Best CD Rates of July 2026: Up to 4.30%

  1. Spencer Tierney Author Avatar
  2. Kate Ashford, WMS™ Author Avatar
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Last updated on July 10, 2026
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Certificates of deposit (CDs) let you earn guaranteed returns for a set period by locking in fixed rates, which can be higher than those offered by regular savings accounts. The best CD rates today are still around 4%, with the current highest rate of 4.30% offered at different terms by Newtek Bank, Connexus Credit Union and NASA Federal Credit Union.

Top offers include:

  • NASA Federal Credit Union, 49-month certificate: 4.30% APY.

  • Connexus Credit Union, 17-month certificate: 4.30% APY.

  • Newtek Bank, 13-month CD: 4.30% APY.

  • NASA Federal Credit Union, 5-year certificate: 4.28% APY.

  • Consumers Credit Union, 7-month certificate: 4.25% APY.

  • TAB Bank, 5-year CD: 4.20% APY.

  • OMB Bank, 13-month CD: 4.19% APY.

Check out the best CD rates across term lengths below. Scroll down to explore the best banks for multiple CDs and to learn more about certificates.

APYs shown are current as of July 10, 2026. All other information is current as of June 26, 2026.

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    NerdWallet Rating
    Best APY
    Lowest Min Deposit
    Shortest Term Length

    3 - 6 Months
    19
    7 - 12 Months
    29
    13 Months - 3 Years
    26
    3+ Years
    13

    $0 - $499
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Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD

Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD

APY

4.00%

Minimum deposit

Min. deposit

$500

Term

9mo

Learn moreon partner's site
at Goldman Sachs Bank USA,
Member FDIC
NerdWallet's take

Marcus by Goldman Sachs is the online consumer bank that’s part of Goldman Sachs. It offers a variety of term lengths and types of CDs. The opening minimum of $500 is low. Most CD rates are generally competitive.

Read full review

Pros

Has wide range of competitive APYs.

Offers no-penalty and bump-up CDs.

Low minimum deposit.

Cons

You can find higher APYs for some terms elsewhere.

Bread Savings® CD

Bread Savings® CD

APY

4.00%

Minimum deposit

Min. deposit

$1,500

Term

1yr

Learn moreon partner's site
at Bread Savings®,
Member FDIC
NerdWallet's take

The online bank Bread Savings® has a competitive lineup of CDs. But the opening minimum of $1,500 is a little higher than average.

Read full review

Pros

Has consistently competitive APYs.

Wide range of CD terms.

Cons

Somewhat high minimum deposit.

Bread Savings® CD

Bread Savings® CD

APY

4.00%

Minimum deposit

Min. deposit

$1,500

Term

6mo

Learn moreon partner's site
at Bread Savings®,
Member FDIC
NerdWallet's take

The online bank Bread Savings® has a competitive lineup of CDs. But the opening minimum of $1,500 is a little higher than average.

Read full review

Pros

Has consistently competitive APYs.

Wide range of CD terms.

Cons

Somewhat high minimum deposit.

E*TRADE Certificate of Deposit

E*TRADE Certificate of Deposit

APY

4.10%

Minimum deposit

Min. deposit

$0

Term

1yr

Learn moreon partner's site
at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association,
Member FDIC
NerdWallet's take

The online investing platform, owned by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, has a digital banking platform that includes a decent selection of competitive high-yield CDs. Funding a CD in the first 10 days comes with a guarantee that you get the highest rate within that period. But the penalties for early withdrawals, which go up as high as 15 months of interest, are far higher than the maximum at some banks. Note that these CDs differ from E*TRADE’s brokered CDs, which are also available. Brokered CDs are more like bonds in that you can buy and either sell early or hold to maturity.

Read full review

Pros

Has mostly competitive APYs.

No minimum deposit.

Cons

Early withdrawal penalties are on the higher end.

