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The average rate for a 1-year CD in the US is 1.79% APY (Annual Percentage Yield). However, the best online banks pay well over 5% APY on a 1-year CD.

Rising Bank 1 Year CD


Start saving

On Rising Bank’s site. Rising Bank, FDIC Insured.


Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

5.60%


Minimum Deposit Amount

$1,000

Pros

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Competitive APY
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Standard early withdrawal penalties
Cons

  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. $1,000 minimum opening deposit
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. Limited CD terms


Product Details

  • Terms range from 6 months to 3 years
  • Early withdrawal penalties: For 6-month and 1-year terms, the early withdrawal penalty is 90 days of interest on the amount withdrawn; For terms 15 months or longer, the early withdrawal penalty is 180 days’ interest
  • Interest compounded and deposited every three months
  • Member FDIC

The best CD rate on a 1-year CD is 6.00% APY from City Credit Union and Credit Human Federal Credit Union. If you are looking for additional CD options, there are other financial institutions with high 1-year CD rates, too.

We check rates daily to find the best rates for 1-year terms. Here are our recommendations for the best 1-year CDs. 

Best 1-Year CD Rates

Market Leader

Membership at City Credit Union is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in an eligible county in Texas (Cooke, Grayson, Wise, Denton, Collin, Hunt, Rockwall, Dallas, Tarrant, Parker, Johnson, Ellis or Kaufman County). 

Membership at Credit Human Federal Credit Union is open to anyone in the US if they join the American Consumer Council. Credit Human also has other ways to become a member. For example, you’ll be eligible to join if you live in a service area in San Antonio, Texas, or New Orleans, Louisiana, or if you work for a partner employer or organization.

Top 1-Year CD Rates

Compare the Best 1-Year CDs

Credit Human 1 Year Share Certificate

Insider’s Rating

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3.75/5


Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

6.00%


Minimum Deposit Amount

$500

Pros

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High interest rate
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Low minimum opening deposit
Cons

  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. High early withdrawal penalties


Product Details

  • Branches primarily in San Antonio, Texas
  • To join Credit Human, you or a family member must be an employe of an employer or organization partner; live, work, worship or attend school in a San Antonio, TX or New Orleans, LA service area; study at a trade school, college or university partner; are a veteran, retiree, or active duty member of the US Armed Forces or National Guard; or become a member of the American Consumer Council
  • Early withdrawal penalties: 90 days of interest for terms of 3 months; 180 days of interest for terms of 6 months; 270 days of interest for terms of 12 months; 365 days of interest for terms of 36 months; 730 days of interest for terms of 60 months; 1,095 days of interest for terms of 84 or 120 months
  • Terms range from 6 months to 10 years
  • Federally insured by the NCUA

City Credit Union 1 Year CD

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

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3.75/5


Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

6.00%


Minimum Deposit Amount

$1,000

Pros

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High interest rate
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Standard early withdrawal penalty
Cons

  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. $1,000 minimum opening deposit


Product Details

  • 5 branches in Texas (Gainesville, Sherman, Ferguson, Ducanville, and Waxahachie)
  • Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in an eligible county in Texas (Cooke, Grayson, Wise, Denton, Collin, Hunt, Rockwall, Dallas, Tarrant, Parker, Johnson, Ellis, or Kaufman Counties are all eligible)
  • Early withdrawal penalty is 90 days of interest
  • Interest compounded and deposited monthly
  • Federally insured by the NCUA

LendingClub 1 Year CD

Insider’s Rating

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3.75/5


Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

5.65%


Minimum Deposit Amount

$2,500

Pros

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High interest rate
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Standard CD terms
Cons

  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. $2,500 minimum opening deposit
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. Interest compounds monthly, not daily
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. Standard-to-high early withdrawal penalties


Product Details

  • Online banking institution with 1 branch in Boston, Massachusetts
  • Terms for online CDs range from 6 months to 5 years
  • $2,500 minimum opening deposit
  • Early withdrawal penalty will depend on the amount deposited and term chosen
  • Interest compounded and deposited monthly
  • Member FDIC

