Compare CD Rates for May 2025

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CD rates are at a high - don't miss out! Explore the top CD accounts for secure investments and guaranteed returns. Grow your savings now.

Who is paying the best rates on CDs?

Top CreditDonkey Picks:

Best Short TermWestern Alliance Bank: 3-Month High-Yield CD - 4.40% APY
Best Long Termmph.bank: 60-Month Callable CD - 4.45% APY
Best No-PenaltySallie Mae Bank: 10-Month No Penalty CD - 4.30% APY
Most PopularBlue Federal Credit Union: 7-Month High-Yield CD - 4.25% APY

How much do you want to deposit in a CD?

Highest CD Rates By Popular Terms

What is the highest paying CD rate right now?
Here are some of the top CD rates by term:

TermBank and Yield Rate
3 MonthWestern Alliance Bank: 3-Month High-Yield CD - 4.40% APY
6 MonthGenerations Bank: 6-Month High-Yield CD - 4.15% APY
9 MonthBlue Federal Credit Union: 9-Month High-Yield CD - 4.15% APY
1 YearFirst Financial Northwest: 18-Month High-Yield CD - 4.15% APY
18 MonthAmerican First Credit Union: 18-Month High-Yield CD - 3.80% APY
2 YearAlways.bank: 24-Month Callable CD - 3.95% APY
3 YearGenerations Bank: 36-Month Callable CD - 4.35% APY
4 YearSkyOne Federal Credit Union: 48-Month Callable CD - 4.15% APY

All banks on our list are insured by the FDIC, and all credit unions are insured by the NCUA. This means if the bank or credit union fails, the federal government protects your money up to $250,000 per depositor.

Don't Want to Lock In Your Funds? Try a No-Penalty CD

A No-Penalty CD lets you take out your money early with no early withdrawal fees. This lets you:

  • Preserve capital and earn guaranteed returns without tying up funds
  • Retain flexibility to move your funds if you see a better investment opportunity
  • Access your funds if there's an emergency

So if there's a chance you might need your funds, try a No-Penalty CD for the same stability, but without the commitment.

Top No-Penalty CD Rates:

Featured No Penalty CD
Sallie Mae Bank

Why Open a CD Account?

CDs are a secure way to earn interest. You'll get the benefits of:

  • Stability & Guaranteed Returns
    Your interest rate is locked in for the duration of the CD term. Even if interest rates fall in the economy, you'll still keep your same APY. (But this also means you could miss out if interest rates rise.)

  • High Interest Rates
    CDs often offer higher interest rates than regular savings accounts. It's an easy way to grow money that you don't need right away.

  • Many Term Options
    Most banks offer CDs with a variety of term options to suit your timeline. They can be from just 1 month all the way up to 10 years.

Pro Tip: If you have a huge sum to deposit, split that up into multiple CDs. This way, if an emergency comes up and you need to dip into your funds, you won't need to withdraw the entire sum.

Featured CD
Blue Federal Credit Union

7-Month High-Yield CD - 4.25% APY

  • No fees
  • $1 minimum deposit
  • 24/7 online access to funds
  • Federally insured by NCUA

What's the Catch?

CDs can be a great investment, but before you jump in, there are some cons to be aware of:

  • Early Withdrawal Penalties
    Withdrawing your money early before the term is up will cost you. It's usually a few months' worth of interest, and sometimes, can even dip into the principal.

    Like mentioned above, if you're not sure about committing your funds, it's best to open a no-penalty CD.

    Featured No Penalty CD
    Sallie Mae Bank

  • No Additional Deposits
    Unlike savings accounts, you typically can't add more deposits to your CD once it's opened. If you have more to save, you have to open a new CD.

What to Look for in a CD Account

  • Term: You want a CD term that fits your financial goals. For example, if you're planning to buy a house in a year, look for CD terms around 1 year.

  • Interest Rate: You want the highest APY to earn bigger returns. Make sure to look around and compare rates.

  • Minimum Deposit: Some banks may require $500 to $2,500 to open a CD. However, many online banks and credit unions have no minimums or require only a few dollars.

Is a CD Right for Me?

If you have a chunk of money to keep safe, a CD could be a great option since there's very little risk and you get stable returns.

But since CDs lock in your funds for a fixed amount of time, it's best to make sure you really won't need the money.

If there's any chance at all you might need it, look for a special kind of CD called a "no-penalty CD." This CD is more flexible and lets you withdraw early without a fee.

Top No-Penalty CD Rates:

Not sure if a CD is right for your goals? Here are other investment options you can consider:

High-yield savings accounts
A high-yield savings account lets you add more deposits or withdraw money when you need to. These savings accounts are currently offering APYs just as high as CDs, but the rate is not fixed.

Compare Savings Account Offers

Money market accounts
Some money market accounts come with a debit card, ATM access, and a checkbook. They can also offer competitive rates but they can change over time, unlike CDs.

Compare Money Market Account Offers

Featured Savings Accounts
Western Alliance Bank
Member FDIC

High Yield Savings Account - 4.25% APY

on Raisin's Secure Website
  • No fees
  • $1 minimum deposit
  • 24/7 online access
  • FDIC insured
Mission Valley Bank

High Yield Savings Account - 4.27% APY

  • $1 minimum deposit
  • No fees
  • 24/7 online access to funds
  • FDIC insured

Bottom Line

A CD is one of the safest ways to grow your money with steady, guaranteed returns. And plus, rates are at a high right now, so it's a great time to open an account.

Just make sure that you're ok with tying up your funds for money for the specific term. Or if you think you might need the money, go for a no-penalty CD because you can withdraw early if you need to.

Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.


Best CD Rates

March 27, 2017 - Reviews for Bank Reviews & Deals
Unearth the highest CD rates and maximize your savings. This list showcases the banks with the most lucrative rates.

About CreditDonkey
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Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

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