Selected from 950+ Certificates of Deposit for September 2024
Updated Aug 16, 2024
Fact checked
Written by John Kiernan
Managing Editor
Reviewed by Alina Comoreanu
Senior Researcher
A CD, short for certificate of deposit, is a type of savings account that usually offers a higher interest rate compared to regular savings accounts. However, in return for this higher APY, you agree to keep your funds in the CD for a specific duration, known as the term length. If you withdraw money from the CD before it reaches maturity, you may face substantial penalties.
To help people get the most for their money, WalletHub compared over 950 certificates of deposit from 172 financial institutions, both online-only and branch-based. Below, you can find the best CD rates from financial institutions anyone can apply for.
If you’re also interested in exploring the best CD rates from credit unions that allow only eligible members to apply for, you can check them out further down.
2024's Best CD Rates - Editors' Picks
Best: | CD | APY |
3-month CD | First Federal Lakewood CD | 5.61% |
6-month CD | The Maries County Bank CD | 5.51% |
9-month CD | EagleBank CD | 5.30% |
1-year CD | Merchants Bank of Indiana CD | 5.92% |
3-year CD | Merchants Bank of Indiana CD | 5.92% |
5-year CD | The Federal Savings Bank CD | 4.45% |
10-year CD | First National Bank of America CD | 3.76% |
Jumbo CD | My eBanc CD | 5.15% |
No-Penalty CD | Climate First Bank CD | 5.34% |
Business CD | Prime Alliance Bank CD | 5.30% |
Credit Union CD | Vibrant Credit Union CD | 5.50% |
WalletHub tracks 1,400+ bank accounts (other sites consider a much smaller number of accounts, so they naturally miss a lot of great options)
WalletHub picks the best accounts overall (other sites pick the best offers from their advertising partners)
WalletHub uses a sophisticated rating system to objectively find the best bank accounts (other sites’ picks are influenced by their own biases)
WalletHub has 100% editorial independence(other sites just provide a billboard for advertisers)
WalletHub does not have a conflict of interest (other sites are biased due to promoting their own lending and banking offers)
WalletHub has 15+ years of experience (other sites simply don’t have the same expertise)
WalletHub's best CD picks are completelyindependentand not provided, commissioned, or endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, our editors follow a strict editorial policy.Some offers may come from WalletHub's advertising partners.
Best CD with a 3 Month Term
Best CD with a 3 Month Term
First Federal Lakewood 3 Months Special CD
First Federal Lakewood 3 Months Special CD
5.0WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
5.0
This product has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary rating system for banking products. We evaluated this CD for various consumer needs and picked the rating for the need with the highest score, which is "Saving a large amount for 3 months."
Market Comparison
5.0
Interest Rates: 5.0
savings: 5.0
Other Features: 4.5
Apply Now
APY | Minimum Deposit | Signup Bonus |
---|---|---|
5.61% | $500 | None |
APY
5.61%
Monthly Fee
N/A
Editors’ Thoughts
With $500 as minimum deposit, and a 5.61% APY, First Federal Lakewood’s 3-month CD becomes one of the best short-term certificates on the market.
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Best CD with a 6 Month Term
Best CD with a 6 Month Term
The Maries County Bank 6 Month Special CD
The Maries County Bank 6 Month Special CD
4.9WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.9
This product has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary rating system for banking products. We evaluated this CD for various consumer needs and picked the rating for the need with the highest score, which is "Saving an above-average amount for 6 months."
Market Comparison
4.9
Interest Rates: 5.0
savings: 5.0
Other Features: 3.0
Apply Now
APY | Minimum Deposit | Signup Bonus |
---|---|---|
5.51% | $1,000 | None |
APY
5.51%
Monthly Fee
N/A
Editors’ Thoughts
The Maries County Bank offers a diverse selection of CD terms, with their best offer of 5.51% at the 6-month mark. It does come with a $1,000 minimum deposit requirement though.
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Best CD with a 9 Month Term
Best CD with a 9 Month Term
EagleBank CD
EagleBank CD
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APY | Minimum Deposit | Signup Bonus |
---|---|---|
5.30% | $1,000 | None |
APY
5.30%
Editors’ Thoughts
Eagle Bank’s 9 month certificate goes above and beyond with its offer, more specifically a 5.30% APY. While a $1,000 minimum deposit may dissuade some, realistically speaking the more money you add the more that high interest will work for you.
