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Current CD Rates, Octobrer 2025: APYs Drop
High-yield CD rates have begun dropping more than they have so far in 2025. See rates by CD term below.
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Spencer Tierney is a consumer banking writer at NerdWallet. He has covered personal finance since 2013, with a focus on certificates of deposit and other banking-related topics. His work has been featured by The Washington Post, USA Today, The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times, among others. He is based in Oakland, California.
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Current high-yield CD rates have dropped to or below the 4% range after the Fed’s first rate cut of the year in September. Skip down to see current CD rates.
The Fed dropped its benchmark interest rate in September 2025. Excellent interest rates are still available on certificates of deposit, but they may start to trend lower.
2025 data highlight: CDs start to dip again
CD rates at nearly two dozen online banks and credit unions saw a slowdown in their descent from December 2024 through much of 2025. However, rates started to drop more significantly in September 2025 after the Fed rate cut. Previous rate dips were up to 10 basis points (0.10 percentage point).
CD term
Median APY:
Sept. 2024
Median APY:
Jan. 2025
Median APY: Sept. 2025
6-month CD
4.55%.
4.00%.
3.78%.
1-year CD
4.60%.
4.00%.
3.90%.
3-year CD
3.90%.
3.50%.
3.50%.
5-year CD
3.60%.
3.50%.
3.40%.
See methodology details
Medians, or midpoints, consist of APYs of CDs or share certificates collected from the websites of the following 21 financial institutions: Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Barclays, BMO Alto, Bread Savings®, Capital One, Citizens, Connexus Credit Union, Discover Bank, EverBank, LendingClub, Live Oak Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Sallie Mae Bank, Self-Help Credit Union, Synchrony Bank and TAB Bank. In cases where an institution doesn’t offer a specific term, the median of remaining institutions was used. Dates of collection were Sept. 19, 2024; Jan. 28, 2025; and Sept. 25, 2025.
See previous data (August 2025)
CD term
Median APY:
Sept. 2024
Median APY:
Jan. 2025
Median APY: August 2025
6-month CD
4.55%.
4.00%.
3.90%.
1-year CD
4.60%.
4.00%.
4.00%.
3-year CD
3.90%.
3.50%.
3.50%.
5-year CD
3.60%.
3.50%.
3.50%.
See methodology details
Medians, or midpoints, consist of APYs of CDs or share certificates collected from the websites of the following 21 financial institutions: Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Barclays, BMO Alto, Bread Savings®, Capital One, Citizens, Connexus Credit Union, Discover Bank, EverBank, LendingClub, Live Oak Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Sallie Mae Bank, Self-Help Credit Union, Synchrony Bank and TAB Bank. In cases where an institution doesn’t offer a specific term, the median of remaining institutions was used. Dates of collection were Sept. 19, 2024; Jan. 28, 2025; and Aug. 25, 2025.
See previous data (June 2025)
CD term
Median APY:
Sept. 2024
Median APY:
Dec. 2024
Median APY: June 2025
6-month CD
4.55%.
4.00%.
3.85%.
1-year CD
4.60%.
4.10%.
4.00%.
3-year CD
3.90%.
3.50%.
3.50%.
5-year CD
3.60%.
3.50%.
3.50%.
See methodology details
Medians, or midpoints, consist of APYs of CDs or share certificates collected from the websites of the following 21 financial institutions: Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Barclays, BMO Alto, Bread Savings®, Capital One, Citizens, Connexus Credit Union, Discover Bank, EverBank, LendingClub, Live Oak Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Sallie Mae Bank, Self-Help Credit Union, Synchrony Bank and TAB Bank. In cases where an institution doesn’t offer a specific term, the median of remaining institutions was used. Dates of collection were Sept. 19, 2024; Dec. 16, 2024; and June 25, 2025.
See previous data (December 2024)
CD term
Median APY:
Late Jan. 2024
Median APY:
Mid-Dec. 2024
Change
6-month CD
5.00%.
4.00%.
-1 percentage point (100 basis points).
1-year CD
5.10%.
4.10%.
-1 percentage point (100 basis points).
3-year CD
4.25%.
3.50%.
-0.75 percentage point (75 basis points).
5-year CD
4.00%.
3.50%.
-0.50 percentage point (50 basis points).
See methodology details
Medians, or midpoints, consist of APYs of CDs or share certificates collected from the websites of the following 21 financial institutions: Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Barclays, BMO Alto, Bread Savings, Capital One, Citizens, Connexus Credit Union, Discover Bank, EverBank, LendingClub, Live Oak Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Sallie Mae Bank, Self-Help Credit Union, Synchrony Bank and TAB Bank. In cases where an institution doesn’t offer a specific term, the median of remaining institutions was used. Dates of collection were Jan. 26, 2024, and Dec. 16, 2024.
See previous data (September 2024)
CD term
Median APY:
Late Jan. 2024
Median APY:
Late Sept. 2024
Change
6-month CD
5.00%.
4.55%.
-0.45 percentage point (45 basis points).
1-year CD
5.10%.
