18 Best 1-Year CD Rates for May 2023
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
ALSO CONSIDER: Best online savings || Best checking || Best high-interest accounts
The best one-year CD rates can help boost some of your short-term savings.
Why trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow 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.
Rates featured on this page are far above the national average of 1.59% APY for one-year CDs. These rates apply to 12-month CDs starting when you open and fund them. Here's a list of our picks.
» Want to see a wider pool of high rates? See our list of the best high-interest accounts
ALSO CONSIDER: Best online savings || Best checking || Best high-interest accounts
The best one-year CD rates can help boost some of your short-term savings.
Why trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow 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.
Rates featured on this page are far above the national average of 1.59% APY for one-year CDs. These rates apply to 12-month CDs starting when you open and fund them. Here's a list of our picks.
» Want to see a wider pool of high rates? See our list of the best high-interest accounts
So far, the Federal Reserve has continued to raise rates in 2023, which is good news for your bank account. Take advantage of rising rates with one of the federally insured accounts below.
Best 1-Year CD Rates
| Bank/institution | NerdWallet rating | Minimum deposit | APY | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 BMO CD Learn more at BMO, Member FDIC | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $1,000 Member FDIC | 5.10% | Learn more at BMO, Member FDIC |
 Alliant Credit Union Certificate Learn more at Alliant Credit Union, Federally insured by NCUA | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $1,000 Federally insured by NCUA | 5.00% | Learn more at Alliant Credit Union, Federally insured by NCUA |
 Barclays Online CD Learn more at Barclays, Member FDIC | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $0 Member FDIC | 4.90% | Learn more at Barclays, Member FDIC |
 Sallie Mae Bank CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $2,500 Member FDIC | 4.90% | Read review |
 Popular Direct CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $10,000 Member FDIC | 5.10% | Read review |
 Ivy Bank CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $1,000 Member FDIC | 5.00% | Read review |
 Live Oak Bank CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $2,500 Member FDIC | 5.00% | Read review |
 Nationwide CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $500 | 4.75% | Read review |
 Quontic Bank CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $500 Member FDIC | 4.75% | Read review |
 LendingClub CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $2,500 Member FDIC | 4.75% | Read review |
 Citizens Online CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $5,000 Member FDIC | 5.00% | Read review |
 TIAA Bank Basic CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $1,000 Member FDIC | 4.75% | Read review |
 Bread Savings™️ CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $1,500 Member FDIC | 5.20% | Read review |
 BrioDirect High-Yield CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $500 Deposits are FDIC Insured | 5.25% | Read review |
 CIBC Agility™ Online CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $1,000 Member FDIC | 5.27% | Read review |
 Synchrony Bank CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $0 Member FDIC | 4.75% | Read review |
 Bethpage Federal Credit Union Certificate | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $50 Federally insured by NCUA | 5.00% | Read review |
 Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD | Best for 1-Year CD Rates | $500 Member FDIC | 4.75% | Read review |
You may also like these
People often identify opening a savings account as their next money move.
CIT Bank Platinum Savings
APY
With $5,000 min. balance for APY
at CIT Bank, Member FDIC
SoFi Checking and Savings
APY
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
Earn up to $250 with direct deposit. Terms apply.
at SoFi, Member FDIC
UFB Premier Savings
APY
With $0 min. balance for APY
at UFB Direct, Member FDIC
Our pick for
1-Year CD Rates
$1,000
Member FDIC
5.10%
Why We Like It
BMO's one-year online CD has a solid rate and a relatively low minimum of $1,000. However, the offering isn't available if you're a resident of the following states: Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri or Wisconsin.
$1,000
Federally insured by NCUA
5.00%
Why We Like It
The online-focused credit union has strong rates and a lower opening minimum than some competitors.
$0
Member FDIC
4.90%
Why We Like It
Barclays offers solid online CD rates for one-year terms and longer, with no opening minimum requirement.
$1,000
Member FDIC
5.00%
Why We Like It
Online-only Ivy Bank has few CD terms but a competitive one-year CD and a somewhat low opening minimum of $1,000.
$2,500
Member FDIC
5.00%
Why We Like It
Live Oak Bank offers online CDs with strong rates, though there's a somewhat hefty minimum requirement of $2,500.