E*TRADE Certificate of Deposit

E*TRADE Certificate of Deposit

APY

4.05%

Minimum deposit

Min. deposit

$0

Term

6mo

Learn moreon partner's site
at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association,
Member FDIC
NerdWallet's take

The online investing platform, owned by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, has a digital banking platform that includes a decent selection of competitive high-yield CDs. Funding a CD in the first 10 days comes with a guarantee that you get the highest rate within that period. But the penalties for early withdrawals, which go up as high as 15 months of interest, are far higher than the maximum at some banks. Note that these CDs differ from E*TRADE’s brokered CDs, which are also available. Brokered CDs are more like bonds in that you can buy and either sell early or hold to maturity.

Read full review

Pros

Has mostly competitive APYs.

No minimum deposit.

Cons

Early withdrawal penalties are on the higher end.

14M term avail until 7/28/26. APY may change before CD is opened & funded.

14M term avail until 7/28/26. APY may change before CD is opened & funded.

APY

4.10%

Minimum deposit

Min. deposit

$500

Term

14mo

Learn moreon partner's site
at Goldman Sachs Bank USA,
Member FDIC
NerdWallet's take

Marcus by Goldman Sachs is the online consumer bank that’s part of Goldman Sachs. It offers a variety of term lengths and types of CDs. The opening minimum of $500 is low. Most CD rates are generally competitive.

Read full review

Pros

Has wide range of competitive APYs.

Offers no-penalty and bump-up CDs.

Low minimum deposit.

Cons

You can find higher APYs for some terms elsewhere.

Bread Savings® CD

Bread Savings® CD

APY

4.00%

Minimum deposit

Min. deposit

$1,500

Term

5yr

Learn moreon partner's site
at Bread Savings®,
Member FDIC
NerdWallet's take

The online bank Bread Savings® has a competitive lineup of CDs. But the opening minimum of $1,500 is a little higher than average.

Read full review

Pros

Has consistently competitive APYs.

Wide range of CD terms.

Cons

Somewhat high minimum deposit.

Bread Savings® CD

Bread Savings® CD

APY

4.00%

Minimum deposit

Min. deposit

$1,500

Term

3yr

Learn moreon partner's site
at Bread Savings®,
Member FDIC
NerdWallet's take

The online bank Bread Savings® has a competitive lineup of CDs. But the opening minimum of $1,500 is a little higher than average.

Read full review

Pros

Has consistently competitive APYs.

Wide range of CD terms.

Cons

Somewhat high minimum deposit.

Bread Savings® CD

Bread Savings® CD

APY

4.15%

Minimum deposit

Min. deposit

$1,500

Term

9mo

Learn moreon partner's site
at Bread Savings®,
Member FDIC
NerdWallet's take

The online bank Bread Savings® has a competitive lineup of CDs. But the opening minimum of $1,500 is a little higher than average.

Read full review

Pros

Has consistently competitive APYs.

Wide range of CD terms.

Cons

Somewhat high minimum deposit.

Synchrony Bank CD

Synchrony Bank CD

APY

4.00%

Minimum deposit

Min. deposit

$0

Term

14mo

Learn moreon partner's site
at Synchrony Bank,
Member FDIC
NerdWallet's take

The online bank has one of the largest number of high-yield CD terms, particularly between one and two years. There are also no-penalty and bump-up CDs. Yields tend to vary in competitiveness.

Read full review

Pros

Has wide range of competitive APYs.

No minimum deposit.

Offers no-penalty and bump-up CDs.

Cons

You can find higher APYs for some terms elsewhere.

Calculate how much you could earn with a CD
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Today's national savings average: 0.38% APY

The calculator information provided is for educational purposes only. Projections generated are hypothetical and not a guarantee of future results.