Forbright 1 Year Online CD

Insider’s Rating

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3.5/5


Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

5.65%


Minimum Deposit Amount

$1,000

Pros

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Competitive interest rate
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Standard early withdrawal penalties
Cons

  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. $1,000 minimum opening deposit
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. Limited online CD terms


Product Details

  • For terms less than 24 months, the early withdrawal penalty is 3 months of interest
  • Interest compounded daily and deposited monthly
  • FDIC insured

TotalDirectBank 1 Year CD

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

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3.25/5


Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

5.65%


Minimum Deposit Amount

$25,000

Pros

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High interest rate
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Standard early withdrawal penalties
Cons

  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. High minimum opening deposit
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. Limited customer support
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. Doesn’t operate in Florida, Somoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and US Virgin Islands


Product Details

  • Online-only division of City National Bank of Florida
  • Early withdrawal penalties: 30 days of interest for terms between 30 days up to 6 months; 90 days of interest for terms above 6 months and up to one year; 180 days of interest for terms over 1 year
  • Maximum deposit of $1 million
  • Interest compounded daily and deposited monthly
  • FDIC insured

CIBC Agility 1 Year CD

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

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A five pointed star

3.5/5


Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

5.62%


Minimum Deposit Amount

$1,000

Pros

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High interest rates, especially if deposit $25,000 or more
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Standard-to-low early withdrawal penalties
Cons

  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. $1,000 minimum opening deposit
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. Limited CD terms


Product Details

  • Earn a higher interest rate if you deposit $25,000 or more
  • Terms range from 9 months to 30 months
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 30 day of interest if you withdraw before the end of your term
  • Interest compounded and deposited monthly
  • Member FDIC

Rising Bank 1 Year CD


Start saving

On Rising Bank’s site. Rising Bank, FDIC Insured.

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

4/5


Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

5.60%


Minimum Deposit Amount

$1,000

Pros

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Competitive APY
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Standard early withdrawal penalties
Cons

  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. $1,000 minimum opening deposit
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. Limited CD terms


Product Details

  • Terms range from 6 months to 3 years
  • Early withdrawal penalties: For 6-month and 1-year terms, the early withdrawal penalty is 90 days of interest on the amount withdrawn; For terms 15 months or longer, the early withdrawal penalty is 180 days’ interest
  • Interest compounded and deposited every three months
  • Member FDIC

Bask Bank 1 Year CD

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

3.5/5


Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

5.60%


Minimum Deposit Amount

$1,000

Pros

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Competitive interest rate on CDs
Cons

  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. $1,000 minimum opening deposit
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. Limited term options


Product Details

  • Terms range from 6 months to 24 months
  • Early withdrawal penalties: For terms 1 year and under, the penalty is 90 days of simple interest; For any terms over 1 year, the penalty is 180 days of simple interest
  • Interest compounded daily, deposited monthly
  • FDIC insured through Texas Capital Bank

Bread Savings 1 Year High-Yield CD


Start saving

On Bread Savings’ website. Bread Savings, FDIC Insured.

Insider’s Rating

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

A five pointed star

3.5/5


Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

5.60%


Minimum Deposit Amount

$1,500

Pros

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Competitive APY
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Standard early withdrawal penalties
Cons

  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. $1,500 minimum opening deposit
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’. Limited term options


Product Details

  • CD terms range from 1 year to 5 years
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 180 days simple interest for terms between 1 year and 3 years; 365 days simple interest for terms between 4 years and 5 years
  • Interest compounded daily, paid monthly
  • FDIC Insured

1-Year CD FAQs

A 1-year CD may be worth it if you don’t need access to some of your savings for an entire year. Some of the highest CD rates overall are available as 1-year terms.

A 1-year CD is a type of savings account. You’ll put money into an account for 12 months and earn a fixed rate. You have the option to renew your CD at the end of the year, or close the account and take out your money.