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Best CD with a 1 Year Term
Best CD with a 1 Year Term
Merchants Bank of Indiana Flex Index CD
Merchants Bank of Indiana Flex Index CD
4.9WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.9
This product has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary rating system for banking products. We evaluated this CD for various consumer needs and picked the rating for the need with the highest score, which is "Saving a large amount for 12 months."
Market Comparison
4.9
Interest Rates: 5.0
savings: 5.0
Other Features: 4.0
Apply Now
APY | Minimum Deposit | Signup Bonus |
---|---|---|
5.92% | $1,000 | None |
APY
5.92%
Monthly Fee
N/A
Editors’ Thoughts
With $1,000 as minimum deposit, and an APY of 5.92%, Merchants Bank of Indiana’s 1-Year CD offer is the best around for this term.
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BEST CD WITH A 3-YEAR TERM
Best CD with a 3 Year Term
Merchants Bank of Indiana Flex Index CD
Merchants Bank of Indiana Flex Index CD
4.9WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.9
This product has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary rating system for banking products. We evaluated this CD for various consumer needs and picked the rating for the need with the highest score, which is "Saving a large amount for 36 months."
Market Comparison
4.9
Interest Rates: 5.0
savings: 5.0
Other Features: 4.0
Apply Now
APY | Minimum Deposit | Signup Bonus |
---|---|---|
5.92% | $1,000 | None |
APY
5.92%
Monthly Fee
N/A
Editors’ Thoughts
Merchants Bank of Indiana offers an APY of 5.92% for its 3-year CD. While $1,000 as a minimum deposit is not the lowest around, its interest rate more than makes up for it.
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BEST CD WITH A 5-YEAR TERM
Best CD with a 5-year Term
The Federal Savings Bank 5 Year Special CD
The Federal Savings Bank 5 Year Special CD
4.4WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.4
This product has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary rating system for banking products. We evaluated this CD for various consumer needs and picked the rating for the need with the highest score, which is "Saving an above-average amount for 60 months."
Market Comparison
4.4
Interest Rates: 4.6
savings: 4.7
Other Features: 0.0
Apply Now
APY | Minimum Deposit | Signup Bonus |
---|---|---|
4.45% | $5,000 | None |
APY
4.45%
Monthly Fee
N/A
Editors’ Thoughts
This bank’s CD stands out with an APY of 4.45%. While most 5-year certificates average around 2%, the fact that Federal Savings Bank more than doubles it makes it the best offer at this term.
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Best CD with a 10 Year Term
Best CD with a 10 Year Term
First National Bank of America CD
First National Bank of America CD
Apply Now
APY | Minimum Deposit | Signup Bonus |
---|---|---|
3.76% | $1,000 | None |
APY
3.76%
Editors’ Thoughts
First National Bank of America offers an APY of 3.76% for its 10-year certificate. That makes it the best CD for this term length.
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Best Jumbo CD
Best Jumbo CD
My eBanc Jumbo Online Time CD
My eBanc Jumbo Online Time CD
4.3WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.3
This product has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary rating system for banking products. We evaluated this CD for various consumer needs and picked the rating for the need with the highest score, which is "Saving a large amount for 12 months."
Market Comparison
4.3
Interest Rates: 4.7
savings: 4.6
Other Features: 0.0
Apply Now
APY | Minimum Deposit | Signup Bonus |
---|---|---|
5.15% | $50,000 | None |
APY
5.15%
Monthly Fee
N/A
Editors’ Thoughts
My e-Bank currently offers the best 1-year Jumbo CD, with an APY of 5.15%, one of the best on the market regardless of CD type. As expected for Jumbo certificates, the minimum deposit required is $50,000.
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Best No-Penalty CD
Best No-Penalty CD
Climate First Bank No Penalty CD
Climate First Bank No Penalty CD
4.8WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.8
This product has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary rating system for banking products. We evaluated this CD for various consumer needs and picked the rating for the need with the highest score, which is "Saving a large amount for 6 months."
