Best of
7 Best 6-Month CD Rates March 2020
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Summary of Best 6-Month CD Rates March 2020
| Bank | APY | Minimum Deposit | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
 TIAA Bank CD | 1.10% | $5,000 | Read review |
 Popular Direct CD | 0.85% | $10,000 | Read review |
 PurePoint® Financial CD | 0.75% | $10,000 | Read review |
 Sallie Mae Bank CD | 1.30% | $2,500 | Read review |
 First Tech Federal Credit Union CD | 0.75% | $500 | Read review |
 Vio Bank CD | 0.80% | $500 | Read review |
 PenFed Credit Union CD | 0.85% | $1,000 | Read review |
TIAA Bank CD
APY
With $5000 minimum balance
Minimum Balance
Member, FDIC
Popular Direct CD
APY
With $10000 minimum balance
Minimum Balance
Member, FDIC
PurePoint® Financial CD
APY
With $10000 minimum balance
Minimum Balance
Member, FDIC
Sallie Mae Bank CD
APY
With $2500 minimum balance
Minimum Balance
Member, FDIC
First Tech Federal Credit Union CD
APY
With $500 minimum balance
Minimum Balance
Member, NCUA
Vio Bank CD
APY
With $500 minimum balance
Minimum Balance
Member, FDIC
PenFed Credit Union CD
APY
With $1000 minimum balance
Minimum Balance
Member, NCUA
» Want to see more options? Check out our list of the best CD rates overall
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)
Best 6-month CD rates:
- Sallie Mae Bank: 1.30% APY, $2,500 minimum deposit.
- Vio Bank: 0.80% APY, $500 minimum deposit.
- Popular Direct: 0.85% APY, $10,000 minimum deposit.
- PurePoint Financial: 0.75% APY, $10,000 minimum deposit.
- First Tech Federal Credit Union: 0.75% APY, $500 minimum deposit.
- TIAA Bank: 1.10% APY, $5,000 minimum deposit.
- PenFed Credit Union: 0.85% APY, $1,000 minimum deposit.
Last updated on March 2, 2020
Methodology
We featured easy-to-join financial institutions that NerdWallet has vetted and reviewed with the highest rates for six-month CDs. Higher rates might be available elsewhere.
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best 6-Month CD Rates March 2020
- TIAA Bank CD: 1.10% APY, $5,000 Minimum Balance
- Popular Direct CD: 0.85% APY, $10,000 Minimum Balance
- PurePoint® Financial CD: 0.75% APY, $10,000 Minimum Balance
- Sallie Mae Bank CD: 1.30% APY, $2,500 Minimum Balance
- First Tech Federal Credit Union CD: 0.75% APY, $500 Minimum Balance
- Vio Bank CD: 0.80% APY, $500 Minimum Balance
- PenFed Credit Union CD: 0.85% APY, $1,000 Minimum Balance
Frequently asked questions
It depends on what's more important to you: rates or access to your money. 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.
You should only get a CD if you know you won’t need those funds during its term. 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.
» Thinking of a longer term for higher yields? Check out the best three-year CD rates
A CD, or certificate of deposit, is a type of savings account that keeps money locked up for a set period or term, generally three months to five years. The longer the CD term, the higher the rate tends to be. See this month's best six-month CD rates.
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 with our CD calculator
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 best six-month CD rates.
