Best CD Rates Today -- Don't Sleep on APYs up to 5.35%, May 29, 2024 (2024)

Savers looking to maximize their interest earnings have plenty of great certificate of deposit options. Top CDs currently boast annual percentage yields, or APYs, up to 5.35% -- more than three times the national average for terms. And the Federal Reserve’s decision to pause rates at its last meeting means these rates will likely stick around for a bit longer.

“By the Fed continuing to pause rates for a sixth consecutive time, I would expect CDs to hold off lowering their rates as well, at least in the short-term,” said Dana Menard, certified financial planner, founder and lead financial planner at Twin Cities Wealth Strategies.

That said, CD rates have been gradually falling since the end of 2023, and many experts anticipate Fed rate cuts later this year. So, if you’ve been thinking of opening a CD, now’s the time to do so.

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.

Today’s best CD rates

Here are some of the top CD rates available right now and how much you could earn by depositing $5,000 right now:

How long will CD rates remain elevated?

Earlier this year, experts predicted three rate cuts by the end of 2024. But with inflation remaining stubbornly high, the Fed opted to pause rates for the sixth time in a row at its last Federal Open Market Committee meeting. As a result, some experts now believe rate hikes are more likely than rate cuts in the coming months. Those who believe rate cuts are still possible this year say we may see only two instead of three.

“I expect the Fed to follow what they’ve been saying by cutting rates a few times before the end of the year,” Menard said. “It will likely depend on the status of inflation over the next few months as well as other economic factors that may slow down or expedite the Fed’s schedule for lowering rates.”

But while the future of CD interest rates is up for debate, one thing is certain: Locking in today’s high APYs can protect your earnings from rate cuts when they do happen.

What causes CD rates to change?

The Fed doesn’t directly set CD interest rates, but its decisions have ripple effects. The federal funds rate determines how much it costs banks to borrow and lend money to each other. So, when the Fed raises this rate, banks usually follow suit, raising APYs on consumer products like savings accounts and CDs to remain competitive and boost their cash flow.

In March 2022, the Fed began steadily raising the federal funds rate to fight record-high inflation, and CD rates skyrocketed. Here’s how average CD rates moved from 2010 to 2023, according to CNET sister site Bankrate:

As inflation began to show signs of cooling, the central bank paused rates at its last six meetings. With experts predicting rate cuts for mid- to late 2024, CD rates leveled off and began gradually dropping at the end of 2023. The past few weeks have seen a mix of rate cuts and rate hikes as banks re-evaluate their strategies for different CD terms. These fluctuations have been minor, but they reflect the uncertainty over where inflation will go next and what the Fed’s next decision will be.

Here’s where CD rates stand compared to last week:

Reasons to open a CD today

With rates still attractive, now’s the time to open a CD and lock in a high APY. But a fixed rate isn’t the only perk you’ll enjoy by opening a CD today.

CDs are insured up to $250,000 per person, per bank, as long as the bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Credit unions offer the same protection through the National Credit Union Administration. That means your money is safe up to the deposit limits if the bank fails.

Plus, unlike investments such as stocks, CDs are low-risk. You won’t lose your principal deposit or the interest you’ve earned unless you run into early withdrawal penalties -- which you can easily avoid by choosing the right term for your needs.

What to consider when choosing a CD account

A competitive APY is important, but there are other things you should consider when comparing CD accounts:

• When you’ll need your money: Early withdrawal penalties can reduce your interest earnings. So, be sure to choose a term that fits your savings timeline. “Different CDs have different maturity dates, so you’ll want to make sure the CD matures before you’ll need the money,” said Keith Spencer, CFP, founder and financial planner at Spencer Financial Planning. “For example, if you’re planning on purchasing a car a year from now and would like to put the money in a CD in the meantime, you’ll want to choose a CD with a maturity date of one year or less.” 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 amount to open an account -- typically, $500 to $1,000. Others do not. How much money you have to set aside can help you narrow down your options.
• Fees: Maintenance and other fees can eat into your earnings. Many online banks don’t charge fees because they have lower overhead costs than banks with physical branches. Still, read the fine print for any account you’re evaluating.
• Federal deposit insurance: Make sure any institution 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 any bank you’re considering. 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 are: 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, Connexus Credit Union.