Market Comparison
4.8
Interest Rates: 4.8
savings: 4.8
Other Features: 4.5
Apply Now
APY | Minimum Deposit | Signup Bonus |
---|---|---|
5.34% | $500 | None |
APY
5.34%
Monthly Fee
N/A
Editors’ Thoughts
If you're looking to earn a higher rate on your deposits while maintaining the flexibility to access your funds in case of an unexpected expense, Climate First Bank's 6-month, no-penalty 5.34% APY CD serves as a beneficial option for storing your emergency savings.
The minimum deposit required to open one of these accounts is $500, which is a little more than what some banks charge but less than what you might pay at a brick-and-mortar bank.
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Best Business CD
Best Business CD
Prime Alliance Bank Business CD
Prime Alliance Bank Business CD
4.9WalletHub Rating
WalletHub Rating
4.9
This product has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary rating system for banking products. We evaluated this CD for various consumer needs and picked the rating for the need with the highest score, which is "Saving for businesses for 12 months."
Market Comparison
4.9
Interest Rates: 5.0
savings: 5.0
Other Features: 4.0
Apply Now
APY | Minimum Deposit | Signup Bonus |
---|---|---|
5.30% | $500 | None |
APY
5.30%
Monthly Fee
N/A
Questions & Answers
Finding the best CD can be tough. But you’ve got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.
Most Popular
19
Upvotes
How do I choose a CD?
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19
2
Upvotes
What is a good CD rate?
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2
2
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How do CDs work?
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2
6
Upvotes
Are CDs worth it?
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5
Upvotes
What is a CD ladder?
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5
9
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Are CDs safe?
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7
Upvotes
When should you get a CD?
Reply
7
Peter Fox, WalletHub Analyst
@PeterFox
Deciding when to get a CD depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and current economic conditions. CDs can be a suitable option in the following scenarios:
- Short-Term Savings Goal: If you have a specific short-term savings goal (e.g., a vacation, down payment for a car), and you want to earn more interest than a regular savings account while preserving the principal, a short-term CD might be a good choice.
- Stable Income...
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1
7
Upvotes
Do you pay taxes on CD interest?
Reply
7
Peter Fox, WalletHub Analyst
@PeterFox
In general, you must pay taxes on the interest earned from certificates of deposit. The interest income you receive from a CD is considered taxable income by the government, and it must be reported on your annual income tax return.Interest income from CDs is typically taxed at your ordinary income tax rate. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you are over 65 and you have a qualified retirement account, you...
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5
Upvotes
What are the pros and cons of CDs?
Reply
5
Marshall Jamieson, WalletHub Finance Consultant
@bergman77
Certificates of Deposit (CDs) are a type of time deposit offered by banks and credit unions that offer a fixed interest rate for a specific term, during which you agree not to withdraw the funds. Here are some pros and cons of investing in CDs:
Pros of CDs:
- Safety: CDs are considered relatively safe investments because they are typically insured by the government up to a certain limit (e.g., up to $250,000...
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4
Upvotes
What is the penalty for early withdrawal of a CD?
Reply
4
Lauren Smith, WalletHub Staff Writer
@laurenellesmith
The penalty for early withdrawal of a CD could be 7 to 700+ days' worth of interest, a percentage of the amount withdrawn, or a percentage of the interest earned. The exact penalty will vary by financial institution, term length, and the specific account.
Federal law sets the minimum penalty at 7 days' simple interest if you withdraw your money from a CD within the first 6 days after you make your initial deposit....
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Expert Opinions
To help people understand the CD rates a bit better, WalletHub posed the following questions to a panel of banking experts. You can meet the panel and check out their comments below. Just click “Read More” to see an expert’s responses.
- What advice do you have for someone looking for the best CD rates right now?
- What are the biggest/most common mistakes that people make when shopping for certificates of deposit?
- Does it make sense for savers to consider local banks and credit unions in addition to larger financial institutions?
- Is it a good idea to keep money in a CD right now?
William Klinger
Professor of Business at Raritan Valley Community College
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Sheri Geddes
Business Instructor - Accounting, Washtenaw Community College
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Shawn Tysiak
Senior Lecturer of Finance, John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation, The University of Toledo
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Steven R. Wasserman
Senior Lecturer, Finance Department, Bentley University
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Matthew L. Carey
Senior Clinical Lecturer, Director of The Center for Financial Market Studies, LaPenta School of Business, Iona University
Read More
Kyle S. Wells
Professor of Finance, Utah Tech University, College of Business
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More Experts