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Synchrony Bank CD Rates: How Do They Compare in 2025?

Review Updated
Brooklyn Sprunger
Author: Brooklyn Sprunger
Brooklyn Sprunger
Brooklyn Sprunger
Content Manager

Brooklyn Sprunger is a full-time Content Manager and Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, where she oversees product reviews and ratings while also writing about credit cards, bank accounts, investing, auto insurance, and other personal finance topics. She has worked in financial content since 2018, including more than four years at The Motley Fool. When she’s not writing or editing, Brooklyn is likely hiking and watching the Tennessee Vols.

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Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. APY = Annual Percentage Yield.

If you’ve got cash sitting in a savings account, don’t wait any longer. The Federal Reserve just cut rates, and CD yields are expected to trend lower from here.

Synchrony Online CDs still offer some of the strongest returns around, but locking in now could save you from earning less later. Below, I’ll walk through today’s top rates, show how they stack up against competitors, and help you choose the right term for your goals.

Current Synchrony Online CD rates and terms

Rates as of Sept. 30, 2025

APY = Annual Percentage Yield

Offer image for Synchrony Online CD
Synchrony Online CD
Bottom Line

Perhaps one of the lesser-known names on the list, Synchrony (Member FDIC) is a full-line bank with a 90-year history. Synchrony's CDs are notable for competitive rates at most term lengths, plus low or no minimum deposits.

MINIMUM DEPOSIT $0
Open Account for Synchrony Online CD

On Synchrony Bank's Secure Website.

6 Mo. APY 9 Mo. APY 1 Yr. APY 1.5 Yr. APY 2 Yr. APY 3 Yr. APY 4 Yr. APY 5 Yr. APY
4.10% 4.00% 4.00% 3.80% 3.50% 3.75% 3.50% 4.00%

Unlike other banking products we evaluate, certificates of deposit (CDs) do not receive a star rating from us. This approach is due to the frequent updates in interest rates and terms associated with CDs. Instead, we highlight CDs on our best-of list pages based on their annual percentage yield (APY) and the fees associated with early withdrawals. Our top CD selections typically offer competitive APYs without complex qualification tiers, low early withdrawal penalties, reliable strong brand reliability, and user-friendly features.

Motley Fool Money focuses exclusively on standard CDs and does not review IRA CDs, bump-up CDs, callable CDs, or other specialized CD accounts.

Our aim is to maintain a balanced list featuring top-scoring products from reputable brands offering competitive APYs and standout features. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates bank accounts.

Unlike other banking products we evaluate, certificates of deposit (CDs) do not receive a star rating from us. This approach is due to the frequent updates in interest rates and terms associated with CDs. Instead, we highlight CDs on our best-of list pages based on their annual percentage yield (APY) and the fees associated with early withdrawals. Our top CD selections typically offer competitive APYs without complex qualification tiers, low early withdrawal penalties, reliable strong brand reliability, and user-friendly features.

Motley Fool Money focuses exclusively on standard CDs and does not review IRA CDs, bump-up CDs, callable CDs, or other specialized CD accounts.

Our aim is to maintain a balanced list featuring top-scoring products from reputable brands offering competitive APYs and standout features. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates bank accounts.

Key features of Synchrony Online CDs

Feature Details
Minimum Deposit $0
Range of Term Lengths 3 months to 5 years
Compounding Schedule Daily (interest paid monthly)
Grace Period 10 days after maturity
Data source: Synchrony Bank.

Early withdrawal penalties

If you take your principal out before the CD matures, you'll face a penalty. Here's the breakdown:

  • Terms of 12 months or less: 90 days of simple interest
  • Terms between 12-48 months: 180 days of simple interest
  • Terms longer than 48 months: 365 days of simple interest

These penalties are pretty standard, but still, something to think about before locking up your funds.

Pros and cons of Synchrony Online CDs

Pros:

  • No minimum deposit, which makes it super accessible
  • Competitive APYs, especially for mid-length terms
  • You can withdraw interest anytime without paying a penalty

Cons:

  • No terms longer than 5 years
  • Early withdrawal penalties can be steep on longer terms
  • No physical branches if you like in-person help

How do Synchrony Online CD rates compare?

