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The Top CD Rates Today, March 18, 2025: Up to 4.65% APY

Published March 18, 2025
James McClenathen
Author: James McClenathen
James McClenathen
James McClenathen

James is the Managing Editor for Motley Fool Money, overseeing the production and quality of our editorial content. James has worked full-time for The Motley Fool since 2012. He's a personal finance wonk, longtime editor, former reporter, and University of Michigan alum.

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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.

With the top interest rates for short-term CDs of 12 months or less currently peaking between about 4.50% and 4.65%, it might be wise to lock in these rates now.

While cuts may occur later this year, financial experts expect the Federal Reserve to keep rates unchanged at their meeting that begins today.

Below are some of the top CD rates available today.

Bank APY Term Minimum Deposit
OMB 4.65% 7 months $1,000
DR Bank 4.65% 6 months $500
Brilliant Bank 4.60% 3 months $1,000
MutualOne Bank 4.59% 6 months $500
Brilliant Bank 4.55% 9 months $1,000
Data source: Issuing banks.

Why we chose these CDs

The CDs in our list above offer extremely competitive rates with APYs among the highest we found. They have low minimum deposits, allowing you to start with as little as $500, unlike some CDs that require a minimum deposit of $5,000 or more.

Additionally, these CDs are available nationwide and are offered by banks that anyone in the U.S. can join without dealing with the membership requirements a lot of credit unions impose. One final perk: Each of these CDs can be easily opened online, directly from the bank issuer's website. It's never been quicker to get started.

The Best CD Rates From Our Partners Today

Rates as of April 22, 2025
Bank & CD Offer APY Term Min. Deposit Next Steps
LendingClub CD
Member FDIC.
Open Account for

On LendingClub's Secure Website.

APY:
4.10%
Term:
14 Months
Min. Deposit:
$500
Open Account for

On LendingClub's Secure Website.

Discover® Bank CD
Member FDIC.
Open Account for

On Discover Bank's Secure Website.

APY:
4.00%
Term:
1 Year
Min. Deposit:
$0
Open Account for

On Discover Bank's Secure Website.

Western Alliance Bank CD
Open Account for

On Raisin's Secure Website.

APY:
4.00%
Term:
6 Months
Min. Deposit:
$1
Open Account for

On Raisin's Secure Website.

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.

Should you open a CD today?

CD rates remain at historically high levels, despite having decreased since mid-2024. We'll find out later this week if the Fed decides to make any change to rates, but predictions are that rates will remain the same for the time being.

Now could be an excellent time to lock in a CD if:

  • You want safe, guaranteed returns on your cash investment
  • You want to protect your savings from interest rate cuts that could occur later this year
  • You have cash that you can leave untouched for the full CD term

The best CDs have FDIC insurance, ensuring that deposits up to $250,000 per person, per bank are safe from bank failure. CD investments carry almost no risk, although you may achieve higher returns by putting your money to work elsewhere, such as in the stock market.

If you want to earn a high APY without committing your funds for three months or more, check out our list of the best high-yield savings accounts.

How to open a CD

If you're ready to open a CD now, follow these four simple steps:

  1. Shop around to find the highest APY for the CD term you want.
  2. Make sure you can meet the minimum deposit, if there is one. And familiarize yourself with any fine print in the CD details.
  3. Apply for a new account on the bank's website, mobile app, or over the phone. If you qualify, approval takes no time at all.
  4. Link a bank account and transfer funds to your new CD. You can typically only make one deposit per CD, so be sure to have your entire investment ready to transfer.

Click here to explore the best CD rates and open a high-yield CD today.

Make a note of your CD's maturity date. Two things can happen when your CD matures:

  1. The bank can pay out your initial deposit plus your earnings as cash.
  2. Or, it can reinvest your funds in a new CD of the same term (but likely with a different APY).

Typically, banks provide a grace period of approximately seven to 10 days after the CD's maturity date for you to either withdraw your funds or reinvest in a new CD.

Earn up to 4.30% APY without losing access to your money

The best high-yield savings accounts offer more flexibility, less commitment, and allow you to:

  • Deposit and withdraw money whenever you want.
  • Quickly transfer money to other accounts.
  • Deposit cash and leave it as long as you want.

Unlike CDs, savings accounts are variable-rate accounts, meaning banks can raise or lower your APY at any time. However, high-yield savings accounts currently have APYs that rival the best CDs, so you won't give up much in interest earnings to retain the flexibility that a savings account provides.

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 Promotion Next Steps
up to 3.80%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.
Min. to earn: $0
New customers can earn up to a $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposits!
3.60%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. See Capital One website for most up-to-date rates. Advertised Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is variable and accurate as of April 8, 2025. Rates are subject to change at any time before or after account opening.
Min. to earn: $0
N/A
4.00%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. Balances less than $250,000 earn 4.00%, and balances greater than $250,000 earn 4.20%.
Min. to earn: $0
N/A
Open Account for Barclays Tiered Savings

On Barclays' Secure Website.