What is a good CD rate in 2026?

A good CD rate is one near the top of what banks are paying for that term. Rates differ a lot by bank, so compare the dated rates read from each bank's page in the tables on this page, and confirm at the bank before opening.

What CD term has the best rate?

It depends on the bank. In the rates we read in October 2026, the highest APY at Popular Direct was on its 60-month CD, while Bread Savings paid more on 18 months than on 9, and EverBank's best was 24 months. Compare terms at the bank you are considering.

Are online bank CDs safe?

Yes. Online bank CDs are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution. They often offer higher rates than traditional banks because of lower overhead costs.

Should I get a CD or high-yield savings account?

CDs are better if you want to lock in today's rate and won't need the money. High-yield savings is better if you need flexibility or think rates will rise. Compare the two rates at the time you decide.

Best CD Rates by Term (2026 Comparison)

Current CD Rates Overview

CD rates differ a lot by bank and term. The tables below list only rates we read on each bank’s own CD page, dated by the bank: Marcus and Bread Savings October 15, 2026; EverBank October 9, 2026; Popular Direct October 5, 2026; CIT Bank July 1, 2026; still shown on CIT's site October 15, 2026. A term appears only where we read at least one rate. Left out: Ally, Capital One and Synchrony, whose pages did not show readable term-by-term rates when we checked. Discover CD accounts are becoming Capital One CD accounts, so there are no Discover rows. Confirm the current APY at the bank before you open a CD.

Best CD Rates by Term

3-Month CDs

Institution	APY	Minimum	Type
EverBank	3.60%	$1,000	Online

6-Month CDs

Institution	APY	Minimum	Type
Popular Direct	4.35%	$10,000	Online
Marcus by Goldman Sachs	3.95%	$500	Online
CIT Bank	3.75%	$1,000	Online
EverBank	3.60%	$1,000	Online

9-Month CDs

Institution	APY	Minimum	Type
Bread Savings	4.40%	$1,500	Online
Marcus by Goldman Sachs	4.30%	$500	Online
EverBank	3.40%	$1,000	Online

1-Year CDs

Institution	APY	Minimum	Type
Popular Direct	4.50%	$10,000	Online
Marcus by Goldman Sachs	4.40%	$500	Online
EverBank	3.50%	$1,000	Online

18-Month CDs

Institution	APY	Minimum	Type
Bread Savings	4.75%	$1,500	Online
Marcus by Goldman Sachs	4.40%	$500	Online
EverBank	3.40%	$1,000	Online
CIT Bank	2.75%	$1,000	Online

2-Year CDs

Institution	APY	Minimum	Type
Popular Direct	4.70%	$10,000	Online
Marcus by Goldman Sachs	4.40%	$500	Online
EverBank	4.35%	$1,000	Online

3-Year CDs

Institution	APY	Minimum	Type
Popular Direct	4.85%	$10,000	Online
EverBank	3.40%	$1,000	Online

4-Year CDs

Institution	APY	Minimum	Type
Popular Direct	4.95%	$10,000	Online
EverBank	3.40%	$1,000	Online

5-Year CDs

Institution	APY	Minimum	Type
Popular Direct	5.00%	$10,000	Online
EverBank	3.40%	$1,000	Online

Earnings Calculator: $10,000 Deposit

By Term (Top Rate in the Tables Above)

Term	Top Rate Read	Bank	Interest Earned	Total at Maturity
3 Month	3.60%	EverBank	$89	$10,089
6 Month	4.35%	Popular Direct	$215	$10,215
9 Month	4.40%	Bread Savings	$328	$10,328
1-Year	4.50%	Popular Direct	$450	$10,450
18 Month	4.75%	Bread Savings	$721	$10,721
2-Year	4.70%	Popular Direct	$962	$10,962
3-Year	4.85%	Popular Direct	$1,527	$11,527
4-Year	4.95%	Popular Direct	$2,132	$12,132
5-Year	5.00%	Popular Direct	$2,763	$12,763

Interest = $10,000 x ((1 + APY)^(months / 12) - 1), assuming the APY is earned for the full term. Check the minimum deposit: Popular Direct needs $10,000.

No-Penalty CDs

For flexibility, consider no-penalty CDs:

Institution	Term	APY	Minimum
CIT Bank	11 months	3.90%	$1,000
Marcus	7 months	3.75%	$500
Marcus	11 months	4.00%	$500
Marcus	13 months	3.80%	$500

Marcus rates as of October 15, 2026; CIT Bank as of July 1, 2026; still shown on CIT's site October 15, 2026.

Early Withdrawal Penalties

Banks state penalties as interest forfeited, and the amount depends on the term.

Bank	Penalty by term
Ally	Less than 3 months: 30 days of interest; 3–24 months: 60 days; 25–36 months: 90 days; 37–48 months: 120 days; 49 months or longer: 150 days
Capital One (Discover CDs are becoming Capital One CDs)	12 months or shorter: 3 months of interest; longer than 12 months: 6 months of interest
Synchrony	12 months or less: 90 days of simple interest; more than 12 but less than 48 months: 180 days; 48 months or more: 365 days

From each bank’s own pages. We did not find penalty schedules for the other banks on this page on pages we could read; check the account agreement. Weigh the extra rate against the penalty before committing.

How to Compare CDs

Key Factors

Factor	What to Look For
APY	Higher is better
Minimum deposit	Fits your budget
Early withdrawal penalty	Lower if you might need money
Compounding frequency	Daily/monthly is standard
FDIC/NCUA insured	Always verify
Auto-renewal terms	Know the renewal rate

Warning Signs

Red Flag	Why to Avoid
Teaser rates	May be promotional, not ongoing
High minimums	May not match regular rate tables
Excessive penalties	Harsh early withdrawal terms
Not FDIC insured	Unacceptable risk

Key Takeaways

Rates vary by bank — in the tables above, 12-month APYs range from 3.50% to 4.50%
Check the minimum — it runs from $500 at Marcus to $10,000 at Popular Direct
A standard CD’s rate is fixed for its term — rates for new CDs change, so a rate you lock in stays put while later offers move
Brokerage and credit union CDs add options we did not rate-check here
Mind the penalty — breaking a CD early costs interest

See the full CD guide for laddering strategy, minimum deposits, and how CDs compare to HYSAs.

Sources used on this page

Figures on this page come from the sources below. We use the organization that publishes a figure (a government agency, regulator or the bank itself) wherever it can be checked, and say so when a figure comes from a secondary source instead.

EverBank Performance CD (as of October 9, 2026)
Popular Direct CDs (as of October 5, 2026)
Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CDs (as of October 15, 2026)
CIT Bank Term CDs (as of July 1, 2026; still shown on CIT's site October 15, 2026)
Bread Savings CDs (as of October 15, 2026)
Marcus by Goldman Sachs No-Penalty CD (as of October 15, 2026)
FDIC — National Rates and Rate Caps
Federal Reserve — Selected Interest Rates (H.15)

Last updated October 15, 2026 · How we source our data

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy