Best CD Rates
of 2026
Eight ranked Certificates of Deposit for 2026, sorted by category strength. Lock in fixed rates up to 4.10% APY — verified against each bank’s published Truth in Savings disclosure — before the next Fed cut closes the window.
⚠️ Important Disclosures — Please Read Before Applying
Affiliate Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. Norton Media Enterprise may earn a commission if you apply through these links, at no additional cost to you. Our rankings are based on independent analysis of APY, FDIC strength, and editorial review — never commission rates.
Non-Bank Status: Norton Media Enterprise is an independent research and review site. We are not a bank, credit union, lender, or financial institution. We do not hold deposits, make banking decisions, or guarantee account approval for any products listed.
Approval Responsibility: All account decisions are made solely by the issuing financial institution based on their identity-verification, deposit funding, and other underwriting criteria specific to each bank or credit union.
FDIC & NCUA Insurance: Banks listed are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category. Credit unions listed are NCUA-insured up to $250,000 under equivalent rules. Both protect your deposits in the event of institutional failure. Always verify insurance status directly with the institution before depositing funds.
APY & Variable Rate Warning: Annual Percentage Yields (APYs), minimums, qualifying activities, and other terms cited on this page were accurate as of the publication date but are subject to change. CD rates are typically fixed once funded, but the APY offered to new buyers changes regularly based on Federal Reserve federal-funds-rate decisions and individual bank policy. Always verify the current APY directly with the issuing bank before opening a CD.
Early Withdrawal Penalties: Most CDs charge an early withdrawal penalty (typically 3–18 months of interest depending on term length) if funds are withdrawn before maturity. No-penalty CDs are an exception. Always read each bank’s CD agreement before opening.
Information Only Disclaimer: Content on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered professional financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. We are not licensed financial advisors. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
Methodology: Read our full methodology for how we research and rank financial products.
Your checking account earns 0.08% APY per the FDIC’s National Rates and Rate Caps publication. The best CDs of 2026 pay nearly 4.10% APY — roughly 50x what your bank pays on idle cash. With the Fed cutting rates three times in late 2025 and another cut likely in 2026, locking in today’s rates protects yields that may not be available six months from now.
This guide ranks 8 of the best CDs for 2026 by category — not by which term has the highest absolute APY (which is misleading), but by which CD wins for your situation. Marcus by Goldman Sachs for the standard 12-month default. Bread Savings for short terms. E*TRADE / Morgan Stanley Private Bank for the highest 1-year rate verified at 4.10%. Capital One 360 for long-term rate-locking. Marcus No-Penalty CD for liquidity safety. First National Bank of America for $1,000+ jumbo-style deposits. Schwab CD OneSource for brokered CDs. Alliant Credit Union for nationally available credit-union rates.
How We Ranked These Best CD Rates
For each CD, we verified the published APY, minimum opening deposit, qualifying activities, and early withdrawal penalty directly against each issuer’s product page and Truth in Savings disclosure. Market position was confirmed using FDIC BankFind, NCUA Credit Union Locator, and SEC EDGAR 10-K filings for publicly traded parent companies (Goldman Sachs Group, Morgan Stanley, Capital One Financial, Charles Schwab Corporation).
Rankings reflect category leadership first. A “Best Overall” CD is the strongest pick most households need; a “Best Jumbo CD” is the strongest pick for $1,000+ deposits. We don’t rank a 5-year CD against a 6-month CD on absolute APY — different terms serve different goals. We also include the national interest checking APY of 0.08% per the FDIC’s monthly National Rates and Rate Caps publication as the baseline against which CD APYs are compared.
Each CD is scored on validated APY, real-world accessibility, FDIC/NCUA strength, term flexibility, and early withdrawal terms. We do not accept payment from any bank or credit union in exchange for ranking. All CDs listed are federally insured. APYs and minimums are variable and may change at any time. Read our full methodology.
Best Overall CD — 2026
Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD — Brand Strength + Competitive Rates
Marcus by Goldman Sachs is the consumer banking arm of Goldman Sachs Bank USA — FDIC-insured and backed by one of the largest global investment banks per Goldman Sachs Group’s SEC 10-K filings. The 12-month High-Yield CD pays 3.90% APY (verified May 8, 2026 against Marcus’s published rate sheet), 9-month at 4.00% APY, with a low $500 minimum and Marcus’s 10-Day CD Rate Guarantee (deposit within 10 days of opening and get the highest published rate for your term). The default CD pick for most U.S. households — strong rates, brand trust, simple online experience, and no monthly fees.