Best CD rates at top banks for July 2026

NerdWallet reviewed the institutions below and rated them highly for their overall CD offerings. That means that the CDs have competitive rates across multiple traditional term lengths, and are available nationwide.A key advantage to getting CDs from one of these institutions is the ability to open several high-yield certificates as part of a CD ladder, which is a type of savings strategy. See the best banks and credit unions for CDs below.
  • Marcus by Goldman Sachs
    Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD
    NerdWallet Rating
    5.0

    Certificates of deposit
    Customer experience
    Traditional Terms
    1-year APY 3.90%
     
    3-year APY 3.70%
     
    5-year APY 3.80%
     
    Annual percentage yield3.70% - 4.10%
    Min. Deposit to open$500
    Term6 months - 6 years
    NerdWallet's Take

    Launched in 2016, the online bank Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers an extensive lineup of CDs. Its one-year CD has an APY of 3.90% APY (annual percentage yield) as of 06/25/2026. APY may change before CD is opened and funded. Funding within the first 10 days guarantees that you'll get the highest rate for the term offered in that period. The minimum deposit requirement of $500 is low compared to other online banks. Early withdrawal penalties are lower than at some competitors. The bank also has two specialty CDs, which have rare perks: Bump-up CDs let you request a rate increase if APYs go up, and no-penalty CDs give you the ability to redeem a certificate earlier than maturity at no cost.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros

    Has wide range of competitive APYs.

    Offers no-penalty and bump-up CDs.

    Low minimum deposit.

    Cons

    You can find higher APYs for some terms elsewhere.

    Full List of Reviewed CD Rates
    TermAPYMin Deposit
    6 months3.95%$500
    7 months no-penalty3.75%$500
    9 months4.00%$500
    11 months no-penalty4.00%$500
    1 year3.90%$500
    13 months no-penalty3.80%$500
    14 months4.10%$500
    1.5 years3.80%$500
    20 months bump-up3.75%$500
    2 years3.70%$500
    3 years3.70%$500
    4 years3.70%$500
    5 years3.80%$500
    6 years3.80%$500
  • TAB Bank
    TAB Bank CD
    NerdWallet Rating
    4.3

    Certificates of deposit
    Customer experience
    Traditional Terms
    1-year APY 4.00%
     
    3-year APY 4.15%
     
    5-year APY 4.20%
     
    Annual percentage yield4.00% - 4.20%
    Min. Deposit to open$1,000
    Term1 year - 5 years
    NerdWallet's Take

    TAB Bank’s name is a nod to its roots supporting the trucking industry: Transportation Alliance Bank. The online bank’s CDs have a limited range of terms in mostly year increments, but rates tend to be competitive. The $1,000 opening minimum is fairly low.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros

    Has mostly competitive APYs.

    Somewhat low minimum deposit.

    Cons

    Lacks most short-term CDs.

    Full List of Reviewed CD Rates
    TermAPYMin Deposit
    1 year4.00%$1,000
    1.5 years4.05%$1,000
    2 years4.10%$1,000
    3 years4.15%$1,000
    4 years4.15%$1,000
    5 years4.20%$1,000
  • NASA Federal Credit Union
    NASA Federal Credit Union Share Certificate
    NerdWallet Rating
    4.2

    Share certificates
    Customer experience
    Traditional Terms
    1-year APY 4.05%
     
    3-year APY 4.15%
     
    5-year APY 4.28%
     
    Annual percentage yield4.00% - 4.30%
    Min. Deposit to open$1,000
    Term6 months - 5 years
    NerdWallet's Take

    You don't have to be a NASA employee to join the NASA Federal Credit Union. One way to join is by agreeing to a temporary and free one-year membership to the National Space Society. NASA FCU’s share certificates have competitive rates and variety, including bump-up options which allow for a rate increase if APYs go up. Penalties for withdrawing early are somewhat steep. Most terms require a relatively low minimum of $1,000, but some irregular terms have a high minimum of $10,000, along with higher rates.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros

    Has consistently competitive APYs.

    Somewhat low minimum deposit for most terms.

    Offers bump-up certificates.

    Cons

    High minimum deposit for some terms.

