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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
Editorial Strategist

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.

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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 29, 2026
Western Alliance Bank CD

Western Alliance Bank CD

APY:
3.00%
Term:
3 Months
Min. Deposit:
$1
Open Account for

On Raisin's Secure Website.

Quontic CD

Quontic CD

Member FDIC.
APY:
3.50%
Term:
6 Months
Min. Deposit:
$500
Open Account for

On Quontic's Secure Website.

Synchrony Online CD

Synchrony Online CD

Member FDIC.
APY:
4.00%
Term:
9 Months
Min. Deposit:
$0
Open Account for

On Synchrony Bank'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 Bonus Next Steps
up to 4.00%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 3/31/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/26. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
Min. to earn: $0
Earn $50 or $400 and +0.70% Boost on Savings APY with direct deposit. Terms apply. Circle with letter I in it.

Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 3/31/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/26. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
up to 4.10%*
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. 4.10%* APY for balances of $5,000 or more; otherwise, 0.60%* APY
Min. to earn: $5,000
Earn up to 4.10% APY with promo code CITBoost Circle with letter I in it.

With the 6 month Boost limited-time offer, you earn 4.10%* APY on balances over $5,000 (balances less than $5,000 earn 0.60%* APY). After the boost is complete you will continue to earn standard rates-- 3.75% APY for balances over $5,000 (balances less than $5,000 earn 0.25% APY). The minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $100. Member FDIC. No monthly service fees.
4.10%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. Earn a guaranteed 4.10% APY for 90 days. After that, your savings keep growing at a competitive standard rate -- currently 3.95% APY (subject to change). No minimum account balance required. Deposit or withdraw at any time with no additional fees.
Min. to earn: $1
NEW CUSTOMER BONUS: Earn up to $1,500 with code FRESHSTART at sign-up. Circle with letter I in it.

New customers: earn up to $1,500 in cash bonuses when you open a savings account through the Raisin platform with code FRESHSTART and make a qualifying deposit within 14 days of your first deposit. Bonuses are tiered: $70 for depositing between $10,000 and $24,499, $175 for depositing between $25,000 and $49,999, $350 for depositing between $50,000 and $99,999, and $750 for depositing between $100,000 and $199,999, and $1,500 for depositing $200,000 or more. To receive the bonus, deposits must be maintained for 90 days. Offer ends May 31, 2026.
Disclaimers

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 January 9, 2026: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.75% 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 February 17, 2026.

* Platinum Savings APY Boost Promotion Terms and Conditions

This is a limited time offer available to New and Existing customers who meet the Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion criteria.

Accounts enrolled in the Platinum Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Boost promotion will receive a 0.35% APY boost on the Platinum Savings current standard APY tiers for 6 months following the opening of a new account or when an existing Platinum Savings account is enrolled in the promotion. The Platinum Savings APY boost will be applied on account balances up to $9,999,999.00. Account balances above $9,999,999.00 will earn the standard APY. If the standard-published APY should change during the promotion period, the APY boost will move with it, offering an account APY above the standard rate.

The Promotion begins on February 13, 2026, and ends June 30, 2026. Customers enrolled in the promotion prior to the end date will receive the APY boost for the 6-month period outlined in the terms and conditions.

The promotion can end at any time without notice.

For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures.

CIT General Disclosure

For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures. https://www.cit.com/cit-bank/resources/forms