Compare the Top CDs for 2026
Eight category-leading CDs ranked by best fit. Each row shows the headline rate, term, minimum, and category strength.
| Bank / CD | Top APY | Term | Minimum | Why Pick This |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.90% APY | 12 mo | $500 | ⭐ Best Overall — Goldman Sachs brand strength |
| 🥈 Bread Savings | 4.00% APY | 6 mo | $1,500 | ⭐ Best Short-Term — top 6-month rate |
| 🥉 E*TRADE / Morgan Stanley | ⭐ 4.10% APY | 12 mo | $0 | Best 1-Year — highest verified rate |
| 📈 Capital One 360 | 3.20%–4.10% APY | 6 mo – 5 yr | $0 | Best Long-Term — no minimum, big-bank trust |
| 🔓 Marcus No-Penalty CD | 3.90%–3.95% APY | 7/11/13 mo | $500 | ⭐ Best No-Penalty — withdraw anytime |
| 💰 First National Bank of America | Up to 4.20% APY | 3 mo – 10 yr | $1,000 | Best Jumbo CD — widest term range |
| 📊 Schwab CD OneSource | Variable (top-tier) | 1 mo – 30 yr | $1,000 | Best Brokered Platform — multi-bank inventory |
| 🏛️ Alliant Credit Union | Competitive across all terms | 3 mo – 5 yr | $1,000 | Best Credit Union — broad eligibility |
⭐ = Category-leading rate or feature. National average interest checking APY is 0.08% per FDIC’s National Rates and Rate Caps publication. APYs verified May 8–11, 2026 against each issuer’s published rate sheet; subject to change.
The Top 8 Best CDs — Full Reviews
In-depth reviews of every top-pick CD. Each is the category leader for a specific household profile — pick the one that matches your situation.
✓ Pros
- Goldman Sachs Bank USA — top-tier brand strength
- FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per ownership category
- Low $500 minimum to open
- 10-Day CD Rate Guarantee
- 13 term options from 6 months to 6 years
✗ Cons
- 12-month rate (3.90%) trails E*TRADE’s 4.10% by 0.20%
- No physical branches
- Cannot add funds after CD is opened
- Early withdrawal penalty applies to standard CDs
✓ Pros
- 4.00% APY on 6-month CD — top short-term rate
- FDIC-insured via Comenity Capital Bank
- Strong rates across 3-month to 5-year terms
- Daily compounding, monthly crediting
✗ Cons
- $1,500 minimum opening deposit is higher than peers
- No no-penalty or bump-up CD variants
- $25 outgoing wire transfer fee
- Online-only — no branches
✓ Pros
- 4.10% APY on 12-month CD — highest verified 1-year rate
- $0 minimum deposit
- FDIC-insured Morgan Stanley Private Bank
- 10-day rate-lock guarantee
- Integration with E*TRADE brokerage
✗ Cons
- Early withdrawal penalty up to 15 months of interest
- Long-term rates (3–5 yr) trail competitors
- No no-penalty CD variants
- No physical branches
✓ Pros
- Top-10 U.S. bank by assets per SEC filings
- $0 minimum deposit
- Competitive rates across 6-month to 5-year terms
- Lower-than-average early withdrawal penalties
- Now combined with Discover’s payment network
✗ Cons
- 12-month rate (3.90%) trails E*TRADE
- Cannot add funds after CD opens
- No no-penalty CD variant
- No partial withdrawals during term
✓ Pros
- Full withdrawal allowed 7 days after funding — no penalty
- 3.90%–3.95% APY across 7/11/13-month terms
- Goldman Sachs Bank USA brand strength
- $500 minimum opening deposit
- Pairs well with standard CDs in a laddering strategy
✗ Cons
- Slightly lower APY than standard CDs of similar term
- Must withdraw full balance (no partial withdrawals)
- Only available in 7/11/13-month terms
- Cannot add to CD after funding
✓ Pros
- Up to 4.20% APY on select terms per the bank’s published rate sheet
- Nationally chartered FDIC-insured bank since 1955
- Terms from 3 months to 10 years — widest range
- $1,000 minimum opening deposit
- IRA CD variant available for retirement accounts
✗ Cons
- Top APYs may be regional or promotional
- $1,000 minimum is higher than some online competitors
- For deposits over $1M, must call for rates
- Online interface less polished than top fintechs
✓ Pros
- Access to CDs from hundreds of FDIC-insured banks
- Secondary-market liquidity (no early withdrawal penalty)
