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19 Best 18-Month CD Rates for July 2024 (Up to 5.25%)

The best 18-month CD rate is 5.25% APY from DR Bank. The minimum deposit requirement to open this 15-month CD is $500. CD rates are near historic highs, with the top 18-month CD rates ranging from 5.00% to 5.25% APY.

To find you the best CD rates nationwide, we review CD rates from hundreds of banks and credit unions every weekday morning. We've been tracking 18-month CD rates since 2019, and the top CD rates in our rankings typically pay three to five times as much as the national average—or even more.

Below are the top CD rates available from our partners, followed by the best 18-month CD rates we've found from our research that are available to U.S. customers everywhere.

In the News

The Fed held rates steady for a seventh consecutive time at its June 12 meeting. The federal funds rate is at its highest level since 2001, but Fed officials are projecting one or possibly two rate cuts before the end of the year. CD yields closely follow the fed funds rate. Back in October, CD rates reached peaks not seen in more than 20 years, but once the Fed starts cutting rates, CD rates will fall.

Where more than one institution pays the same top rate, our rankings prioritize CDs by the shortest term, then the CD requiring the smallest minimum deposit. If there is still a tie, we then rank alphabetically by institution name.

Best 18-Month CD Rates

Tip

The annual percentage yield (APY) is the interest rate earned on an investment in one year, including compounding interest. A higher APY is better as your return will be higher.

Detailed information on these top-paying nationally available 18-month CDs is provided below, including specifics about minimum deposits and early withdrawal penalties. For credit union CDs, information is also provided on how to easily join the credit unions offering them.

Why You Can Trust Our Expert Recommendations for the Best 18-Month CD Rates

Investopedia collects thousands of CD rates from hundreds of banks and credit unions every weekday. When ranking CD rates, we look at factors like term, early withdrawal penalty, and minimum opening deposit. We also research banks and credit unions to provide unbiased, comprehensive reviews to ensure our readers make the right decisions for their needs.

Investopedia launched in 1999 and has been helping readers find the best CD rates since 2019. Back when we first started tracking 18-month CD rates, the top interest rate on an 18-month CD was 2.70% APY. By October 2023, the top 18-month CD rate was 6.00%—over two times what it was four years earlier. While CD rates have fallen since then, they remain high in 2024.

The CDs we recommend must be available nationwide and these certificates typically pay three to five times as much as the national average—or even more. To be eligible for our rankings, each CD's minimum opening deposit requirement cannot exceed $25,000 and must be offered by an FDIC-insured bank or NCUA-insured credit union (which covers up to $250,000 per depositor).

DR Bank – 5.25% APY

  • Term (months): 15
  • Minimum deposit: $500
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
  • Overview: DR Bank was founded in 2006 in Connecticut, where it still operates two branches. Accounts are available nationally through digital banking.

FedChoice Federal Credit Union – 5.15% APY

  • Term (months): 15
  • Minimum deposit: $500
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 3 months of interest
  • Overview: Anyone is eligible for membership by allowing FedChoice to make a donation on their behalf to the FedChoice Charitable Foundation and keeping a minimum balance of $5 in a savings account. Headquartered in Lanham, Maryland, FedChoice originally was established in 1935 to serve employees of the IRS.

NASA Federal Credit Union – 5.15% APY

  • Term (months): 15
  • Minimum deposit: $10,000
  • Early-withdrawal penalty: All earned interest up to 6 months
  • Overview: Anyone can join NASA FCU by signing up for a free membership in the National Space Society and holding $5 or more in a savings account. NASA FCU was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Maryland.

Credit Human – 5.10% APY

  • Term (months): 18–23
  • Minimum deposit: $500
  • Early-withdrawal penalty: 9 months of interest ($50 minimum)
  • Overview: Anyone can join Credit Human by agreeing to a complimentary membership in the nonprofit American Consumer Council and keeping at least $5 in a member savings account. The credit union is headquartered in San Antonio and dates back to 1935.

