Updated January 7, 2019
If you are looking for a better yield on your savings, a high rate CD (certificate of deposit) offered by an online bank could be a good option. Internet-only banks offer much better interest rates than traditional banks. For example, a 12-month CD at Bank of America would require a $10,000 minimum deposit and would pay only 0.07%. At an online bank, you could earn 2.65% with no minimum deposit. (If you would rather get a savings account or money market with no time restriction, look at the best savings accounts or best money market accounts).
The Best CD Rates in January 2019
This list is updated monthly, and competition continues to intensify. Here are the accounts with some of the best CD rates:
Term | Institution | APY | Minimum Deposit Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 year | Goldman Sachs Bank USA | 2.75% | $500 | |
2 years | ConnectOne Bank | 3.15% | $500 | |
3 years | Mountain America Credit Union | 3.35% | $500 | |
5 years | Northpointe Bank | 3.60% | $1,000 |
See a full list of the best CD rates below.
- 6 months – 6 years: Goldman Sachs Bank USA – 0.60% APY – 3.15% APY; $500 minimum deposit
- 6-month: 0.60% APY
- 9-month: 0.70% APY
- 12-month: 2.75% APY
- 18-month: 2.65% APY
- 2-year: 2.70% APY
- 3-year: 2.75% APY
- 5-year: 3.10% APY
- 6-year: 3.15% APY
- 3 months – 5 years: Synchrony Bank – 0.75% APY – 3.10% APY; $2,000 minimum deposit
- 3-months: 0.75% APY
- 6-months: 1.00% APY
- 9-months: 1.25% APY
- 12-months: 2.75% APY
- 15-months: 2.85% APY
- 18-months: 2.75% APY
- 24-months: 2.90% APY
- 36-months: 2.90% APY
- 48-months: 3.00% APY
- 60-months: 3.10% APY
- 3 months – 5 years: Ally Bank – 0.75% APY – 3.10% APY; $0 minimum deposit (higher APY with higher deposit)
- 3-months: 0.75% APY (less than $5k); 0.75% APY ($5k minimum deposit) and 0.75% APY ($25k minimum deposit)
- 6-months: 1.00% APY (less than $5k); 1.00% APY ($5k minimum deposit) and 1.00% APY ($25k minimum deposit)
- 9-months: 1.25% APY (less than $5k); 1.25% APY ($5k minimum deposit) and 1.25% APY ($25k minimum deposit)
- 12-months: 2.75% APY (less than $5k); 2.75% APY ($5k minimum deposit) and 2.75% APY ($25k minimum deposit)
- 18-months: 2.50% APY (less than $5k); 2.65% APY ($5k minimum deposit) and 2.70% APY ($25k minimum deposit)
- 3-year: 2.60% APY (less than $5k); 2.70% APY ($5k minimum deposit) and 2.75% APY ($25k minimum deposit)
- 5-year: 3.10% APY (less than $5k); 3.10% APY ($5k minimum deposit) and 3.10% APY ($25k minimum deposit)
- 6 months – 7 years: PenFed Credit Union – 2.40% APY – 3.50% APY, $1,000 minimum deposit
PenFed is a credit union that offers very competitive interest rates. You need to join the credit union in order to benefit from their products. If you have a military or government affiliation, it is free to join. Otherwise, you would need to join an organization like Voices for America’s Troops, which costs $17.00. Once you are a member, you can open PenFed products (including this certificate) online. Your deposit would be insured by the NCUA, which is the National Credit Union Administration. There is a $1,000 minimum deposit for the one-year certificate.
- 6-months: 2.40%
- 12-months: 2.80%
- 15-months: 2.90%
- 18-months: 2.95%
- 2-years: 2.95%
- 3-years: 3.05%
- 4-years: 3.15%
- 5-years: 3.50%
- 7-years: 3.50%
- 6 months – 5 years: Capital One – 0.60% APY – 3.10% APY; no minimum deposit
Capital One is famous for its credit card business. However, it has recently started getting aggressive with its CD rates. There is no minimum deposit for their 360 CDs, which make them comparable to Barclays’ CDs. Capital One CDs are FDIC insured, up to the federal maximum. And you get the comfort of depositing your money with a well-known bank.
