Top CDs for May 1, 2025: 12 Options Offering 4.50% with Rate Locks from 3 to 13 Months

Key Highlights

• The highest CD rate nationwide stands at 4.50%, available through 12 different offers with terms ranging from 3 to 18 months, allowing APY guarantees until late 2026.
• PenAir Credit Union recently introduced a 4.40% APY offer for a 21-month term, extending your rate lock into early 2027.
• For longer commitments, 3- to 5-year CDs currently yield between 4.28% and 4.32%.
• With the Federal Reserve adopting a cautious stance and potential rate cuts expected in 2025, locking in today’s top CD rates is a savvy move amid economic uncertainty.

Below are featured rates from our partners and comprehensive rankings of the nation’s best CDs.

Secure a 4.50% Rate Through Late 2026

The nation’s leading CD rate of 4.50% is accessible via multiple options. Twelve offers provide this yield, including two institutions offering a 3-month term and seven offering 6-month terms at 4.50%.

The longest 4.50% term is an 18-month CD from XCEL Federal Credit Union, securing returns through November 2026.

Federal Insurance Ensures Safety Across Institutions

Deposits at any FDIC-insured bank or NCUA-insured credit union enjoy federal protection up to $250,000 per person, regardless of institution size, safeguarding your investment even in unlikely failure scenarios.

Opt for Multiyear CDs to Lock Rates Further into the Future

PenAir Credit Union’s 21-month CD at 4.40% APY extends your rate lock into 2027. For a longer term with a slightly lower yield, Genisys Credit Union offers 4.32% for 30 months.

For savers aiming for extended security, Lafayette Federal Credit Union provides a 4.28% APY on 4-year CDs, and impressively, the same rate across certificates from 7 months up to 5 years, allowing rate guarantees through 2030.

Given the likelihood of Federal Reserve rate reductions in 2025 and possibly 2026, locking in multiyear CDs now ensures you retain today’s attractive rates despite future cuts.

Despite Declines, Today’s CDs Offer Historically Strong Returns

While CD rates have eased from their October 2023 peaks above 6%, the current top rate of 4.50% remains substantially higher than pre-2022 levels, when the best CDs offered only 0.50% to 1.70% APY.

Jumbo CDs vs. Standard CDs: Comparing Rates Across Terms

Jumbo CDs, requiring larger deposits, sometimes offer premium rates but not consistently. Currently, jumbo CDs match or fall below standard rates in half of the terms tracked.

• 6 months: Jumbo CDs at My eBanc and Credit One Bank yield 4.55%, slightly above the 4.50% standard rate.
• 3 years: Hughes Federal Credit Union offers 4.34% for jumbo CDs versus 4.32% standard.
• 4 years: Lafayette Federal Credit Union’s jumbo CDs pay 4.33%, edging out the 4.28% standard rate.
• 5 years: Both GTE Financial and Lafayette Federal Credit Union provide jumbo CD rates of 4.33%, surpassing the 4.28% standard.

Always compare jumbo and standard CD offerings; if the best rate is a standard CD, consider funding it with a jumbo deposit to maximize returns.

What Lies Ahead for CD Rates in 2025?

After three rate cuts in 2024 totaling one percentage point, the Federal Reserve paused further reductions in early 2025. These cuts reversed aggressive hikes from 2022–2023 aimed at taming inflation, which pushed rates to their highest since 2001.

Fed rate changes directly impact bank and credit union deposit rates, including CDs. While the future path remains uncertain and external factors like tariff policies may influence decisions, further rate cuts in 2025 could lower yields, making now an ideal time to secure top CD rates aligned with your financial goals.

Daily Updates on Top CDs and Savings Accounts

We refresh our rankings daily to present the best deposit rates nationwide, including:

• 3-Month CDs
• 6-Month CDs
• 1-Year CDs
• 18-Month CDs
• 2-Year CDs
• 3-Year CDs
• 4-Year CDs
• 5-Year CDs
• High-Yield Savings Accounts
• Money Market Accounts

Important Note

Our "top rates" reflect the highest nationally available yields identified through extensive daily research across hundreds of banks and credit unions, differing significantly from national averages which include many institutions offering minimal interest. Shopping around can reveal rates five to fifteen times higher than average.

How We Identify the Best CD Rates

Investopedia analyzes rate data from over 200 federally insured banks and credit unions nationwide each business day, ranking top CDs by term. Qualifying institutions must be FDIC or NCUA insured, offer CDs with minimum deposits no greater than $25,000, and maximum deposits not under $5,000. Banks must operate in at least 40 states. Credit unions requiring donations over $40 for membership are excluded. For full details, see our methodology.

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