MYSB Direct – 5.10% APY

  • Term (months): 18
  • Minimum deposit: $500
  • Early-withdrawal penalty: All earned interest (3 months minimum)
  • About: MYSB Direct is the online banking arm of M.Y. Safra Bank, which is headquartered in New York City and operates a single branch there.

Soarion Credit Union – 5.05% APY

  • Term (months): 18
  • Minimum deposit: $1,000
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 50% of interest
  • Overview: Headquartered in San Antonio, Soarion was established in 1952 as Lackland Federal Credit Union. Anyone nationwide is eligible for membership by joining the Dream Educational Foundation for $10.

The Federal Savings Bank – 5.05% APY

  • Term (months): 18
  • Minimum deposit: $5,000
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
  • Overview: The Federal Savings Bank is a national bank with a network of over 55,000 ATMs across the U.S. It offers checking and savings accounts, as well as mortgages and loans.

Northern Bank Direct – 5.00% APY

  • Term (months): 15
  • Minimum deposit: $500
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 12 months of interest
  • Overview: Northern Bank Direct is the online division of Northern Bank. FDIC-insured since 1960, Northern Bank is headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts.

Technology Credit Union – 5.00% APY

  • Term (months): 15
  • Minimum deposit: $1,000
  • Early-withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
  • Overview: Membership in the credit union is available to anyone who joins the Financial Fitness Association for $8, or one of several other affiliated organizations. Chartered in 1960, Technology Credit Union is headquartered in San Jose, California.

Connexus Credit Union – 5.00% APY

  • Term (months): 15
  • Minimum deposit: $5,000
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
  • Overview: Anyone can join the credit union by donating $5 to the Connexus Association and holding $5 or more in a savings account. Headquartered in Wasau, Wisconsin, Connexus was established in 1935.

CFG Bank – 5.00% APY

  • Term (months): 18
  • Minimum deposit: $500
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
  • Overview: Headquartered in Baltimore with two brick-and-mortar branches in that area, CFG offers select banking products online to customers throughout the country. It dates back to 1927.

Bask Bank – 5.00% APY

  • Term (months): 18
  • Minimum deposit: $1,000
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
  • Overview: Bask Bank is a division of FDIC-insured Texas Capital Bank, headquartered in Dallas. As an online-only bank, Bask has no physical branches.

Seattle Bank – 5.00% APY

  • Term (months): 18
  • Minimum deposit: $1,000
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
  • Overview: Seattle Bank began as a mortgage company in the 1940s. It serves online customers across the country and operates a branch in downtown Seattle, Washington.

CommunityWide Federal Credit Union – 5.00% APY

  • Term (months): 18
  • Minimum deposit: $1,000
  • Early withdrawal penalty: Complex formula; refer to disclosures and exercise caution.
  • Overview: Anyone can join CommunityWide by donating $15 to the credit union's local chapter of the Marine Corps, as well as keeping $5 or more in a savings account. CommunityWide was founded in 1967, and now operates in Michigan and Indiana.

Newtek Bank – 5.00% APY

  • Term (months): 18
  • Minimum deposit: $2,500
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
  • Overview: Newtek Bank is a subsidiary of Newtek One (NASDAQ: NEWT), a financial company that dates back to 2000. Newtek Bank is headquartered in Miami.

LendingClub – 5.00% APY

  • Term (months): 18
  • Minimum deposit: $2,500
  • Early withdrawal penalty: All interest earned on amount withdrawn
  • Overview: LendingClub began operations as an online full-spectrum bank in 2007, with the parent company, LendingClub Bank, being an FDIC member since 1987. It is headquartered in San Francisco.

My eBanc – 5.00% APY

  • Term (months): 18
  • Minimum deposit: $5,000
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
  • Overview: My eBanc is an online banking arm of the brick-and-mortar institution BAC Florida Bank, established in 1973.