- 6-months: 0.60% APY
- 9-months: 0.75% APY
- 12-months: 2.70% APY
- 18-months: 2.70% APY
- 24-months: 2.80% APY
- 30-months: 2.80% APY
- 36-months: 2.85% APY
- 48-months: 2.90% APY
- 60-months: 3.10% APY
- 1 year – 5 years: Barclays Bank – 2.65% – 3.10% APY, no minimum deposit
Barclays is one of the oldest banks in the world. Although they’re based in London, they do have a U.S. presence and offer competitive rates on their CDs and savings account. Currently, they’re offering some of the highest CD rates in the market, and they have an edge over the rest of the institutions on this list: they don’t require a minimum balance to earn the APY or open an account. Deposit as little or as much as you’d like into a term of your choice and you can start earning interest as long as the account is funded within 14 days of opening the CD. Additionally, your funds are insured through the FDIC.
- 1-year: 2.65% APY
- 2-year: 2.70% APY
- 3-year: 2.75% APY
- 4-year: 2.85% APY
- 5-year: 3.10% APY
- 6 months – 120 months: Vio Bank – 2.00% APY – 3.15% APY; $500 minimum deposit
Vio Bank, a division of MidFirst Bank, is an online bank you don’t want to ignore. It launched in August 2018 with highly competitive offerings and it has continued to offer top rates on both its CDs and online savings account. While Vio Bank hasn’t been around very long, they are supported by a financial institution that is established with over $16 billion in assets. We’re extremely impressed with its early start. Here’s a full list its current CD rates:
- 6-months: 2.00%
- 9-months: 2.40%
- 12-months: 2.65%
- 15-months: 2.65%
- 18-months: 2.75%
- 24-months: 2.95%
- 36-months: 3.05%
- 48-months: 3.10%
- 60-months: 3.15%
- 84-months: 3.15%
- 120-months: 3.15%
- 1-Year CD: First Internet Bank – 2.83% APY, $1,000 minimum deposit
First Internet Bank was truly the first FDIC-insured online bank. Since its establishment in 1998, this online bank has acquired over $3 billion in assets. Due to its ability to do business completely online, it was able to reduce overhead costs and focus on providing its customers with truly outstanding products. Like most online banks, the benefit of low overhead is higher deposit rates! While First Internet Bank is no longer the only internet bank, it has still maintained its competitive edge by offering high rates on its deposit products. Currently, it’s offering an APY of 2.83% with a minimum deposit of $1,000. Like any good online bank, First Internet Bank has a mobile app that allows you to conveniently manage your accounts on-the-go.
- 1-Year CD: INOVA Federal Credit Union – 3.00% APY, $200 minimum deposit
If you’re able to become a member of INOVA Federal Credit Union, you’ll want to consider this CD with an outstanding 3.00% APY. While this CD actually has a 14-month term instead of a 12-month term, the rate is one of the highest for this range. This credit union is only available to those who are employed or are a member of the credit union’s Select Employer Groups or Organizations, or immediate family members or household members of existing members of INOVA Federal Credit Union. In order to find out what the Select Employer Groups or Organizations are, you can either check online or you’ll need to call the credit union’s customer service line. This credit union was chartered in 1942 for the employees of Miles Laboratories. It has since opened its field of membership to include the employees of over 500 other companies and organizations. To date, INOVA Federal Credit Union has acquired over $381 million in assets. Deposits made with this credit union are NCUA insured.
- 2-Year CD: ConnectOne Bank – 3.15% APY, $500 minimum deposit
ConnectOne Bank was established in 2005 by a man who couldn’t find a bank that satisfied his financial needs. Since the business model of the bank centered around its clients, the bank grew quickly and has acquired over $5 billion in assets to date. One way that ConnectOne Bank focuses on its clients is by offering competitive deposit rates and even offering special rates that are above what’s being offered in the market. This is evident with its 23-month online CD. For a small deposit of $500, you could earn an APY of 3.15%. You can conveniently open this CD online and all your funds are FDIC-insured.
- 2-Year CD from a Credit Union: Fort Knox Federal Credit Union – 2.95% APY, $500 minimum deposit
In 1950, civilians decided to charter Fort Knox Federal Credit Union to help each other out financially. Ten years later, the credit union opened up its field of membership to include military personnel. Today, its field of membership is open to employees of Select Employer Groups, individuals living, working, worshiping, or attending school in eligible areas, active military, Reserve, Guard, or civil service employee, retirees of the military or civil service, and contractors attached to the post. The credit union requires each member to pay a $15 fee at the time you apply for membership. Once you become a member, you can open the credit union’s 22-month CD special, which currently has an APY of 2.95%, with a minimum deposit of $500. Deposits made to this credit union NCUA insured.