    Full List of Reviewed Certificate Rates
    TermAPYMin Deposit
    6 months4.00%$1,000
    9 months4.20%$10,000
    1 year4.05%$1,000
    15 months4.25%$10,000
    2 years4.10%$1,000
    2 years bump-up4.00%$1,000
    3 years4.15%$1,000
    3 years bump-up4.05%$1,000
    4 years4.20%$1,000
    49 months4.30%$10,000
    5 years4.28%$1,000
  • Popular Direct
    Popular Direct CD
    NerdWallet Rating
    4.5

    Certificates of deposit
    Customer experience
    Traditional Terms
    1-year APY 4.15%
     
    3-year APY 3.85%
     
    5-year APY 3.30%
     
    Annual percentage yield3.30% - 4.20%
    Min. Deposit to open$10,000
    Term3 months - 5 years
    NerdWallet's Take

    Started in 2016, Popular Direct is the online branch of the New York-chartered Popular Bank. Its opening minimum requirement of $10,000 is one of the highest among online banks. Early withdrawal penalties tend to be steep, such as two years of interest for a five-year CD. Rates tend to be consistently competitive.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros

    Has consistently competitive APYs.

    Wide range of CD terms.

    Cons

    High minimum deposit.

    Full List of Reviewed CD Rates
    TermAPYMin Deposit
    3 months3.90%$10,000
    6 months4.10%$10,000
    1 year4.15%$10,000
    1.5 years4.20%$10,000
    2 years3.85%$10,000
    3 years3.85%$10,000
    4 years3.30%$10,000
    5 years3.30%$10,000
  • Morgan Stanley Private Bank (E*TRADE)
    E*TRADE Certificate of Deposit
    NerdWallet Rating
    4.4

    Certificates of deposit
    Customer experience
    Traditional Terms
    1-year APY 4.10%
     
    3-year APY 4.00%
     
    5-year APY 4.10%
     
    Annual percentage yield4.00% - 4.10%
    Min. Deposit to open$0
    Term6 months - 5 years
    NerdWallet's Take

    E*TRADE is an online investing platform owned by Morgan Stanley Private Bank. Its digital banking platform includes a decent selection of competitive high-yield CDs. Funding a CD in the first 10 days comes with a guarantee that you get the highest rate within that period. But the penalties for early withdrawals, which go up as high as 15 months of interest, are far higher than the maximum at some banks. Note that these CDs differ from E*TRADE’s brokered CDs, which are also available. Brokered CDs are more like bonds in that you can buy and either sell early or hold to maturity.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros

    Has mostly competitive APYs.

    No minimum deposit.

    Cons

    Early withdrawal penalties are on the higher end.

    Full List of Reviewed CD Rates
    TermAPYMin Deposit
    6 months4.05%$0
    9 months4.10%$0
    1 year4.10%$0
    1.5 years4.00%$0
    2 years4.00%$0
    3 years4.00%$0
    5 years4.10%$0
  • Bread Savings®
    Bread Savings® CD
    NerdWallet Rating
    4.9

    Certificates of deposit
    Customer experience
    Traditional Terms
    1-year APY 4.00%
     
    3-year APY 4.00%
     
    5-year APY 4.00%
     
    Annual percentage yield3.80% - 4.15%
    Min. Deposit to open$1,500
    Term3 months - 5 years
    NerdWallet's Take

    Bread Savings® is an online-only banking division of Bread Financial. The bank offers consistently high CD rates. The $1,500 minimum balance is somewhat steep among online banks. Early withdrawal penalties are a little costlier than at some other online banks: About six months of interest for CD terms from one to three years and one year of interest for four- and five-year CDs.

    Pros and Cons

    Pros

    Has high APYs.

    Wide range of CD terms.

    Cons

    Somewhat high minimum deposit.

    Full List of Reviewed CD Rates
    TermAPYMin Deposit
    3 months3.80%$1,500
    6 months4.00%$1,500
    9 months4.15%$1,500
    1 year4.00%$1,500
    1.5 years4.00%$1,500
    2 years4.00%$1,500
    3 years4.00%$1,500
    4 years4.00%$1,500
    5 years4.00%$1,500
Why trust NerdWallet

Strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage to help you choose the financial accounts that work best for you. See our criteria for evaluating banks and credit unions.

Around 100 financial institutions surveyed by our team of experts.

More than 50 data points considered for each bank and credit union to be eligible for our lists. For this CD list, more than five data points were considered per institution.

Key takeaways

  • CDs work best as a supplemental savings strategy. Unlike savings accounts, CDs are not for your everyday or emergency savings.