$500
4.75%
Why We Like It
The insurance company Nationwide offers its customers access to online-only Axos Bank’s CDs, including its competitive one-year CD. Like the other CDs on this list, these are federally insured.
$500
Member FDIC
4.75%
Why We Like It
Quontic Bank is a digital bank with roots as a New York-based community development financial institution. Its one-year CD has a strong rate and a low minimum.
$2,500
Member FDIC
4.75%
Why We Like It
LendingClub Bank is an online financial institution with a competitive rate and a somewhat high opening minimum of $2,500 on its one-year CD.
$5,000
Member FDIC
5.00%
Why We Like It
Citizens, Citizens Bank's online division, offers relatively high-yield savings accounts and CDs. The minimum amount of $5,000 to open a CD is hefty, though.
$1,000
Member FDIC
4.75%
Why We Like It
The online-based TIAA Bank has wide range of CDs and a somewhat low opening minimum of $1,000.
$1,500
Member FDIC
5.20%
Why We Like It
Bread Savings offers CDs with a somewhat high minimum of $1,500.
$500
Deposits are FDIC Insured
5.25%
Why We Like It
BrioDirect is the online bank division of Webster Bank, a national bank based in Connecticut. BrioDirect offers a high rate on its one-year CD term with a low minimum deposit of $500.
$1,000
Member FDIC
5.27%
Why We Like It
CIBC U.S. is the online U.S. banking division of CIBC, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Its competitive one-year CD has two tiers: 5.27% APY for a deposit under $25,000 and 5.27% APY for a higher deposit. The minimum deposit of $1,000 is somewhat low.
$0
Member FDIC
4.75%
Why We Like It
Synchrony Bank offers a wide range of CD terms, including many around one year. Its rates can be competitive and there’s no opening minimum deposit.
$50
Federally insured by NCUA
5.00%
Why We Like It
Bethpage Federal Credit Union opens its doors to members nationwide as long as you open a savings account with at least $5. The credit union’s 1-year certificate has a high rate and very low minimum of $50.
$500
Member FDIC
4.75%
Why We Like It
The Wall Street firm's online bank offers a 12-month CD term with a low minimum requirement of $500.
Want to compare more options? Here are our other top picks:
» Want to see more options? Check out our list of the best CD rates overall
What is a 1-year CD?
A 1-year CD, or certificate of deposit, is a type of savings account that keeps money locked up for 12 months at a fixed rate. (You can find even shorter terms, such as six-month CDs.)
Best 1-year CD rates for May 2023
BrioDirect: 5.25% APY, $500 minimum to open.
BMO (not available in all states): 5.10% APY, $1,000 minimum to open.
Bread Savings: 5.20% APY, $1,500 minimum to open.
Ivy Bank: 5.00% APY, $1,000 minimum to open.
Alliant Credit Union: 5.00% APY, $1,000 minimum to open.
Live Oak Bank: 5.00% APY, $2,500 minimum to open.
Popular Direct: 5.10% APY, $10,000 minimum to open.
CIBC U.S.: 5.27% APY, $1,000 minimum to open.
Barclays: 4.90% APY, no minimum to open.
Sallie Mae Bank: 4.90% APY, $2,500 minimum to open.
Synchrony Bank: 4.75% APY, no minimum to open.
BethPage Federal Credit Union: 5.00% APY, $50 minimum to open.
Nationwide (by Axos Bank): 4.75% APY, $500 minimum to open.
Quontic Bank: 4.75% APY, $500 minimum to open.
TIAA Bank: 4.75% APY, $1,000 minimum to open.
LendingClub Bank: 4.75% APY, $2,500 minimum to open.
Citizens: 5.00% APY, $5,000 minimum to open.
» Thinking of a longer term for higher yields? Check out the best three-year CD rates
What's involved in opening a CD?
You'll need to decide on what term and type of CD to get and whether to open a single or joint account. To see all five steps, check out this guide to opening a CD account.
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. Plus, your returns are guaranteed as long as you don’t withdraw early, in which case you may have to pay a penalty. For more details, see our article on the safety of CDs.
No-penalty CDs offer more freedom
When you withdraw your money from a CD before the term expires, you generally pay a penalty of at least several months of interest earned.
Some providers, however, allow you to withdraw your money before the term expires, with no penalty. Keep in mind that rates may be a little lower for these no-penalty CDs.
The following three banks offer no-penalty CDs:
Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank (read NerdWallet's full review).
