, and some banks don’t allow for partial withdrawals. No-penalty CD rates tend to be lower than regular CD rates, but they can be better than some high-yield savings account or money market account rates.

When this CD makes sense: Consider a no-penalty CD if you don’t plan to withdraw the money before the CD matures, but you want to keep some flexibility in case you need access to the funds. As a result, you’re willing to give up a little return for added liquidity.

Bump-up CDs enable you to request an increase in your rate during the CD term under certain conditions. Banks that offer this CD usually allow just one bump-up per term. For example, you may open a three-year CD at a given rate, and the bank offers an additional half-point rate increase when you’re one year into the term. With a bump-up CD, you can request a rate increase for the remainder of the term. Like no-penalty CDs, bump-up CDs often pay lower rates than traditional CDs.

When this CD makes sense: A bump-up CD could be a good option if rates are expected to rise significantly during the term of the CD. Otherwise, you’re likely accepting a lower rate for limited potential upside.

Who should get a CD?

A CD is useful when you want to earn a consistent, fixed yield on your lump sum of cash over the term of your savings account, especially if interest rates are declining. It also encourages you to be disciplined in leaving your money untouched as it earns interest because a CD is a time deposit account and imposes an early withdrawal penalty if you withdraw your funds before the CD matures.

A good time to open a CD is when you have a lump sum of money that you want to sock away for a specific period of time in the hopes of consistently growing interest. Also, it’s worth opening a CD when you know you have a specific timeframe in mind when you think you’ll need this money. A six-month CD, for example, could be a good place to put your money aside for an insurance premium that’s due in eight months.

Learn more:How to build a CD ladder

Pros and cons of CDs

Before you choose a CD, weigh the pros and cons to ensure you're making the right investment choice for your financial situation.

Pros

  • Some CDs earn a higher APY than money market accounts or savings accounts.

  • CDs are a good place to store funds that you don’t want to be able to dip into too easily.

  • CDs can help you separate money for financial goals or future expenses.

  • Deposit insurance covers accounts at FDIC banks and NCUA credit unions up to at least $250,000.

  • A CD can diversify your savings plan with a guaranteed rate.

  • Your principal remains intact if you keep your money in a CD for the full term.

Cons

  • CDs tie up your money for a potentially long period of time.

  • Many CDs have early withdrawal penalties.

  • Money committed to a CD could end up earning a lackluster yield if rates rise substantially. The early withdrawal penalty may negate any benefit of switching to a higher-yielding CD, however.

  • You could potentially earn better rates of return in the stock market or by investing in other securities.

Alternatives to CDs

Traditional savings accountThis account typically earns a low yield that’s usually at or below the national average.Caret RightHigh-yield savings accountThis account tends to earn a yield currently of about seven times higher than the national average. At online-only banks, these accounts often won’t have monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements.Caret RightMoney market accountThis is an interest-bearing account available at both banks and credit unions which is similar to a savings account, but also offers some checking account features.Caret RightShort-term bond fundsThese funds, be they exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds, typically invest in government and corporate bonds. Short-term bond funds typically have durations of one to three and a half years, according to Fidelity.Caret Right

CD FAQs

Research methodology

Bankrate’s editorial team is made up of five banking experts. These experts have researched numerous banks and at least twice a month review bank websites to make sure readers stay up to date on the latest rates and bank products.

The banks and credit unions on this page are selected based on popularity, Bankrate’s review score and CD APYs. The listings are ordered based on Bankrate’s scoring system, and ties are broken through minimum balance requirements and then alphabetical order.

Note: Bankrate doesn’t include callable CDs or brokered CDs on this page and compares regular CDs and no-penalty CDs separately.

Learn more

Get Started

Calculate your CD earnings

Estimate how much money you will earn with a fixed APY when your CD matures.

Compare

Pros and cons of CD investing

Weigh the benefits and drawbacks of CD accounts to determine if this savings strategy is right for you.

In the news

Daily CD rate trends

Stay informed about today's highest CD yields and what banks and credit unions offer them.

Best CD Rates Of August 2024 - Up to 5.25% | Bankrate (2024)

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