- 3-Year CD from a Credit Union: Mountain America Credit Union, 3.35% APY, $500 minimum deposit
Mountain America Credit Union was established in the 1930s to help its members achieve their financial goals. Today, they have grown to serve hundreds of thousands of members and have acquired over $7 billion in assets. This credit union is open to Utah residents in certain areas, family members of existing members of the credit union, and employees and volunteers of a Select Employer Group. If you are a member or become a member of the American Consumer Council, you’ll qualify for membership at Mountain America Credit Union. Once you become a member, you’ll be able to open a CD. You’ll need to deposit a minimum of $500 in order to earn their outstanding 3.35% APY. Accounts can be managed online or through their mobile app. Deposits made to Mountain America Credit Union are insured by the NCUA.
- 3-Year CD: Mainstreet Bank – 2.85% APY, $1,000 minimum deposit
Mainstreet Bank is located in Northwern Virginia and has a nationwide presence through their mobile and online banking platforms. Established in 2004, they currently have over $800 million in assets. With only a minimum of $500, you can open a 3 year CD with a 2.85% APY. All deposits made to MainStreet Bank are insured by the FDIC.
- 5-Year CD: Northpointe Bank – 3.60% APY, $1,000 minimum deposit
Northpointe Bank was founded on the principal of “real people working with real people.” In 1999, the founder of the bank didn’t want his customers’ experience to be inpersonal, so he built a bank with a set of values that focus on the customers first and foremost. As a result of this, this bank typically offers competitive rates on its banking products. If you have a minimum deposit of $1,000 to put into Northpointe Bank’s 5-year CD, you can benefit from its high rate of 3.60%. A huge downside to this account is that CDs cannot be opened online. You’ll have to call the bank to open the account if you’re not in an area that has a branch. Once you have your account opened, you can download Northpointe Bank’s mobile app to manage your account.
- 5-Year CD from a Credit Union: United States Senate Federal Credit Union – 3.41% APY, $1,000 minimum deposit
Despite what the name may suggest, you do not have to be a Senate employee to join the United States Senate Federal Credit Union. If you don’t meet the work or family qualifications, you can easily become a member by joining the American Consumer Council, Virginia Chapter (VACC) or by joining the U.S. Capitol Historical Society (USCHS). This credit union was established by nine employees of the United States Senate during the Great Depression. Since then, the credit union has grown to have over $717 million in assets.
Currently, the United States Senate Federal Credit Union is offering amazing rates on its 5-year CD. With a minimum deposit of $1,000, you can earn an APY of 3.41%. If you deposit more, the APY increases. The other tiers are as follows:
- $20,000-$59,999.99: 3.47% APY
- $60,000-$99,999.99: 3.53% APY
3 Questions To Ask Before You Open A CD
1. Should I just open an online savings account instead?
With a CD, the saver and the bank make stronger commitments. The saver promises to keep the funds in the account for a specified period of time. In exchange, the bank guarantees the interest rate during the term of the CD. The longer the term, the higher the interest rate – and the higher the penalty for closing the CD early. With a savings account, there are few promises. You can empty the account without paying a penalty and the bank can change the interest rate at any time.
If you have a high level of confidence that you do not need to touch the money for a specified period of time, a CD is a much better deal. However, if you think you might need to use the money in the next couple of months, a savings account is a much better idea.
You can earn a lot more interest with a CD. Imagine you have $10,000 and know that you do not need to touch the money for two years. In a high-yield savings account earning 2.35%, you would earn $475.52 over two years. If you put that money into a 2.65% CD, you would earn $537.02. Given the ease of switching to an online CD, the extra interest income is easy money.
2. What term should I select?
The early withdrawal penalties on CDs can be significant. On a 1-year CD, 90 days is a typical penalty. And on 2 and 3 year CDs, a 6-month penalty is common. The impact of the penalty on your return can be significant. If you opened a one-year CD with a 2.65% APY and closed it after six months, you would forfeit half of the interest and earned only 1.32%. You would have been better off with a savings account paying 2.25%.
The worst case scenario is with the longest CDs. 5-year CDs usually have a one-year penalty for taking out funds early. If you open a 5-year CD and close it quickly, you could actually end up losing money.