4.60%.
-0.50 percentage point (50 basis points).
3-year CD
4.25%.
3.90%.
-0.35 percentage point (35 basis points).
5-year CD
4.00%.
3.60%.
-0.40 percentage point (40 basis points).
See methodology details
Medians, or midpoints, consist of APYs of CDs or share certificates collected from the websites of the following 21 financial institutions: Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Barclays, BMO Alto, Bread Savings, Capital One, Citizens, Connexus Credit Union, Discover Bank, EverBank, LendingClub, Live Oak Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Sallie Mae Bank, Self-Help Credit Union, Synchrony Bank and TAB Bank. In cases where an institution doesn’t offer a specific term, the median of remaining institutions was used. Dates of collection were Jan. 26, 2024, and Sept. 19, 2024.
CD rate trend 2025: higher short-term CDs
The trend of shorter-term CD rates being higher than longer-term CD rates continues into 2025, both for national averages and among high-yield CDs. While seeing CD rates around 4% can be nice, the term length is also important. You earn less interest with a six-month CD than a one-year CD with the same rate.
Overview: high-yield and national CD rates
Online-only banks and credit unions continue to have the most competitive interest rates on certificates of deposit, but these high-yield CD rates are expected to keep dropping as the Fed cuts its federal funds rate. See more details in our CD rate forecast.
National average CD rates have also been higher than they’ve been for most of the past decade, though they remain far lower than CDs at online institutions. The gradual rise of online high-yield CD rates started in July 2021, after a relatively low-rate environment in 2020 and early 2021. After three Fed rate cuts in the second half of 2024, CD rates started dropping but remained fairly steady for most of 2025. The Fed rate cut in September 2025 spurred more CD rate drops. (See more context about historical CD rates.)
High-yield CD rates today can be several times the national average of 1.34% APY for five-year terms and the national average of 1.70% APY for one-year terms. Unlike regular savings accounts, most CDs have fixed rates, so you can lock in a higher rate while it lasts.
Here's a look at current CD rates at some online banks and credit unions.
Current promotional CD rates
The following promotional CD rates stand out based on NerdWallet’s data analysis in late September 2025. Expiration dates for a promo are shown when available.
In general, promotional rates tend to be for irregular CD terms and featured on banking websites as a “promotional rate” or “CD special.” (For more details, see how promotional CD rates work.)
All Bread Savings APYs are accurate as of 09/25/2025. APYs are subject to change at any time without notice. Offers apply to personal accounts only. Fees may reduce earnings. To open a CD, a minimum of $1,500 is required and must be deposited in a single transaction. A penalty will be imposed for early withdrawals on CDs. At maturity, your CD will automatically renew and earn the base interest rate in effect at that time. Rates are compared against competitor rates published by NerdWallet.com and the institutions themselves as of 09/25/2025. NerdWallet.com obtains the data from the various banks that it tracks and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
A savings account is a place where you can store money securely while earning interest.
A savings account is a place where you can store money securely while earning interest.
4.25%Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 01/09/2025. APY may change at any time before or after the account is opened. Available only online.
5.00%Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of June 17th, 2025. Start earning 2.50% APY, then qualify to earn 5.00% APY on your balance up to $5,000.00 and 2.50% APY on balances over $5,000 next month by 1) Receiving direct deposit(s) totaling $1,000 or more; and 2) Ending the month with a positive balance in all your Varo Accounts. No fees, no minimums required. Rates subject to change at any time.
3.75%Annual Percentage Yield (APY) may change at any time and fees may reduce earnings. Please visit etrade.com/ratesheet for more information.
Min. balance for APY
$0
These cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
These cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
Up to 4.25%The Base Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is 3.75% as of 09/26/25, but is variable and is subject to change. If you are eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.25% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the three-month promotional period. This limited-time promo offers eligible new Wealthfront clients a 0.50% APY increase over the standard variable base APY for 3 months on up to $250K in their personal Cash Accounts. Cash Account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, and is not a bank. APY (is representative, requires no minimum) is paid from our Program Banks.
4.40%Cash Reserve offered by Betterment LLC and requires a Betterment Securities brokerage account. Betterment is not a bank. Learn More (https://www.betterment.com/cash-portfolio). Annual percentage yield (variable) is 3.75% as of 9/23/25, plus a 0.65% boost (“APY Boost”) for new clients with a qualifying deposit. $10 min deposit for base APY. Terms apply (betterment.com/boost); if the base APY changes, the Boosted APY will change. FDIC insurance provided by Program Banks (https://www.betterment.com/cash-portfolio), subject to certain conditions.
2.00%Annual Percentage Yield (APY). APY may change at any time and fees may reduce earnings. Please visit etrade.com/ratesheet for more information. The $15 monthly account fee can be waived when you maintain an average monthly balance of at least $5,000 in the account on or after the end of the second calendar month from opening the account.
Monthly fee
$15
Money market accounts pay rates similar to savings accounts and have some checking features.
Money market accounts pay rates similar to savings accounts and have some checking features.