- Wide term inventory: 1 month to 30+ years
- Commission-free new issues at Schwab
- Charles Schwab Corporation publicly traded
✗ Cons
- Requires linked Schwab brokerage account
- Interest doesn’t compound — paid to brokerage account
- Secondary-market sale price depends on rate environment
- $1 per $1,000 fee on secondary-market trades
✓ Pros
- NCUA-insured up to $250,000 per ownership category
- Nationwide eligibility via $5 nonprofit donation
- $1,000 minimum opening deposit
- Competitive rates across 3-month to 5-year terms
- Online-only — no geographic restrictions
✗ Cons
- Membership signup adds a step versus direct-bank CDs
- No no-penalty or bump-up CD variants
- Top APY may be slightly below top online bank CDs
- No physical branches
The CD Ladder Strategy That Beats Single-Term Picking
Rather than putting all your CD cash into one term, the smart move is a CD ladder: split deposits across 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 4-year, and 5-year CDs. One CD matures every year, giving you regular access to a portion of your cash plus the option to roll into new CDs at whatever rate is then available. The ladder hedges against being wrong about rates — you participate in both the current and future rate environment. Marcus, Bread Savings, and Capital One 360 all offer the full term curve to build a ladder.
Worth a Second Look for Specific Buyers
Strong CDs that didn’t make Tier 1 but fit specific buyer profiles — particularly buyers chasing the absolute highest APY or specialized features.
Other CDs Worth Knowing About
For full market coverage — including big-bank CDs that buyers often search for but consistently pay below-market rates. We include these honestly so you know your options. Every brand below links directly to that institution’s CD product page.
- Chase CD — JPMorgan Chase’s CD rates are typically well below market (often 0.01%–4.00% depending on relationship pricing) per Chase’s published rates. Strong choice only if you have an existing Chase Premier Plus or Private Client relationship that unlocks bonus rates.
- Bank of America CD — BofA’s Featured CD rates are competitive at select terms (often 3.50%–4.00%) but standard fixed-term CDs typically trail online competitors meaningfully.
- Wells Fargo CD — Wells Fargo’s Special CD rates can reach 3.50%–4.00% on promotional terms, but standard rates are well below market. Branch access is the main reason to choose.
- Vanguard Brokered CDs — Vanguard’s brokered CD inventory is similar to Schwab’s, with $1,000 minimum and access to CDs from multiple issuing banks. Best for buyers already using Vanguard for investing.
- Fidelity CDs — Fidelity offers both brokered CDs and new-issue CDs at competitive rates, including fractional CDs with a $100 minimum. Strong choice for Fidelity brokerage customers.
- TAB Bank CD — Online-only bank with competitive 1-year rate (3.90%) per the bank’s published rate sheet. $1,000 minimum.
- Newtek Bank CD — Online bank with 4.00% APY on 1-year CD per recent verification. $2,500 minimum, FDIC-insured.
- Bask Bank CD — Online subsidiary of Texas Capital Bank with 4.00% APY at top tier per the bank’s published rate sheet. $1,000 minimum, FDIC-insured.
- CIBC Bank USA CD — CIBC Agility CDs offer 4.00%+ APY at competitive terms with a $1,000 minimum. FDIC-insured. Backed by 155-year-old Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
- Popular Direct CD — Online deposit arm of Popular Inc. with 3.30%–4.10% APY across 3-month to 5-year terms per the bank’s published rate sheet. $10,000 minimum geared toward serious savers.
- LendingClub Bank CD — 3.40%–4.15% APY across competitive terms per the bank’s published rate sheet. $500 minimum, FDIC-insured.
- Service Credit Union — NCUA-insured credit union offering competitive share certificate rates. Membership via $5 deposit to a Primary Savings Account; nationwide eligibility through American Consumer Council. $500 minimum.