The best rate for a 1-year CD is 6.00% APY, available at City Credit Union and Credit Human Federal Credit Union. To join City Credit Union, you must live, work, worship, or attend school in an eligible county in Texas (Cooke, Grayson, Wise, Denton, Collin, Hunt, Rockwall, Dallas, Tarrant, Parker, Johnson, Ellis, or Kaufman County). You’ll be eligible to join Credit Human Federal Credit Union if you live in a service area in San Antonio, Texas, or New Orleans, Louisiana; join the American Consumer Council, or work for a partner employer or organization.

CD could be better than a high-yield savings account if you do not need immediate access to your money or expect interest rates to drop. If rates are rising or you’ll need regular access to your money, a savings account might be a better fit.

1-Year CD Reviews

These are our picks for the best 1-year CD rates. Our top picks for CDs are protected by FDIC or NCUA insurance. If you’re worried about bank failures, keep in mind money is safe at a federally insured financial institution. When a financial institution is federally insured, up to $250,000 per depositor is secure in a bank account.

Credit Human 1 Year Share Certificate

A Credit Human Share Certificate may be a good choice if you value banking with a credit union over a bank. Credit Human Federal Credit Union has a high interest rate for a 1-year term, and you only need $500 to open an account. 

To open a Credit Human Share Certificate, you’ll have to qualify for membership. The easiest way to become a member regardless of where you live in the US is to join the American Consumer Council. Credit Human also has other ways to become a member. For example, you’ll be eligible to join if you live in a service area in San Antonio, Texas, or New Orleans, Louisiana, or if you work for a partner employer or organization.

APY for a 1-year CD: 6.00% APY

1-year CD early withdrawal penalty: 270 days of interest

City Credit Union 1 Year CD

City Credit Union is a great choice for getting a CD if you live in North Texas and prioritize banking with a credit union. The credit union is offering 6.00% APY on a 1-year CD.

To join City Credit Union, you must live, work, worship, or attends school in an eligible county in Texas (Cooke, Grayson, Wise, Denton, Collin, Hunt, Rockwall, Dallas, Tarrant, Parker, Johnson, Ellis or Kaufman County).

The credit union’s CD has a $1,000 minimum opening deposit. Other banks on our list may allow you to open a CD with less money upfront.

APY for 1-year CD: 6.00% APY

1-year CD early withdrawal penalty: 90 days of interest

Popular Direct 1 Year CD

Popular Direct CDs pay competitive rates, and compound interest daily.

You’ll need at least $10,000 to open a Popular Direct CD. The early withdrawal penalty is also pretty steep.

APY for 1-year CD: 5.67% APY

1-year CD early withdrawal penalty: 270 days of simple interest

Popular Direct Review

LendingClub 1 Year CD

LendingClub CDs may be a good option if you’re searching for short-term, fixed-interest savings options. The 1-year term pays the highest rate at LendingClub, followed by the 6-month and 18-month terms.

LendingClub CDs require a $2,500 minimum deposit. Other banks may let you open a CD with $1,000 or less.

APY for 1-year CD: 5.65% APY

1-year CD early withdrawal penalty: 180 days of simple interest

LendingClub Bank Review

Forbright 1 Year Online CD

The Forbright Bank Online CD may be worthwhile if you value banking with an eco-friendly financial institution that has nationwide online CDs. The 1-year CD offers a high interest rate. You might like Forbright if you value banking with a financial institution that aligns with your values — Forbright Bank has received a Fossil Free Certification, which means that it will not lend to fossil fuel companies or projects.

If you’d like to open a checking, savings, or money market account, you’ll have to open an account at a branch in Maryland. Forbright Bank also has limited online CD terms. You’ll find more variety at other online banks.

