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The best nationwide CD rates might have been expected to dip this week, given that the Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it was lowering its benchmark interest rate by another quarter percentage point. But banks and credit unions seemed to have already baked in the anticipated move, as none of the leading CD term rates have declined since the announcement.
In fact, in three terms you can even do better now than earlier in the week. On Friday, Credit Human raised its annual percentage yield (APY) on two pick-your-term CDs. For an 18–23 month term, Credit Human is now paying 4.40% instead of 4.30%. And if you'd like a term between 24 and 35 months, you can lock in 4.35% instead of 4.25%.
An improvement was also seen in the 4-year term, when Popular Direct raised its rate Monday from 4.15% to 4.20%. This CD would let you secure your rate until Christmas 2028.
The leading national rates held firm across the other four major CD terms. That includes the overall national leader, Nuvision Credit Union. Its 5.50% rate is available for an 8-month term, allowing you to lock in that top rate until mid-August.
| Top 3 Nationwide CD Rates for Each Term Dec. 20, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Top 6-Month CDs | APY | Term | Minimum |
| Nuvision Credit Union | 5.50% | 8 months | $1,000 |
| Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union | 4.85% | 9 months | $500 |
| Bellco Credit Union | 4.75% | 6 months | $500 |
| Top 1-Year CDs | APY | Term | Minimum |
| Signature Federal Credit Union | 4.65% | 13 months | $500 |
| GTE Financial | 4.59% | 12 months | $500 |
| Alabama Credit Union | 4.57% | 12 months | $2,500 |
| Top 18-Month CDs | APY | Term | Minimum |
| Credit Human | 4.50% | 12–17 months | $500 |
| XCEL Federal Credit Union | 4.50% | 18 months | $500 |
| All In Credit Union | 4.44% | 18 months | $1,000 |
| Top 2-Year CDs | APY | Term | Minimum |
| Credit Human | 4.40% | 18-23 months | $500 |
| Genisys Credit Union | 4.27% | 25 months | $500 |
| Digital Federal Credit Union | 4.25% | 12–23 months | $25,000 |
| Top 3-Year CDs | APY | Term | Minimum |
| Credit Human | 4.35% | 24-35 months | $500 |
| Popular Direct | 4.25% | 36 months | $10,000 |
| Customers Bank | 4.10% | 36 months | $500 |
| Top 4-Year CDs | APY | Term | Minimum |
| Popular Direct | 4.20% | 48 months | $10,000 |
| Credit Human | 4.11% | 36-59 months | $500 |
| Signature Federal Credit Union | 4.10% | 48 months | $500 |
| Top 5-Year CDs | APY | Term | Minimum |
| Popular Direct | 4.25% | 60 months | $10,000 |
| Signature Federal Credit Union | 4.20% | 60 months | $500 |
| Credit Human | 4.11% | 36-59 months | $500 |
Every business day, we track the certificate of deposit rates from more than 200 banks and credit unions that offer nationwide certificates. With the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates by a full percentage point over the last three months, CD rates have been on a slight downswing. But it's not too late to lock in a guaranteed return that's still exceptional and will pay dividends for months or years into the future.
With online banking, you can apply for any of these CDs on the weekend, which might be easier than trying to fit it in during the week. Though your application likely won't be processed over the weekend, the bank or credit union will have it by Monday morning.
It's always true that any given CD offer can be pulled at any time. And with further Fed rate cuts expected, top CD offers next year will likely pay less than what you can lock in today.
Right now, members of the Fed's rate-setting committee predict they will lower their benchmark rate another half point next year. That news was released this week, in conjunction with their announcement that they were lowering rates by a quarter point Wednesday. The central bank also projects another half-point reduction in 2026, though forecasts that far into the future are more tenuous.
Notably, the Fed previously forecasted a full-point reduction in 2025 rather than the current half-point prediction. That means CD rates might not fall as much next year as previously thought.
Still, a slow downward slide does seem likely for CD rates in 2025 and 2026. That makes it smart to consider the longest CD term you can manage since any CD rate you lock in now is yours to enjoy until it matures. Opening a 2-year CD can guarantee you'll earn a high rate as far into the future as late 2026, while 3-, 4-, and 5-year CDs will secure your stellar return even longer.
We update these rankings every business day to give you the best deposit rates available:
Best 3-Month CD Rates
Best 6-Month CD Rates
Best 1-Year CD Rates
Best 18-Month CD Rates
Best 2-Year CD Rates
Best 3-Year CD Rates
Best 4-year CD Rates
Best 5-Year CD Rates
Best High-Yield Savings Accounts
Best 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. This is much different than the national average, which includes all banks offering a CD with that term, including many large banks that pay a pittance in interest. Thus, the national averages are always quite low, while the top rates you can unearth by shopping around are often 5, 10, or even 15 times higher.
Every business day, Investopedia tracks the rate data of more than 200 banks and credit unions that offer CDs and savings accounts to customers nationwide and determines daily rankings of the top-paying accounts. To qualify for our lists, the institution must be federally insured (FDIC for banks, NCUA for credit unions), and the account's minimum initial deposit must not exceed $25,000. It also cannot specify a maximum deposit amount that's below $5,000.
Banks must be available in at least 40 states to qualify as nationally available. And while some credit unions require you to donate to a specific charity or association to become a member if you don't meet other eligibility criteria (e.g., you don't live in a certain area or work in a certain kind of job), we exclude credit unions whose donation requirement is $40 or more. For more about how we choose the best rates, read our full methodology.
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