- Connexus Credit Union — NCUA-insured with competitive long-term certificate rates, including a Bump-Up Certificate option that lets you raise your rate once per term. Broad-eligibility membership. $5,000 minimum.
- Navy Federal Credit Union — Restricted to military / veterans / DoD employees / families. NCUA-insured. Competitive rates with a slight bonus for $100K+ deposits.
- Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) — NCUA-insured with broad-eligibility membership. Competitive Money Market Certificate rates across 6-month to 7-year terms. $1,000 minimum.
Pro Tips for Maximizing CDs in 2026
Smart moves that experienced rate-shoppers use every time they open a CD.
Build a CD Ladder, Not a Single Position
Split your CD cash across 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 4-year, and 5-year CDs. One CD matures each year, giving you regular access plus the option to roll into new CDs at then-current rates. Hedges against being wrong about where rates head.
Use the 10-Day Rate Guarantee
Marcus, E*TRADE, and Capital One all offer 10-day rate-lock guarantees: fund your CD within 10 days of opening and you get the higher of the application-date rate or settlement-date rate. Free upside if rates rise during your funding window.
Mix In a No-Penalty CD
Allocate 10–20% of your CD cash to a no-penalty CD (Marcus, Climate First, Ally). You get CD-level rates but can withdraw without losing interest if rates rise sharply or if you need the cash unexpectedly. Real liquidity insurance.
Don’t Auto-Renew Without Checking
Most CDs auto-renew at maturity into the same term at then-current rates — which may be lower than what you originally locked. Use the 10-day grace period after maturity to evaluate your options. Withdraw or change terms during this window without penalty.
Stay Under FDIC / NCUA Limits
Standard insurance is $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category. For households exceeding the limit, split deposits across multiple banks or use SoFi’s Insured Deposit Program ($3M) or Axos’s ($2.5M). Brokered CDs via Schwab give automatic multi-bank diversification.
Tax-Advantage Long-Term CDs in IRAs
CD interest is taxed as ordinary income each year. For long-term CDs (3+ years), opening as an IRA CD (offered by Marcus, FNBA, Alliant) defers taxes until withdrawal. Especially valuable for buyers in higher tax brackets locking in 4%+ rates.
The Awards
Everything you need to know before opening a CD in 2026.
What is the best CD rate available in 2026?
Are CD rates going to keep falling in 2026?
How is a CD different from a high-yield savings account?
Are CDs safe?
What’s the difference between a brokered CD and a direct-from-bank CD?
What is a CD ladder and should I build one?
What happens when my CD matures?
How does NME choose its CD rankings?
📚 Sources Cited
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation — FDIC BankFind Suite, institution certificate and financial verification.
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation — National Rates and Rate Caps, national average interest checking APY (0.08%) used as comparison baseline.
- Federal Reserve Board — FOMC Federal Funds Rate Decisions, three rate cuts in late 2025.
- National Credit Union Administration — NCUA Credit Union Locator.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — SEC EDGAR, 10-K filings for Goldman Sachs Group, Morgan Stanley, Capital One Financial, Charles Schwab Corporation, Bread Financial, Ally Financial.
- Office of the Comptroller of the Currency — OCC National Bank Locator.
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs — High-Yield CD Rates and No-Penalty CD, verified May 8 and May 11, 2026.
- Bread Savings (Comenity Capital Bank) — Bread Savings CD Documentation.
- E*TRADE / Morgan Stanley Private Bank — E*TRADE Bank CD Rates and Morgan Stanley Private Bank Rate Sheet, verified April 28 and May 5, 2026.
- Capital One, N.A. — Capital One 360 CD Documentation and 360 CD Account Disclosures, effective May 8, 2026.
- First National Bank of America — FNBA Certificates of Deposit and FNBA Online Deposit Rates, verified May 5–6, 2026.
- Charles Schwab Bank, SSB / Charles Schwab Corporation — Schwab CD OneSource, brokered CD platform documentation.
- Alliant Credit Union — Alliant Certificate Documentation, NCUA-insured.
Ready to Lock In Today’s CD Rates Before They Drop?
Marcus for the brand-trusted default. E*TRADE for the highest 1-year rate at 4.10%. Bread Savings for short-term. Capital One for long-term. Marcus No-Penalty for liquidity. FNBA for term flexibility. Schwab for brokered. Alliant for credit union. Pick yours below.