APY for 1-year CD: 5.65% APY

1-year CD early withdrawal penalty: 3 months of interest

Forbright Bank Review

TotalDirectBank 1 Year CD

The TotalDirect Bank 1 Year CD offers a competitive interest rate on a 1-year term. TotalDirectBank also pays high rates on 3-month and 6-month terms.

TotalDirectBank is the online-only division of City National Bank of Florida. TotalDirectBank CDs have a steep minimum opening deposit of $25,000 and a maximum deposit of $1 million. The online institution also doesn’t operate in Florida, Somoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or US Virgin Islands.

APY for 1-year CD: 5.65% APY

1-year CD early withdrawal penalty: 90 days of interest

CIBC Agility 1 Year CD

CIBC Agility CDs may be worthwhile if you would like to open an online CD with low early withdrawal penalties. CIBC Bank USA is the US division of the Toronto-based bank Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and has a competitive CD rate for a 1-year term.

CIBC USA also has a CIBC Agility Online Savings Account, a few checking account options, and a money market account. The savings account can also be opened from anywhere in the US, but the checking and money market accounts are only available to residents who live near banking centers. Banking centers are available in select cities in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

APY for a 1-year CD: 5.62% APY

1-year CD early withdrawal penalty: 30 days of interest

CIBC Bank USA Review

Rising Bank 1 Year CD

The Rising Bank 1 Year CD has the highest interest rate at the bank right now. You also might like this institution if you are searching for a CD with reasonable early withdrawal penalties.

Rising Bank compounds and deposits interest every three months. Other financial institutions may compound interest daily. Depending on how much money you plan to deposit into your account, this could potentially make a significant difference.

APY for 1-year CD: 5.60% APY

1-year CD early withdrawal penalty: 90 days of interest

Rising Bank Review

Bask Bank 1 Year CD

The Bask Bank 1 Yeard CD offers the highest interest rate at the bank. You also might like Bask Bank if you find one of the bank’s savings accounts appealing. The online financial institution has a high-yield savings account paying significantly more than the national savings account average. Its other savings account is featured in our best bank accounts for travel.

Bask Bank has limited CD terms, though. If you’re looking to open a CD with a term over 2 years, you might prefer another institution. 

APY for 1-year CD: 5.60% APY

1-year CD early withdrawal penalty: 90 days of interest

Bask Bank Review

Bread Savings 1 Year High-Yield CD

Bread Savings is a solid choice for CDs. It has a great interest rate on 1-year terms, and also one of the best 2-year CD rates.

Bread Savings CDs require at least $1,500 to open an account. Other financial institutions on our list may have lower minimum opening requirements.

APY for 1-year CD: 5.60% APY

1-year CD early withdrawal penalty: 180 days of interest

Bread Savings Review

Other 1-Year CDs We Considered

We looked at the following 1-year CDs as well. These CDs ultimately weren’t chosen among our top picks because they may have lower rates than our winners, higher minimum opening deposits, or more substantial early withdrawal penalties. You might find some of these options appealing though, depending on your preferences.