Given the early penalties, you need complete confidence that you will not need to withdrawal the money early. Ask yourself this question: “do I have 90% confidence that I will not need access to the cash during the CD term?” If you don’t have confidence, go for a shorter term or a savings account.
3. Should I consider my local bank or credit union?
The interest rates shown in this article are all from online banks that offer products nationally. Our product database includes traditional banks, community banks and credit unions. If traditional banks offered better rates, they would have been featured in this article. The internet-only banks have dramatically better interest rates. That should not be surprising. Because internet-only banks do not have branches, they are able to pass along their cost savings to you in the form of higher interest rates.
However, you can always visit your local bank or credit union and ask them to beat the rates listed in this article. The chance of getting a better deal is extremely low (remember that Bank of America is only paying 0.07%), but you can try.
How To Find The Best Account
If you don’t find an account that meets your needs in this article, you can use the MagnifyMoney CD tool to find the best rate for your individual needs. Input your zip code, deposit amount and term. The tool will then provide you with CD options, from the highest APY to the lowest.
You can learn more about us and how we make money here.
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American Express National Bank High Yield Savings Account
* Sponsors listed are Member FDIC or NCUA insured.
Our sponsored advertiser, American Express National Bank, offers a Personal Savings account, which earns a 2.10% variable APY. The account charges no monthly fees and requires no minimum deposit, making it an affordable account to open. You must fund your account within 60 days of applying for the account, and the FDIC insures your deposits up to $250,000. Overall, the account is a great option for anyone who wants the flexibility of earning a high interest rate on a sum of money you’ve stashed away, minus the withdrawal restrictions of a certificate deposit.
CIT is a very large bank that you probably never heard of. It has more than $50 billion of assets and makes loans (and leases) to middle market companies and small businesses. To fund those loans, CIT operates an internet-only bank that pays some of the highest interest rates in the country. They’re currently offering a very healthy APY of 2.45% on their Savings Builder account. You only need $100 to open the account, but you’ll need to meet one of two requirements to earn the high rate. We really like the options that CIT Bank has put in place to earn this high APY. The two ways to continue earning this high rate are:
PurePoint Financial is a division of the MUFG Union Bank, N.A., otherwise known as Union Bank. Together, PurePoint Financial and Union Bank have over $120 billion dollars in assets and are powered by one of the largest financial groups in the world, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG). PurePoint Financial’s online savings account currently has an APY of 2.35% with an opening deposit amount of $10,000. You’ll also have to maintain that balance to earn the APY. If the balance falls below $10,000, the APY will drop to 0.25%. The only fee associated with this account is as a result of making more than six transactions per month. If this happens, a $10 Excess Activity Fee will be applied to your account. PurePoint Financial allows you to safely manage your account online via your computer or mobile phone, but they don’t have a mobile app just yet.
HSBC Direct is the online division of financial giant, HSBC Bank. Based on the amount of assets HSBC Bank has acquired to date, it is the 14th largest bank in the U.S. While HSBC Direct may sound like a new player to the online banking game, this division was actually around prior to the 2008 financial crisis and offered extremely competitive rates. After the financial crisis, the bank renamed the online division to HSBC Advance and slowly started to decrease its online savings account rates, much like other online banks were doing around that time.
CIBC Bank USA is the U.S. division of a Canadian based bank. This division was established in 1991 and has since acquired over $27 billion in assets. Currently, CIBC Bank USA is offering an online-only savings account with a competitive APY of 
Popular Direct, the online bank of Banco Popular North America, is currently offering an outstanding APY of 2.36% on their Popular Direct Plus Savings Account. You’ll need $5,000 to open this account and you’ll have to maintain a daily end of day balance of $500 to avoid the $4 monthly service fee. This account does not come with an ATM card. In order to access your money, you would need to transfer funds to and from an existing checking account via an ACH transfer, which can take a few days. Your deposits are FDIC insured. Popular Direct has a mobile banking app and provides account holders with access to online banking.