  • CDs can be helpful for locking up savings for a big purchase within the next five years.

  • They are also a good tool to earn returns without much risk, especially closer to or during retirement.

  • CD terms typically range from three months to five years. You want to be sure you can keep funds locked up the entire time. Otherwise you’ll typically pay an early withdrawal penalty that can wipe out some or all of your interest.

Best CD rates news

Where CD rates are right now: The best CD rates remain relatively high. They range from about 3.50% to 4.30% APY across various terms, based on NerdWallet analysis. The best short-term CDs, such as three months to one year, still have the highest rates of all CD terms.

Where CD rates are going: Three Fed rate cuts in late 2025 contributed to a downward trajectory for CD rates at the start of 2026. But there’s been a different trend this summer. We saw a surprising number of banks and credit unions – almost two dozen – increase CD rates in May 2026, double the number that decreased rates. Rate increases continued in June. One factor may be the increased uncertainty over the direction of the Fed rate, which has stayed steady this year, and the notion that the Fed may actually raise its rate later this year.

Fed impact: Banks and credit unions tend to follow the direction of the Fed rates when determining their CD rates. Tariffs, geopolitical conditions, and other factors that may contribute to inflation have led to more economic uncertainty. The Fed’s overall strategy is to slowly lower its rate as inflation goes down -– or raise its rate if inflation goes up. Learn more about where rates are headed in our CD rate forecast.

Recent CD rate changes:

June 25, 2026:

  • 📈 Capital One raised its one-year CD rate (3.90% to 4.00%).

June 15, 2026:

  • 📈 Popular Direct raised its one-year CD rate (4.11% to 4.15%) and its 18-month CD rate (3.90% to 4.20%).

  • 📈 Bask Bank raised its three-month CD rate (3.85% to 3.95%) and its one-year CD rate (4.05% to 4.10%).

  • 📈 Consumers Credit Union raised its seven-month certificate rate (4.10% to 4.25%).

June 3, 2026:

  • 📉 Ally lowered its 11-month no-penalty CD rate (2.80% to 2.70%).

May 22, 2026:

  • 📈 Bread Savings raised six of its CD rates, all by 15 basis points. Example: Its five-year CD rate (3.85% to 4.00%).

The right time for CDs ultimately depends on your savings goals, but if you’re in the market for them, consider locking in today's high CD rates.

More Nerdy Perspective

"When shopping for CDs, go for the best APY for the term length you want. The highest rates right now tend to be on shorter terms. Keep in mind, though, that a longer-term CD with a lower rate can earn more than a shorter-term CD simply because it's open for a longer stretch. If you want the flexibility to redeem a CD early at no cost, a few banks offer no-penalty CDs.”

Spencer Tierney's profile picture
Spencer Tierney

Best CD rates today by term

If you’re looking for the highest rates for popular terms, here’s a breakdown of today’s best CD rates for five standard terms:

CD term

Institution and CD rate

3 months

OMB Bank: 4.05% APY.

6 months

Newtek Bank: 4.00% APY.

1 year

Popular Direct: 4.15% APY.

3 years

TAB Bank: 4.15% APY.

5 years

TAB Bank: 4.20% APY.

Note: This table is based on CD rates currently shown elsewhere on this page.

Current CD rates: highest, high-yield and national averages

The high-yield CD rates featured on this page are more than twice the various national averages.

Video preview image
🤓

Nerdy Tip

A lower rate can outearn a higher rate. A 1-year CD with a 4.00% APY will get you more interest than with a 6-month, 4.50% APY CD. If you had $10,000 to deposit, you'd earn around $220 with the 6-month CD and $400 with the lower-rate 1-year CD. When comparing CD rates, use a CD calculator to see how much you can earn with different term lengths.

Additional resources

Alternatives to CDs

Last updated on July 10, 2026

Methodology: How we rate banks and credit unions

Banking writers and editors use an objective methodology to rate banks, credit unions, and other providers, and to recommend the best products.

