Best CD Rates This Week, Sept. 20, 2025: The Fed Cut Rates -- Lock In up to 4.54% APY Now Before These Top Rates Disappear
Image source: Getty Images
The Fed officially cut rates on Sept. 17 -- and that likely means CD yields will start to slip soon. After months of strong returns, this could be the beginning of the decline.
If you've been thinking about opening a CD, now's the time to act. Locking in a top rate today lets you protect your savings from future drops and earn a guaranteed return for the months or years ahead.
Below, you'll find some of the best CD rates available this week.
Featured offers
Synchrony Online CD
On Synchrony Bank's Secure Website.
Western Alliance Bank CD
On Raisin's Secure Website.
Discover® Bank CD
On Discover Bank's Secure Website.
Best CD rates this week, Sept. 20, 2025
| Bank | Term | APY | Minimum Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate First Bank | 8 Months | 4.54% | $500 |
| Brilliant Bank | 9 Months | 4.35% | $1,000 |
| United Fidelity Bank | 6 Months | 4.35% | $1,000 |
| United Fidelity Bank | 60 Months | 4.30% | $1,000 |
| Brilliant Bank | 15 Months | 4.30% | $1,000 |
All of the CDs featured here come from FDIC-insured banks, so your deposits are protected up to $250,000. Which account works best for you really comes down to two things: how much cash you want to commit and how long you're willing to leave it there.
Prefer something short and flexible? Climate First Bank is offering 4.54% APY on an 8-month CD, and you only need $500 to get started. Want to lock in a steady rate for years? United Fidelity's 5-year CD pays 4.30% APY with a $1,000 minimum.
Featured CD: LendingClub's 8 Mo. CD pays 4.10% APY and has a $500 minimum deposit. It's long enough to protect your savings from inflation and potential rate cuts, yet short enough to keep your cash within reach.
LendingClub CD
On LendingClub's Secure Website.
Should you lock in a CD right now?
Got money you won't need for a while? A certificate of deposit (CD) can be a simple, low-stress way to put it to work. CDs are meant for cash you can set aside -- whether just a few months or several years -- without touching it.
A CD could make sense if:
- You've already built an emergency cushion in a high-yield savings account (three to six months of expenses).
- Your long-term goals, like retirement, are on track with investments such as IRAs or index funds.
- You'd rather have steady, guaranteed growth than ride out market swings.
With fixed returns and FDIC protection up to $250,000, CDs offer safe, predictable growth. If you're looking for a no-fuss place to stash extra savings, now's a good time to consider one.
Example: Grow $25,000 into $25,736 in just 8 months
The appeal of CDs is simple -- certainty. From the moment you open one, you'll know exactly what your balance will be when the term ends.
Take LendingClub's 8-month CD as an example. A $25,000 deposit would grow to about $25,736 by maturity. That's $736 in guaranteed earnings on a short timeline, with zero effort.
And with interest rates likely to drop again before the end of next year, locking in today's higher yield could put you ahead. Read our full LendingClub CD review to find out more and lock in your rate today.
How to open a CD in 5 easy steps
It doesn't take long to set up a CD -- and once you do, your money can start earning a fixed return. Here's what to do:
- Shop around for rates. Check offers from several banks. Online banks often beat traditional ones, so make sure to compare.
- Decide how much to deposit. You usually can't add more later, and pulling money out early means penalties. Pick an amount you're okay leaving alone.
- Apply online or in person. You'll need basic info like your ID, Social Security number, and funding account details.
- Move your money. Transfer funds from checking or savings into your new CD. Your rate locks in as soon as the deposit goes through.
- Mark the maturity date. Set a reminder so you'll know when your CD ends -- and be ready to withdraw or roll it over.
That's it. Five quick steps, and your savings are set to grow. Ready to lock in a top rate? Click here to see today's best CD rates.
Grow your savings and keep access to your cash
A high-yield savings account (HYSA) lets you earn a strong return without tying up your money. Some of today's best accounts pay APYs that stack up well against top CDs.
The big perk? Flexibility. You can deposit or withdraw whenever you need -- no fees, no waiting period.
The trade-off is that rates aren't fixed. HYSA APYs can change at any time, while CDs guarantee your return until the term ends.
One clear standout now is NexBank High-Yield Savings Account from Raisin. This top-rated account pays 4.12% APY, which is right up there with the best CDs.