  • Latino Community Credit Union 1 Year Share Certificate: Latino Community Credit Union has a high rate on a 1-year CD, but it isn’t as competitive as any of our top picks. You still might like this option if you live in North Carolina and prioritize banking with a local financial institution. 
  • Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union Share Certificate: Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union has a 1-year share certificate special offering a high interest rate (new deposits only). It didn’t make our list because it local financial institution that serves only certain communities. Other banks also offer more competitive rates so it isn’t a market leader for a 1-year term. You still might consider this option if you live in select counties in Texas.
  • Connexus Credit Union 1 Year Share Certificate: Connexus Credit Union has a high 1-year CD rate, but our top picks are more competitive.
  • Western Alliance Bank 1 Year CD, powered by Raisin: Raisin offers great interest rates for a variety of savings accounts, but our top picks currently offer higher 1-year CD rates.
  • Limelight Bank Online CD: Limelight Bank has high interest rates on 1-year and 18-month terms, but its 1-year CD rate is just short of the ones mentioned in our list.
  • Edward Jones CD: Edward Jones has brokered CDs with interest rates much higher than the national average. However, you must have a brokerage account or bank account to open a CD. Our top picks also currently offer more competitive 1-year CD rates.
  • Sallie Mae CD: Sallie Mae CD rates recently dropped. The 1-year term pays 5.25% APY, which is lower than our top picks.
  • Crescent Bank CD: Crescent Bank’s 1-year CD pays 5.35% APY, which is just short of the top rates on our list. 
  • USALLIANCE Financial 12 Month Certificate: A 1-year USALLIANCE Financial Certificate pays 5.20% APY, but our top picks offer more competitive interest rates right now. 
  • BrioDirect High-Yield CD: BrioDirect has a 1-year CD that pays 5.35%, but our top picks offer higher rates right now. 
  • First Internet Bank of Indiana CD: First Internet Bank of Indiana has a 1-year CD paying 5.35% APY, but its rate is just short of the rates on our list.
  • Quontic CD: Quontic Bank has a good rate, just not quite as high as what you’ll find on our list.
  • America First Credit Union Certificate: AFCU pays a high rate on its 1-year term, but the rates at our top picks are slightly higher.
  • Barclays Online CD: Barclays CDs can be opened with $0, but our top picks offer higher interest rates.
  • Vio Bank CD: Vio Bank’s 1-year term pays a lower interest rate than our top picks
  • Air Force Federal Credit Union Certificate Account: Air Force Federal Credit Union pays high CD rates for a 1-year term but you’ll need a minimum of $100,000 to qualify for the highest interest rate.
  • PenFed Credit Union Money Market Certificate: PenFed pays a good interest rate on a 1-year CD, but our top picks have even higher rates right now. 
  • Alliant Certificate: Alliant offers competitive interest rates for short-term CDs. However, our top picks have even higher interest rates with lower minimum opening deposits. 
  • American Express® CD: American Express lets you open a CD with $0, but our top picks offer more competitive interest rates right now.
  • Marcus High-Yield CD: Marcus has high-yield CDs with solid interest rates, but our top picks have more competitive rates for a 1-year CD.
  • Capital One 360 CD: Capital One 360 might be worth considering if you’d like to open a CD with a low minimum opening deposit. But, its CD rates aren’t as competitive as our top picks.
  • Citi Fixed Rate CD: Citi Fixed Rate CDs have a low $500 minimum opening deposit. Still, our top picks pay higher interest rates right now.
  • Bank5 Connect High-Yield CD: Bank5 Connect has a strong interest rate on a 6-month CDs, but its other CD terms aren’t as strong.
  • Nationwide CD: Nationwide’s 1-year CDs and 18-month CDs are its most appealing options, but other online banks offer even higher rates right now.
  • Ally High Yield CD: Ally CDs might be a good choice if you’d like to get a CD with a $0 minimum opening deposit or low early withdrawal penalties. But its CD rates are currently lower than any of the banks on our list.
  • Discover CD: The initial opening deposit for a Discover CD is $2,500. Our top picks have lower minimum opening deposits.
  • Citizens Access Online CD: You’ll need at least $5,000 to open an account, which is a bit steep compared to other online banks.
  • Amerant CD: Amerant has solid interest rates, but our top picks offer more competitive rates right now. 
  • NBKC CD: NBKC offers competitive interest rates on long-term CDs, but its short-term CDs aren’t as strong. 
  • Live Oak Bank CD: Live Oak Bank offers a competitive interest rate, but you’ll need at least $2,500 to open an account.

Bank Trustworthiness and BBB Ratings

We’ve compared each banks Better Business Bureau score. The BBB grades businesses based on factors like responses to customer complaints, honesty in advertising, and transparency about business practices. Here is each company’s score:

Credit Human received an A- rating from the BBB because it has not resolved several customer complaints.

The BBB gave CIBC Bank USA an A+ rating. However, its parent company CIBC has an F rating because the BBB has received numerous complaints and hasn’t responded to or resolved some complaints. 