CIT Bank (read NerdWallet's full review).
Ally Bank (read NerdWallet's full review).
Synchrony Bank (read NerdWallet's full review).
How do CDs work?
Learn more about choosing CDs, understanding CD rates, and opening and closing CDs.
For choosing CDs:
For understanding CD rates:
For opening CDs:
For closing CDs:
See CD rates by term and type
Compare the best rates for various CD terms and types:
See CD rates by bank
Here’s a quick list of CD rates at traditional and online banks and a brokerage:
Last updated on May 22, 2023
Methodology
On a monthly basis, we compare rates at over 30 financial institutions, pulled from our full list, that we’ve seen to be consistently competitive. On a quarterly basis, we analyzed our full list, excluding banks that offered brokered CDs, since those accounts work differently from standard bank CDs. Higher rates might be available elsewhere.
We took a close look at over 90 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 and/or emerging players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more.
Financial institutions and providers surveyed are: Affirm, Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, All America Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amalgamated Bank, America First Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Associated Bank, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bank of the West, Bank5 Connect, Bank7, Barclays, Bask Bank, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, BMO, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Bread Savings, BrioDirect, Capital One, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIBC U.S., CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens, Citizens Bank, City First Bank, Climate First Bank, Commerce Bank, Community First Credit Union of Florida, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Current, Delta Community Credit Union, Discover Bank, E*TRADE, Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation, First National Bank, First Republic Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Flagstar Bank, FNBO Direct, GO2bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Greenwood, Hope Credit Union, Huntington Bank, Industrial Bank, Ivy Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, LendingClub Bank, Liberty Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Nationwide (by Axos), Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC, One, OneUnited Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Popular Direct, PurePoint Financial, Quontic Bank, Regions Bank, Revolut, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, Scarlet, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Credit Union, Service Credit Union, SoFi, State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina, Suncoast Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, TIAA Bank, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Union Bank, Upgrade, USAA Bank, Varo, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo and Zynlo Bank.
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best 1-Year CD Rates for May 2023
- BMO CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 5.10% APY
- Alliant Credit Union Certificate: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 5.00% APY
- Barclays Online CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 4.90% APY
- Sallie Mae Bank CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 4.90% APY
- Popular Direct CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 5.10% APY
- Ivy Bank CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 5.00% APY
- Live Oak Bank CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 5.00% APY
- Nationwide CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 4.75% APY
- Quontic Bank CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 4.75% APY
- LendingClub CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 4.75% APY
- Citizens Online CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 5.00% APY
- TIAA Bank Basic CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 4.75% APY
- Bread Savings™️ CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 5.20% APY
- BrioDirect High-Yield CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 5.25% APY
- CIBC Agility™ Online CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 5.27% APY
- Synchrony Bank CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 4.75% APY
- Bethpage Federal Credit Union Certificate: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 5.00% APY
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD: Best for 1-Year CD Rates, 4.75% APY
Frequently asked questions
You should only get a 1-year CD if you know you won’t need those funds for a year. Pulling money out of a CD before its expiration date will likely result in an early withdrawal fee, which is typically a percentage of the interest earned. See this month’s top rates.
It depends on your savings goals and how sure you are that you won't need your funds before the CD term expires. Having to pay an early withdrawal penalty, generally up to one year's worth of interest, can be a blow to your savings. Common CD terms range from six months to five years; if you want to play it safe, go for a shorter CD term or a no-penalty CD.
CD rates are quoted as an annual percentage yield, or APY, which is how much the account earns in one year including compound interest. Banks generally compound interest monthly or daily.
» See what CDs can earn you with our CD calculator
It depends on what's more important to you: rates or access to your money. Some of the current CD rates tend to be higher than the best savings account rates, but you sacrifice access to money in CDs. If that doesn't work for you, check out our list of best online savings accounts.
It depends on the level of risk you want to take. Investment, or brokerage, accounts can have higher returns than CDs, but CDs guarantee returns. They're typically federally insured for up to $250,000 and offer fixed interest rates. Brokerage accounts can be riskier, since you aren’t protected against losses. See this month’s top rates for 1-year CDs.
Yes. The Federal Reserve has raised its rate multiple times since March 2022, which encourages banks and credit unions to raise their CD rates. Learn more about Fed rate increases or, if you want a broader financial picture, see our explainer on historical CD rates.
