What Is a Jumbo CD?

A certificate of deposit (CD) is a deposit account (similar to a savings account) offered by banks and other financial institutions. It offers guaranteed earnings over time. But exactly what is a jumbo CD?

Quite simply, a jumbo CD is a CD opened with at least a $100,000 deposit. The term "jumbo" is used in finance to describe larger-sized products, like a very large mortgage loan, for example.

Even for people with sizable nest eggs, $100,000 (or more) is a significant chunk of change. Here's a look at the pros and cons of a jumbo CD and what to consider when opening one.

Jumbo CD vs. regular CD

Jumbo CDs work pretty much the same way as regular CDs. When you deposit money into a certificate of deposit, you earn an annual percentage yield (APY) that's typically higher than you'd get with other deposit accounts. But if you pull out your money before the maturity date, you'll face an early withdrawal penalty.

The big difference is that with a jumbo CD, you're usually depositing $100,000 or more. You can open a regular CD with as little as $500, though the minimum deposit amounts vary by financial institution.

Advantages of jumbo CDs

Any investment has pros and cons. Here are some reasons you may want to invest in a jumbo CD:

• Guaranteed returns: With a jumbo CD or a regular CD, your APY is guaranteed as long as you don't withdraw your money before the maturity date. You could earn better returns on your $100,000 if you invested it in the stock market, but you'd also risk losing your money. Jumbo CDs often pay slightly higher APYs than regular CDs.
• Safety: The investment is covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The maximum amount per depositor and ownership category is $250,000.

Jumbo CD disadvantages

Here are some potential drawbacks to consider before you invest in a jumbo CD.

• Potential for better returns: Other investments, like stocks, mutual funds, or real estate, have the potential to produce significantly higher returns than a jumbo CD. The $100,000 (or more) required to open a jumbo CD might be better used elsewhere.Even for people with high budgets, $100,000 is a lot of money to devote to a single investment rather than a diversified set of assets -- no matter how secure that single investment might be.
• Time commitment: There's always a time commitment with a CD. As a general rule of thumb, the longer the money stays in the account, the higher the APY. To get the top rates for both standard and jumbo CDs, you need to commit to a maximum term, which is typically (but not always) five years. Half a decade is a long time to be putting a six-figure pile of money under lock and key.
• CD laddering could be a better strategy: If you put all of your funds into one CD, you lose the chance to take advantage of the CD ladder strategy. CD laddering lets you allocate your investment across several CDs so you have at least one account maturing at the end of every year. This ensures an annual income from your CD investment.

How to invest in a jumbo CD

CDs are one of the most solid financial commitments in banking. But remember that the penalties for even modest withdrawals are steep. Once you park your money into a CD, it needs to stay there. If you need money for daily expenses, a checking account is a better choice. If you want to save money and earn interest but you don't want to lock up your money for an extended period, consider a high-yield savings account.

If you've decided you want to open a jumbo CD, the next step is to figure out which bank is right for you.

Start by shopping around to find the best CD rates. Online banks tend to offer higher rates since they don't have the overhead costs of a brick-and-mortar-bank. Although they don't necessarily have a separate jumbo CD category, their higher rates in general help make up for this.

Next, you'll want to nail down the term. You need to strike a balance between the return you'll be getting and the length of time you can go without access to the money.

Once you've found the right jumbo CD for you, sit back and wait for your investment to mature.

Still have questions?

Here are some of the other questions we've answered:

• Short-term CD vs. long-term CD: Which is right for you?
• What is a cash management account?
• CDs vs. bonds: What's the difference?