Bask Bank received a B rating from the BBB because it’s received 30 customer complaints on the BBB website. However, its parent company, Texas Capital Bank, has an A+ rating from the BBB. 

Bread Savings’ partner bank has a B+ grade because the company has failed to resolve the issue behind a pattern of complaints. According to a note on the BBB website, the BBB may publish one out of every four complaints it receives as of April 23, 2023, because it has received a high volume of customer complaints.

A BBB rating isn’t necessarily the be-all and end-all. If you’d like to see if a company is a good fit, talk to current customers or read online customer reviews.

In 2021, CIBC agreed to pay $125 million in a settlement when accused of misrepresenting financial information regarding CIBC investments and US residential mortgage-backed securities. 

In 2021, a San Antonio resident filed a lawsuit against Credit Human Federal Credit Union. According to the San Antonio Express News, the Texas resident claims the credit union has unfair overdraft practices and has charged fees when it shouldn’t have. The case is currently ongoing.

In July 2021, LendingClub Corporation paid $18 million in a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission when accused of deceptive lending practices that charged consumers hidden fees and told them they were approved for a loan even when they weren’t.

Why You Should Trust Us: Expert Advice on Choosing the Best CD

To learn more about what makes a good CD and how to choose the best fit, four experts weighed in:

PFI Banking Expert Panel that includes: Tania Brown, Roger Ma, Sophia Acevedo, and Mykail James

Insider



How can you be sure you’re picking the right bank?

Tania Brown, certified financial planner at SaverLife, says the most important thing is FDIC insurance, which protects your money if the bank were to collapse. For credit unions, the equivalent is NCUA insurance. Next, she says, consider the experience you want to have with your bank: Do you want to walk in and talk to a person? Then you need a bank with a local branch. Are you fine never speaking to someone in person? Then an online bank will work for you. Do you write checks (or not)? Then you need an account that comes with checks.

Sophia Acevedo, a certified educator in personal finance and banking reporter for Personal Finance Insider, adds that it’s a good idea to include costs in your list of priorities. For instance, is there a monthly fee for the account you want? If so, what are the requirements to waive it — and can you meet them? If it’s important that you earn interest, you’ll want to choose a bank and an account that pays a higher interest rate than the average bank account.

How do you choose between all the available CD terms?

Roger Ma, certified financial planner with lifelaidout® and author of “Work Your Money, Not Your Life”, says you should start by deciding when you need the money, then looking at available rates for CDs with similar timing.

Knowing how you’ll use the money you plan to put in a CD is central to the one you choose, says Mykail James, MBA, certified financial education instructor at BoujieBudgets.com. Perhaps it’s a house fund — in that case, if you know that you want to buy a house in two years, you’ll need to make sure your CD term ends by then.

When do you use a CD instead of a high-yield savings account or money market account?

Brown says you should know two things to help make this decision: how much money you’ll be putting in, and how much you plan to interact with that money. If you’re going to need to make transactions before the term of a CD ends, you’ll have to choose a high-yield savings or money market account.

Acevedo adds that both the high-yield savings account and money market account can be good options for an emergency fund or short-term savings goals. The best savings accounts tend to offer strong interest rates, while money market accounts typically offer more access to your money, like paper checks or debit cards.

Our Methodology

Personal Finance Insider’s mission is to help smart people make the best decisions with their money. We understand that “best” is often subjective, so in addition to highlighting the clear benefits of a financial product or account — a high APY, for example — we outline the limitations, too. We spent hours comparing and contrasting the features and fine print of various products so you don’t have to.

First, we researched to find over 20 banks and credit unions that offered 1-year CDs. Then, we reviewed each institution using our CD rates methodology to find the most-well rounded banking options. For each account, we compared the minimum opening deposits, early withdrawal penalties, and interest rates. We also considered the overall banking experience at each bank by assessing customer support availability, mobile app ratings, and ethics.