USALLIANCE Financial was founded by a group of IBM employees in 1966. Initially, the credit union only served employees of IBM, but today the credit union serves anyone who is a member of or willing to join certain associations or charitable organizations such as the American Consumer Council. Other ways to join include living, working, or worshiping in a qualifying location, being related to an existing member, being an employee of certain participating companies, or being affiliated with Columbia University or Manhattanville College. Once you become a member of the credit union, you’ll have the opportunity to open USALLIANCE Financial’s High Dividend Savings account with a small deposit amount of $500. This account is currently earning 2.30% APY. This account doesn’t have any monthly maintenance fees, but the credit union will charge $5 per withdrawal made using this account. This will only apply if you request an ATM card and withdraw money from an ATM. In addition to online banking, USALLIANCE Financial offers a mobile banking app so you can conveniently manage your account on-the-go.
Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) currently offers a nice account for people who are just starting to save. You can earn an APY of 6.17% with their Primary Savings Account. You will only earn that rate on deposits up to $1,000. Once you have more than $1k, you should consider other accounts on this list. It is a credit union – and your deposits are insured by the NCUA up to the legal limit. Anyone can join the credit union by donating to one of their participating organizations such as Reach Out for Schools, which has a membership fee of $10. You’ll be able to join one their participating organizations when you go to open your account with DCU. DCU is also part of a nationwide CO-OP network that allows their members to have access to shared branches and surcharge-free ATMs throughout the U.S.
UFB Direct is a division of Axos Bank, a federally chartered, publicly traded and FDIC-insured bank based in San Diego. In recent months, UFB Direct has become increasingly aggressive with high rates targeting big balances. The APY of 2.30% is an outstanding rate, but you need to have a balance of at least $25,000. If your balance drops below that, you’ll earn an APY of 0.50%. You’ll also need to keep an average daily balance of at least $5,000 in the account in order to avoid a monthly maintenance fee of $10.00. You will get a Visa debit card and have access to limited check writing. We think this is the best option for people with big balances that they want to keep in a money market account.
Virtual Bank, a division of IBERIABANK, is currently offering an introductory rate on their money market account that is the highest available. This rate is guaranteed for 12 months and will adjust to the standard rate that is in effect at the time. New customers can earn the 2.36% APY by depositing a minimum of $100. While there isn’t a minimum balance requirement to earn the APY, there is a balance requirement to avoid incurring the $5 monthly service fee. All you’ll have to do is maintain a daily minimum balance of $100 and they’ll waive the monthly fee. While this account doesn’t have any check writing capabilities, you can easily move money in and out of the account via ACH. Virtual Bank has a mobile app, that has the mobile check deposit feature, in addition to their online banking platform.
Bay State Savings Bank opened its doors in 1895 with a commitment to “be the community bank of choice” for its community. As time has gone on, this community bank has evolved to include digital banking and welcomes all U.S. residents to apply for an account. The bank has also grown to acquire over $400 million in assets. Currently, it’s offering a high rate on a money market account that does more than just hold your money. The money that you deposit helps Bay State Savings Bank support the economic growth of areas in need within Worcester County. So, not only will you be earning an outstanding APY 2.35%, but you’ll also be helping to an area in need of support. There are a few items to be aware of prior to opening the account: there is a $7 monthly fee if you can’t maintain a $5,000 balance and outgoing ACH transfers are limited to $10,000 per transaction. This account does come with check-writing capabilities and online bill payment services. Bay State Savings Bank is not only insured by the FDIC, but they are also insured by the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF).
If you have student loan debt, you probably are not very excited to see Sallie Mae at the top of this list. However, many people are unaware that Sallie Mae also operates an internet-only FDIC-insured bank with some of the best interest rates in the country. You can earn 2.20% APY, compounded daily and paid monthly. There is no minimum balance and no monthly maintenance fees. You will have check-writing capabilities (although the standard money market limit of six per month applies to this account). The easiest (and best) way to fund and access your funds is via electronic transfer from your existing checking account. If you want a simple account with no fees and check access – this is a good bet. Sallie Mae has just recently increased the APY, making this one the best rates in the country.
Self-Help is a credit union that anyone can join. If you don’t live, work or worship in one of their eligible counties, you can join by donating $5 to the Center for Community Self-Help. The contribution is tax deductible and will make you eligible for credit union membership. (You can learn more about how to join the credit union here.) At a credit union, your funds are insured up to $250,000 – but it is by the NCUA instead of the FDIC. The money market offers an APY of 1.91% on balances from that are at least $500. You also need to maintain the balance during the month – otherwise you will be charged a monthly maintenance fee. You are allowed 6 free withdrawals or transfers from the account each month (including checks).