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Editor's Note: Investopedia did not publish daily CD rate news on Monday, Feb. 17, in observance of Washington's Birthday. We are therefore reporting today's rates in comparison to those of Friday, Feb. 14.
What you need to know
- Mountain America Credit Union announced a CD that pays a 5.00% rate for 18 months, a nice surprise after the top rate in the country fell recently to just 4.73%.
- Ten other offers guarantee 4.60% – 4.73% for terms ranging from 3 to 13 month.
- Rates of 4.35% or better are available in every CD term, including top APYs of 4.40% to 4.45% in the 2–3 year term from Credit Human.
- For CD buyers who prefer a longer lock-in rate, Transportation Federal Credit Union offers a guarantee of 4.35% per year for four years or 4.40% per year for five years.
- In January the Fed kept interest rates unchanged, but a rate cut or two could come later in this year. It’s smart to secure your CD purchase if you plan on shopping the best-selling releases of today.
Below you'll find featured rates available from our partners, followed by details from our ranking of the best CDs available nationwide.
Get the 5% Leading Rate Until August 20,26
The top CD rates in the United States increased on Friday from 4.73% for a seven-month period to 5.00% over 18 months. Mountain America Credit Union has a new deal that will give you a return of 5% until the end of summer next year.
You can lock in a rate of at least 4.60% for as short as three months with 10 other offers. Genisys Credit Union’s certificate is the runner up. It still offers a 4.73% annual percentage yield for seven months. This will take you through September. Vibrant Credit Union also offers a 13 month CD at 4.60%. This rate is locked until the spring of 2026.
| Terms for CD | Friday's Top National Rate | Today's Top National Rate | Day's Change (percentage points) | Best Rate Provider |
| Three months | 4.60% | 4.60% | No change | Brilliant Bank |
| Six months | 4.73% | 4.73% | No change | Genisys Credit Union |
| The 1st year | 4.60% | 4.60% | No change | Vibrant Credit Union |
| 18 Months | 5.00% | 5.00% | No change | Mountain America Credit Union |
| Two years old | 4.45% | 4.45% | No change | Credit Human |
| 3 Years | 4.40% | 4.40% | No change | Credit Human |
| Four years | 4.35% | 4.35% | No change | Transportation Federal Credit Union |
| 5 Years | 4.40% | 4.40% | No change | Transportation Federal Credit Union |
All Institutions Insured by the Federal Government Are Protected Equally
You are protected if the FDIC or NCUA fails. Not only that, but the coverage is identical—deposits are insured up to $250,000, per person and per institution—no matter the size of the bank or credit union.
You can secure your rate by purchasing CDs that are longer-term.
The top certificates with APYs of 4.45% and 4.40% promise to lock in your returns until 2027. Credit Human offers the top 2-year and 3-year CD rates. If you want to lock in a rate for even longer, Transportation Federal Credit Union offers rates of 4.35% or 4.40% over 4 years. You’d earn at least 4% every year until 2030.
Given the potential for Fed rate reductions in 2025 or 2026, CDs with a mid-to-long-term maturity are a smart investment right now. This year, the central bank could make another reduction to its federal funds rate. Bank APYs may fall as a result of any Fed interest-rate cuts, but the CD rates you lock in now are yours until they mature.
Today's Best CDs Still Pay Historically High Returns
It's true that CD rates are no longer at their peak. The best CDs are still offering a great return, despite this pullback. In October 2023, CD rates were higher than 6%. Today’s leading CD rate is 5%. Compare this with early 2022 when the Federal Reserve started its campaign of rate increases. The best CDs offered a range of 0.70% to 0.5% APY depending on their term.
