Top CD rates March 2, 2026: Lock in up to up to 4.15%

With the Federal Reserve having reduced its benchmark federal funds rate three times in 2025 and many banks cutting their CD and savings interest rates in response, investing in CDs now while rates are still relatively high could be a smart move. Right now, the CDs with the highest annual percentage yield on our list are the 3-month and 6-month CDs from Northern Bank Direct, as well as the 9-month CD from Bread Savings, all earning 4.15%.

Below, you’ll find a list of CDs with terms ranging from 1 month to 10 years, curated in partnership with financial services data company Curinos to help you make the most informed decision possible for your situation. Best CD rates today Here are current CD rates as shown on the Curinos report: Highest CD rates by term today What the Fortune/Curinos partnership means for your CD strategy Fortune has partnered with Curinos, a firm with decades of experience in financial data and analytics, to compile the highest CD APYs on the market.

We receive a daily report from Curinos with CD yields from a wide range of financial institutions. Using those reports, we compile a list of CDs that can help you earn a generous amount of interest no matter what term length you need. Pro tip Looking for the best CD to fit your investment needs?

See rates from top institutions: –Wells Fargo –Capital One –Chase –Bank of America –Discover Bank –Northern Bank Direct –Ally Bank –Newtek Bank –Popular Direct –Citibank –Sallie Mae Bank How much interest you might earn with a high-APY CD How much interest your CD will earn depends on factors such as your initial deposit amount, the term length, the APY, and how often your interest compounds.

Below are a few estimates to help you understand different scenarios and why seeking out a CD with a high APY is worth your time. Example: Earn $1,000+ in interest vs. $300+ in interest These hypotheticals assume an initial deposit of $5,000 and monthly compounding. As you can see, shopping around for the highest CD rate for the term you need could potentially help you net hundreds of dollars in interest earned compared to just opening a low-APY CD at your main brick-and-mortar bank.

History of CD rates In the early 1980s, CD rates soared into the double digits, a sharp contrast to today’s lower yields. By 2019, however, the APY for a five-year CD was only a hair above 3.00%. Throughout the early 2020s, rates soared over 5.00% as the economy worked its way through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Five years later, we find many CD rates hovering in the 3.00%-4.00% range. Here’s a look at how CD rates for various terms fluctuated over the course of 2025, according to FDIC numbers. Note that on our list, you’ll find typically rates much higher than the average yield for any given term.

How the Federal Reserve impacts your CD options As of this writing, the federal funds rate stands at 3.50%-3.75%. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets eight times per year, and its next meeting is slated for March 17-18. Seasoned investors know that CD market rates closely track the monetary policy decisions of the Federal Reserve, particularly changes in the fed funds rate.

That benchmark rate is what banks charge each other to borrow money overnight. To sum it up briefly, the Fed often reduces the federal funds rate when it wants to make borrowing cheaper, and hikes it to make borrowing more expensive. For example, the central bank cut this rate to effectively zero during the coronavirus pandemic in an effort to stave off recession.

Then, as inflation and dramatically increasing prices became the more prominent concern, the Fed hiked rates repeatedly. How to choose the best CD account The first factor you’ll need to consider is how long you’re comfortable locking your money away for, as most CDs charge early withdrawal penalties.