1.33%4.75%How to find the best CDsA CD allows you to lock away an investment for months to years in exchange for a higher interest rate than you’d find on an everyday savings account. If you’re looking for the best rates, online banks and fintechs tend to offer the highest rates. And keep in mind that typically, the longer the term length on a CD, the higher the APY. Since CD terms can range from a few months to more than a year, you’ll want to create a savings plan before you can find the ideal CD for your needs.1. Decide your savings goals.As a general rule, CDs offer greater savings the longer you agree to tie up your deposit. You may find that a CD with a 5-year term earns more than a 6-month term CD. This makes CDs great for turning a modest investment into a profit over a short to medium length of time. However, a short-term CD can still prove useful, depending on your savings goal. Here are two examples of ideal savings goals appropriate for each type of term length. Short-term CDs (3-12 months): Upcoming birthday gift, next year’s rent, small vacationLong-term CDs (13-60 months): College tuition, large vacation, home upgrades, graduation giftWhile your CD is open, you won’t have easy access to those funds. If you think you’ll need access to those funds, a savings account or a less restrictive CD might prove a better alternative than a standard CD:No-penalty CDs. Some banks offer CDs that don’t charge fees for withdrawing money early, though interest rates might be lower than standard CDs.High-yield savings accounts. Go for a savings account with a high APY if you want more access to your money, but keep in mind that your rate isn’t fixed like a CD.2. Compare APYs for your preferred term.Check APYs from a variety of banks, making sure to use the same term length across banks as you compare. The main features to compare include: APYHow often your savings compoundBank account transfer optionsFDIC or NCUA insuredWhat else should I know?Most CDs charge fees if you take your money out of the account earlier than the end of the term. Fees can vary widely by the bank, but examples of typical withdrawal penalty fees include:Six-month CDs: 90 days’ interestOne-year CDs: 180 days’ interestThree- to five-year CDs: 365 days’ interestUpon CD maturity, you usually have a grace period to renew your CD or to cash out. These range from 7 to 21 days, with the average at 10 days.Benefits and drawbacks of CDsProsHigher rates than savings accounts. CDs offer higher interest rates than you’d find with standard savings accounts. The current national average for savings accounts is just , Best high-yield savings accounts Bank of America is a Michigan-based bank that offers its CDs online nationwide. And its CD rates are competitive across many terms, especially on a few of its , The best CD rates of June 2025 are as high as 4.50% APY, which is available on brokered two- and five-year CDs from Vanguard. We like that the three-month CD offers the highest yield from DCU .