Best CD Rates Today — Protect Your Earnings From Market Volatility, Aug. 8, 2024 [CNET]

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A certificate of deposit is a safe place to store your money at any time, but it can be particularly valuable when the economy is in turmoil. And after a poor July labor report sparked recession fears and stock-market panic, we’re undoubtedly in a period of turmoil.

Fortunately, while CD rates have been wavering for weeks, today’s best CDs still offer up to 5.30% annual percentage yield, or APY. By opening one of these accounts now, you can lock in a high APY and guarantee your earnings against future rate drops. But don’t wait — rates continue to fall across terms, so the sooner you secure a top APY, the greater your earning potential could be.

Today’s best CD rates

Here are some of the top rates available on today’s best CDs and how much you could earn by depositing $5,000 right now:

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.

How economic conditions affect CD rates

The Fed regularly adjusts the federal funds rate to stabilize the economy. This rate determines how much it costs banks to borrow and lend money to each other, so banks tend to follow the Fed’s lead.

When the Fed raised rates starting in March 2022, APYs on CDs skyrocketed. When the Fed held rates steady starting in September 2023, APYs largely held steady. In recent months, APYs have begun wavering as banks anticipated a rate cut, which Fed Chair Jerome Powell said “could be on the table at the September meeting.”

Following a dismal July labor report, some economists are calling for the Fed to make an emergency interest rate cut sooner. But whenever cuts occur, the sooner you lock in a high APY, the greater your earning potential could be — especially if you’re looking for a short-term CD.

“Rate cuts in September will affect the shortest-term CD rates right away,” said Noah Damsky, CFA, Principal of Marina Wealth Advisors. “So if you have a need to lock cash up for three to 12 months, that’s where you want to act as quickly as possible.”

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

How to choose a CD account

A competitive APY is important, but there are other things you should consider when comparing CDs to get the best product for your needs:

• When you’ll need your money: Early withdrawal penalties can eat into your interest earnings. So, be sure to choose a term that fits your savings timeline. 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 bank or credit union 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 the bank. 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.

Kelly is an editor for CNET Money focusing on banking. She has over 10 years of experience in personal finance and previously wrote for CBS MoneyWatch covering banking, investing, insurance and home equity products. She is passionate about arming consumers with the tools they need to take control of their financial lives. In her free time, she enjoys binging podcasts, scouring thrift stores for unique home décor and spoiling the heck out of her dogs.