West Town Bank & Trust – 5.00% APY

  • Term (months): 18
  • Minimum deposit: $10,000
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 3 months of interest
  • Overview: Founded in 1922 and based in North Riverside, Illinois, West Town Bank & Trust also operates out of Raleigh, North Carolina. West Town Bank & Trust does not offer online account opening, but CD accounts are available nationwide and can be opened by phone.

Synchrony Bank – 5.00% APY

  • Term (months): 19
  • Minimum deposit: Any amount
  • Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
  • Overview: In addition to being the largest U.S. provider of private-label credit cards, Synchrony Bank is an online-only bank offering consumer deposit accounts. Synchrony Bank was founded in 1932 and its headquarters are in Connecticut.

What Is an 18-Month CD and How Does It Work?

Certificates of deposit (CDs) are fixed-interest accounts where you can deposit your money and then withdraw it later. You can get a CD from a bank or credit union. An 18-month CD requires you to keep the funds untouched for about a year and a half. For our rankings, we consider 18-month CDs to be anything with a term of 15 to 20 months.

In exchange for giving up access to your funds, you'll generally be rewarded with a higher interest rate than the bank pays on savings and money market accounts that allow flexible withdrawals.

When opening a CD, you deposit a lump sum of funds into the account at or above the minimum required deposit for that CD. The funds will then sit in the account for 18 months, earning interest along the way. When the CD hits its maturity date, you can take the funds plus their earned interest out of the account with no penalty.

Fast Fact

When asked in June what they would invest in if they had an extra $10,000, 9% of Investopedia readers said they would open a CD. Back in December and January, 11% and 9% of readers (respectively) said they’d invest extra funds in CDs. With that share dipping even further to 8% in March. That increased to 12% in April and is now back down. While CDs sit below individual stocks as the top response (at 23%), CDs are always a good option for those looking for safer investments.

Pros and Cons of 18-Month CDs

Pros

  • Offers a guaranteed rate for 18 months: No matter what happens with the Federal Reserve and interest rates, the bank cannot change the APY you secure when you sign your CD agreement and make your deposit.
  • May pay a higher APY than other terms: Shopping around is critical, as rates can vary widely across institutions and also across different CD lengths.
  • Pays reliable and predictable earnings: Because your CD rate is fixed and your term is known, you can calculate exactly how much your earnings will amount to once the CD matures.
  • Is safe and virtually risk-free: CDs opened at an FDIC bank or NCUA credit union are federally insured, protecting up to $250,000 of your deposits in the unlikely event that the institution fails.
  • Can deter the temptation to spend since funds are tied up: Withdrawing your funds before the CD matures will trigger an early withdrawal penalty, which may be enough to stop you from pulling the funds out for unplanned spending.

Cons

  • Incurs a penalty if you withdraw early: Every bank and credit union specifies their policy on how they'll calculate your penalty if you don't keep your CD funds deposited until maturity. Typically, the penalty is a number of months' interest that you'll forfeit.
  • Allows only one deposit amount: With most CDs, you get one chance to decide how much you want to invest in the certificate. Additional deposits are generally not allowed.
  • If rates fall, you may wish you'd opted for a longer term: Investing in a longer CD would have allowed you to retain a good rate for a longer period of time
  • If rates rise, you'll be locked at a lower rate until maturity: If you lock into an 18-month CD and then rates rise, you'll be stuck with your current rate until you can withdraw your funds.

Important

Though consumers tend to think about CD maturity terms in nice round numbers, be sure to consider odd-term CDs, such as 15-month, 18-month, or 21-month certificates. It's not uncommon for promotional rate CDs to have unusual durations, so don't limit yourself to only the conventional terms.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a CD

When choosing a CD, consider the following factors:

  • Your goals: Both short-term financial goals and long-term financial goals are important.
  • How much money you can deposit: CDs have minimums, so if you only have $500 to deposit, you'll need to find a CD with that minimum balance requirement.
  • How long you can leave that money in the CD without touching it: This will help you determine the right term—whether that's a 1-year CD or a 3-year CD.
  • Interest rates offered for your term and minimum deposit: The higher the rate, the more you will earn on your deposit during the CD term.
  • CD type: Is it a bump-up CD or a regular CD? This will ensure you're choosing one that meets your needs and goals.

