Take Advantage of High APYs While You Still Can. Today’s CD Rates, Feb. 26, 2025

A certificate of deposit can be a smart way to earn guaranteed interest on money you can set aside for a while. And with CD rates holding steady for now, it’s a great time to open an account and lock in a high annual percentage yield before rates start dropping.

Today’s best CDs offer APYs up to 4.65% — more than three times the national average for some terms. But with the Federal Reserve likely to cut interest rates later this year, these APYs won’t stick around forever.

Read on to see some of the highest CD rates available now and how much you could earn by depositing different amounts.

Experts recommend comparing rates before opening a CD account to get the best APY possible. Enter your information below to get CNET’s partners’ best rate for your area.

Why now is a smart time to open a CD

A CD can be a great place to stash your cash at any time, but in periods of inflation like today’s, they can be especially lucrative. As the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to fight inflation, banks tend to follow suit, raising APYs on consumer products like CDs and savings accounts.

If you open a CD while rates remain elevated, you can continue to enjoy the same high returns even when rates begin to fall because your APY is locked in when you open a CD.

But don’t wait too long to take advantage of today’s APYs. While the Fed chose to pause rates at its January meeting, experts expect it to cut rates later this year, which means the clock is ticking.

“With [the Fed’s] shift to a more cautious stance, savers can continue to benefit from relatively strong CD rates, at least for part of this year,” said Chad Olivier, Certified Financial Planner and CEO of The Olivier Group.

💰You can earn up to 5% APY on the best high-yield savings accounts. Check out top savings rates now.

Weigh these factors when comparing CDs

A competitive APY is important, but it’s not the only thing you should consider. To find the right CD for you, weigh these things, too:

• When you’ll need your money: Early withdrawal penalties on CDs can eat into your interest earnings if you need your money before the term ends, so choose a timeline that makes sense. Alternatively, you can select a no-penalty CD, although the APY may not be as high as you’d get with a traditional CD of the same term.
• Minimum deposit requirement: Some CDs require a minimum deposit to open an account, typically $500 to $1,000. Knowing how much money you have to set aside can help you narrow your options.
• Fees: Maintenance and other fees can cut into your savings. Many online banks don’t charge fees because they have lower overhead costs than banks with physical branches. Read the fine print for any account you’re evaluating.
• Safety and security: Make sure the bank or credit union you’re considering is an FDIC or NCUA member so your money is protected if the bank fails.
• Customer ratings and reviews: Visit sites like Trustpilot to see what customers are saying about the bank. You want a bank that’s responsive, professional and easy to work with.

Methodology

CNET reviews CD rates based on the latest APY information from issuer websites. We evaluated CD rates from more than 50 banks, credit unions and financial companies. We evaluate CDs based on APYs, product offerings, accessibility and customer service.

The current banks included in CNET’s weekly CD averages include Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, American Express National Bank, Barclays, Bask Bank, Bread Savings, Capital One, CFG Bank, CIT, Fulbright, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, MYSB Direct, Quontic, Rising Bank, Synchrony, EverBank, Popular Bank, First Internet Bank of Indiana, America First Federal Credit Union, CommunityWide Federal Credit Union, Discover, Bethpage, BMO Alto, Limelight Bank, First National Bank of America and Connexus Credit Union.

*APYs as of Feb. 25, 2025, based on the banks we track at CNET. Earnings are based on APYs and assume interest is compounded annually.

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