In every term, Jumbo CDs lose to standard CDs
Jumbo CDs require much larger deposits and sometimes pay premium rates—but not always. The rates on jumbo CDs right now, are actually lower than standard CD rates. This is true for every term that we have tracked. You’re best off shopping around for both CD types. And if you find a CD with the highest rate that is standard, open it up using a deposit of jumbo size.
| CD-Term | Bank of America’s top National Bank rate today | The top National Credit Union Rate Today | National Jumbo Rates Today |
| Three months | 4.60%* | 4.50% | 4.11% |
| 6 Months | 4.65% | 4.73%* | 4.55% |
| The 1st year | 4.50% | 4.60%* | 4.52% |
| 18 Months | 4.45% | 5.00%* | 4.50% |
| Two years old | 4.35% | 4.45%* | 4.25% |
| 3 Years | 4.30% | 4.40%* | 4.34% |
| Four years | 4.30% | 4.35%* | 4.30% |
| 5 Years | 4.30% | 4.40%* | 4.33% |
What will CD rates be in 2025?
The Federal Reserve cut the Federal Funds Rate by a whole percentage point in December. This was the third time the Federal Reserve has done this. On Jan. 29th, the central bankers declared a rate freeze. They will keep their benchmark rates at their current levels until their meeting in March.
The Fed’s three 2024 rate cuts represent a pivot from the central bank’s historic 2022–2023 rate-hike campaign, in which the committee aggressively raised interest rates to combat decades-high inflation. At its 2023 peak, the federal funds rate climbed to its highest level since 2001—and remained there for 14 months.
It is anticipated that the Fed will slow down its rate of interest rate reductions. This was due to higher inflation in January than originally expected. CME Group’s FedWatch Tool indicates that interest rate traders have priced in a greater than 95% chance of the Fed holding interest rates during its next meeting.
Fed rate changes are significant for savers as they reduce the rates that credit unions and banks are willing to offer consumers in exchange for their deposit. CD rates and saving account rates are affected by changes in the federal funds rate.
Time will tell what exactly will happen to the federal funds rate in 2025 and 2026—and economic policies suggested by the new Trump administration have the potential to alter the Fed's course. But with three Fed rate cuts already in the books, today's CD rates could be the best you'll see for some time. It’s a great time to lock-in the lowest rate for your personal financial goals.
The Best Savings and CDs in the World – Daily Rankings
These rankings are updated every day of the week to provide you with the most competitive deposit rates.
Get the Best Rates on 3-Month CDs
The Best Rates for 6-Month CDs
Get the Best Rates on 1-Year CDs
Get the Best Rates on 18-Month CDs
The Best Rates for 2-Year CDs
The Best Rates for 3-Year CDs
Get the Best CD Rates for Four Years
Get the Best Rates on 5-Year CDs
The Best Savings Accounts with High Interest Rates
Money Market Accounts
Note that the "top rates" quoted here are the highest nationally available rates Investopedia has identified in its daily rate research on hundreds of banks and credit unions. It is a much higher rate than the average national interest, which covers all CDs offered by banks with that name, including large banks who pay pittances in interest. The national average is always low. However, if you shop around, you will find rates that are 5, 10 or 15 times more.
The Best Rates for CDs
Investopedia monitors the rates of over 200 credit unions and banks that sell CDs in the United States and calculates the daily ranking of the best-paying certificates for each major term. To qualify for our lists, the institution must be federally insured (FDIC for banks, NCUA for credit unions), the CD’s minimum initial deposit must not exceed $25,000, and any specified maximum deposit cannot be under $5,000.
The banks must be located in 40 or more states. Some credit unions will require that you donate $40 to charity to join if you do not meet the other criteria for membership (e.g. you live outside a particular area, or you work at a specific job). We exclude those credit unions who have a donation requirement of more than $40. To learn how we determine the most competitive rates, please read our complete methodology.
Article Sources Investopedia asks writers to cite primary sources in their articles. This includes white papers, official government data, reporting original and interviews conducted with industry experts. Where appropriate, we also refer to original research by other respected publishers. Our website contains more information about our standards for producing accurate and unbiased content. Editorial policy
Federal Reserve Board. "Federal Reserve Issues FOMC Statement, Dec. 18, 2024."
Federal Reserve Board. "Federal Reserve Issues FOMC Statement, Jan. 29, 2025."
Federal Reserve Board. "Open Market Operations."
CME Group. "FedWatch."
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