NexBank High-Yield Savings Account from Raisin
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor- High APY
- No monthly service fee
- Unlimited ACH transfers
- FDIC insured
- Deposits and withdrawals can only be conducted via ACH transfer to/from an external bank account (limited to one linked external account)
- No checking account offered through Raisin
- No branch access; online only
With a 4.12% APY -- one of the highest rates on any account we recommend -- the NexBank High-Yield Savings Account from Raisin stands out for savers who want serious returns with minimal effort. You only need $1 to open, and FDIC insurance through NexBank keeps your money protected. Raisin's secure online platform gives you 24/7 access to funds, and there's even a cash bonus opportunity if you deposit at least $10,000 within 14 days -- with higher deposits earning bigger rewards, up to $1,000. It's a no-fuss, set-it-and-forget-it option for growing your savings at a top rate.
Our Picks for the Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2025
| Account | APY | Bonus | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings
On SoFi's Secure Website.
4.90/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor |
up to 4.30%
Rate info
Earn up to 4.30% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.60% APY as of 11/12/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account and enroll in SoFi Plus by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
Min. to earn: $0
|
Earn up to $300 and +0.70% Boost on Savings APY with direct deposit. Terms apply.
Earn up to 4.30% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.60% APY as of 11/12/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account and enroll in SoFi Plus by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
|
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings
On SoFi's Secure Website. |
Open Account for CIT Platinum Savings
On CIT's Secure Website.
4.60/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor |
3.85%
Rate info
3.85% APY for balances of $5,000 or more; otherwise, 0.25% APY
Min. to earn: $5,000
|
Earn a bonus of up to $300 after a one-time deposit of $25,000+
This limited-time offer to qualify for a $225 cash bonus with a minimum deposit of $25,000 or a $300 bonus with a minimum deposit of $50,000 is available to New and Existing Customers who meet the Platinum Savings promotion criteria. The Promotion begins on September 23, 2025, and can end at any time without notice. Customers will receive a $225 or a $300 bonus provided that the program requirements are met. Click here to see promotion details and terms: https://www.cit.com/cit-bank/platinum-savings/PS2025
|
Open Account for CIT Platinum Savings
On CIT's Secure Website. |
Open Account for Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier
On Western Alliance Bank's Secure Website.
4.40/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor |
4.05%
Rate info
The annual percentage yield (APY) is accurate as of November 6, 2025 and subject to change at the Bank’s discretion. Refer to product’s website for latest APY rate. Minimum deposit required to open an account is $500 and a minimum balance of $0.01 is required to earn the advertised APY.
Min. to earn: $500 to open, $0.01 for max APY
|
N/A
|
Open Account for Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier
On Western Alliance Bank's Secure Website. |
Platinum Savings is a tiered interest rate account. Interest is paid on the entire account balance based on the interest rate and APY in effect that day for the balance tier associated with the end-of-day account balance. *APYs — Annual Percentage Yields are accurate as of September 23, 2025: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.85% APY on balances of $5,000.00 or more. Interest Rates for the Platinum Savings account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $100.
Based on comparison to the national average Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on savings accounts as published in the FDIC National Rates and Rate Caps, accurate as of September 15, 2025.
For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures.
The annual percentage yield (APY) is accurate as of November 6, 2025 and subject to change at the Bank’s discretion. Refer to product’s website for latest APY rate. Minimum deposit required to open an account is $500 and a minimum balance of $0.01 is required to earn the advertised APY.
Accurate as of the time of publication. The national average rate referenced is from the FDIC's published National Rates and Rate Caps for Savings deposit products, accurate as of October 20, 2025. See the website for more information.
-
Sources
FAQs
-
Yes. Certificates of deposit are one of the safest places to keep your money. Your deposits are insured by the FDIC (or NCUA if you use a credit union) up to $250,000 per person, per bank. That means even if the bank fails, your money is protected.
-
Rates are still among the best we've seen in years, but they may not stay this high for long. The Fed cut rates last week as expected, so CD rates are likely to start trending downward as a result. Locking in now means you keep today's return all the way through your CD's term.
-
You can, but there's usually a penalty. When you open a CD, you agree to leave your money in for a set time -- like 6 months, a year, or even multiple years. If you need it before then, the bank will likely charge you some of the interest you've earned. Early withdrawal penalties vary by bank. That's why CDs are best for money you don't plan to touch right away.
Our Research Expert
James McClenathen is a full-time Managing Editor and Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, overseeing the production and quality of editorial content while also writing about credit cards, investing, and everyday money management. He has worked at The Motley Fool since 2012 and brings extensive experience as an editor, reporter, and finance expert. A graduate of the University of Michigan, James has spent more than a decade of his career helping readers make smarter financial decisions.