100+

Financial institutions reviewed

We took a close look at around 100 financial institutions and financial service providers, including the largest U.S. banks based on assets, internet search traffic and other factors; the nation’s largest credit unions, based on assets and membership; and other notable players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more.

30+

Categories assessed

Each provider is evaluated across five weighted categories and 30 subcategories, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, customer experience, and overdraft services. For banks or credit unions without one or more types of accounts, the overall rating is modified to include only applicable categories. Institutions are not penalized if they don't offer every type of account.

60+

Data points analyzed

We considered more than 60 data points for each provider. Depending on the category, these included account fees and rates (such as annual percentage yields), ATM and branch access, account features, account bonuses, customer service access and user-facing technology, such as innovative tools and mobile apps. We gathered this information for each financial institution from its website, a media representative or both.

Certificate of deposit star rating categories

Providers with the best CDs (or share certificates, as credit unions call them) generally have interest rates for six-month, one-year, three-year and five-year terms that tend to be at least twice their national averages. Minimum opening deposits tend to be lower than $3,000, but not always. Institutions with at least one of four specialty CDs (no-penalty, add-on, step-up or bump-up CDs) may get extra marks. Banks with a limited number of term lengths receive lower marks.

Financial institutions and providers surveyed are: Affirm, All America Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Alto, Amalgamated Bank, American Express National Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Associated Bank, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, Barclays, Bask Bank, BMO, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Bread Savings®, BrioDirect, Capital One, Cash App, CFG Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIBC U.S., CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank, Climate First Bank, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Current, Customers Bank, Discover® Bank, E*TRADE, EverBank, Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation, First Internet Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, FNBO Direct, Forbright Bank, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, GO2bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Hope Credit Union, Happen Bank, HSBC Bank, Huntington Bank, Ivy Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, My Banking Direct, NASA Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC, Newtek Bank, OMB Bank, OnePay, Openbank, PayPal, Peak Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Poppy Bank, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Regions Bank, Revolut, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Securityplus Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Credit Union, Service Credit Union, SoFi, State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Upgrade, USAA Bank, Valley Bank, Varo, Venmo, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo, Western Alliance Bank, Zolve and Zynlo Bank.

NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for banks and credit unions and our editorial guidelines

Frequently asked questions

  • Are CDs safe?

    Yes. Most banks and credit unions insure your money in a CD up to $250,000 per person per account type, such as single-owned and joint accounts. See more details about how CDs are FDIC insured. Plus, your returns are guaranteed as long as you don’t withdraw early, in which case you may have to pay a penalty.

  • Are CDs worth it?

    Certificates of deposit require more of a commitment than a regular savings account since you're locking away some savings for a future date. This feature can be helpful for some goals but not for others, such as emergency savings, since you’ll want that money to be easy to access when you need it. While CDs have the perks of fixed rates and higher yields traditionally than other bank accounts, withdrawing from CDs early usually results in a penalty. Take a closer look at when CDs are worth it.

  • Do you pay taxes on CD interest?

    Yes. Interest earned in CDs is taxable as interest income. Your bank or credit union will usually give you a Form 1099-INT that states the interest each year, unless the amount is under $10. The IRS notes that you generally include interest from CDs when you receive it, regardless of when the CD matures. So for CDs with terms longer than a year, the portion of interest earned each year gets reported and counted as taxable income.

  • Do CDs have fees?

    CDs don’t have monthly fees like checking or savings accounts might have, but they generally have a penalty if you withdraw before the CD term expires. This early withdrawal penalty tends to be several months’ to years' worth of interest, so it’s usually best to wait to access funds from a CD once it expires. The exception is no-penalty CDs.

  • Can you lose money on a CD?

    It’s highly unlikely, but possible. Here are three scenarios:

    • If you withdraw early, the penalty can be steep enough at some banks to dig into the initial amount you put into a CD.

    • If you put more money into a CD than FDIC insurance covers – such as $250,000 for a single account owner at a bank – and the bank fails, you could possibly lose the amount not covered by the FDIC.

    • If inflation stays higher than your CD’s rate, the CD’s returns might not be enough to overcome the way inflation erodes purchasing power over time.