Here's how Synchrony Bank stacks up against some of the best CDs:

Rates as of Sept. 30, 2025
LendingClub CD

LendingClub CD

Member FDIC.
APY:
4.45%
Term:
8 Months
Min. Deposit:
$500
Open Account for

On LendingClub's Secure Website.

Discover® Bank CD

Discover® Bank CD

Member FDIC.
APY:
3.50%
Term:
6 Months
Min. Deposit:
$0
Open Account for

On Discover Bank's Secure Website.

Synchrony Bank holds its own, especially if you want flexibility, low commitment, and the ability to cash out interest along the way. But if you're hunting for the highest rate and don't mind a higher deposit or niche provider, other banks may edge them out.

Maximizing your earnings: What's the best CD strategy in 2025?

Build a CD ladder

One way I like to approach CDs is by spreading my money across multiple terms. With Synchrony Bank, you can build a CD ladder from 3 months to 5 years, giving you regular access to funds while keeping some locked in at higher rates. When one matures, you can roll it into a new CD, or keep it liquid.

Still not sure if a CD is the move?

I totally get it -- I actually have both a CD and a high-yield savings account. I use the CD for money I know I won't need for a while, and the savings account for everything else.

If you think there's even a chance you'll need access to your cash sooner, a high-yield savings account could be the better call. You won't lock in a guaranteed rate, but you will get way more flexibility.

Compare savings rates

Make sure you're getting the best account for you by comparing savings rates and promotions. Here are some of our favorite high-yield savings accounts to consider.

Account APY Bonus Next Steps
up to 4.50%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit 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. Circle with letter I in it. Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
3.40%
Min. to earn: $0
Earn up to $200 when you use offer code TMF925 on your first Discover Online Savings application. Circle with letter I in it. Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account with offer code TMF925. Deposit $15,000 to earn a $150 bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn $200. Deposits must post within 45 days. Offer ends March 12, 2026. See Discover's website for full details.
Open Account for Discover® Online Savings

On Discover Bank's Secure Website.

4.10%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. The annual percentage yield (APY) is accurate as of September 30, 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
Disclaimers

To qualify for Bonus: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account, enter Offer Code TMF925 at application, deposit into your Account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Qualifying deposit(s) may consist of multiple deposits and must post to Account within 45 days of account open date. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200.

What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 60 days of qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is subject to tax reporting. Offer ends 03/12/2026, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice. Due to new customer funding limits, you may wish to initiate fund transfers at your other institution. For information on funding, see FAQs on Discover.com/Bank.

The annual percentage yield (APY) is accurate as of September 30, 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.

Tax tip

CD interest is taxed as regular income, even if you don't withdraw it. If you're putting in a large amount, keep that in mind when comparing your potential returns to other options.

How to open a Synchrony Online CD

It's easy to get started -- no in-person visit required.

  1. Click on this link to open a Synchrony Online CD account
  2. Enter your info: Name, address, SSN, and date of birth
  3. Choose your term: You've got 16 different CD options
  4. Fund the CD: Transfer from an existing account or another bank

Once funded, your money starts earning interest right away.

Should you open a Synchrony Online CD?

A Synchrony Online CD is great for you if:

  • You're looking for competitive CD rates with no deposit minimum
  • You want the option to access interest earnings along the way
  • You're building a CD ladder or saving for a set time frame

Maybe skip it if:

  • You need access to your full balance at any time
  • You're chasing the absolute highest rate (some niche banks beat Synchrony Bank)
  • You want customer support via physical branches

If that's you, check out our top high-yield savings picks instead.

FAQs

  • Yes, especially for no-minimum CDs. While some banks edge them out on APY, Synchrony Bank offers solid value across the board.

  • You can withdraw your interest anytime, but withdrawing your principal before maturity will result in a penalty.

  • Yes, Synchrony Bank offers bump-up and no-penalty CDs, but you'll need to check the current rates to see if they're worth it.