Once you choose a CD, open the account, and deposit your money to start earning interest.

Hilarey Gould, Senior Editorial Director for Financial Products and Services at Investopedia

When choosing an 18-month CD, be sure to review the early withdrawal penalty. If you think you might need to withdraw your money before the CD matures, look for a CD with a lower penalty so that you end up with the most money possible when you withdraw. If you are positive that you won't touch the money in the CD until maturity, you may feel comfortable opening a CD with a more expensive penalty.

18-Month CD Penalties and Fees

Almost all CDs—not just 18-month CDs—come with an early withdrawal penalty. That means that if you decide to take your money out of the CD before the date the CD matures, you have to pay some sort of fee. The fee is typically in the form of interest you have earned, such as three or six months' worth of interest.

For example, let's say you deposited $1,000 in an 18-month CD with a 5.00% APY. The total interest you would earn by keeping it in the CD for 18 months is $75.93. If the CD comes with an early withdrawal penalty worth six months of interest, then you would have to pay $25.31 if you decided to take your money out early.

Other than the early withdrawal penalty, CDs don't typically come with any other fees (though the banking institution may require some).

How to Find the Best 18-Month CD Rates

This list includes the best 18-month CD rates, meaning that they are the highest 18-month CD rates nationwide. To find you the top 18-month CD rates, we look at hundreds of banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions every day and gather the CDs with the highest rates that are available nationwide, including CDs with terms of 15 to 20 months.

When looking for an 18-month CD, consider the amount of money you want to deposit, the interest rate on the CD, and the early withdrawal penalty. For example, if a 20-month CD offers a 5.00% interest rate on a $25,000 deposit, but a 12-month withdrawal penalty, you may want to compare it with a 15-month CD with the same deposit but a six-month withdrawal penalty.

This comparison is important to think about because if you need that money back sooner than maturity, you need to know what amount of interest you'll lose by withdrawing early. With that in mind, you'll need to first compare your options based on your deposit amount, then look at the rate and early withdrawal penalty.

Note

CD rates are the same for everyone who applies to open a CD. Your credit score and other financial history and experience are not determining factors like they are with credit cards or loans. So even if you have bad credit, you can earn a high interest rate on your savings by locking it up in a CD for a period of time.

How to Open an 18-Month CD

After you find the right CD for you, you'll need to apply to open the account. This may be easy if you're already a member of the bank or credit union. If you're not, you may need to open another savings account first, or apply to be a member of the credit union by joining another free or low-cost organization (the American Consumer Council is a popular one).

To open an 18-month CD, follow these steps:

  1. Find the CD you want to open, whether online or in-person at the bank or credit union.
  2. Have a current membership or relationship with the bank or credit union via an open account like a savings or a checking account, and/or through a non-profit organization (typically only applies to credit unions).
  3. Fill out the application with your name, deposit amount, and other personal info.
  4. Wait for approval.
  5. Fund the CD and let your money earn interest. You may be able to send a check, wire the money, or electronically transfer it, depending on the institution.
  6. Read the CD's terms. This fine print info will tell you the interest rate you'll be paid, the date of the CD's maturity, how often your interest will be paid and compounded, and the early withdrawal penalty (if any) that you need to pay if you request to withdraw your money before maturity.

Once your 18-month CD is opened, it's a set-it-and-forget-it process to earn your interest. There are just two times when you may need to take action:

  • When you need your money back before maturity: You'll likely pay an early withdrawal penalty and will need to withdraw the funds before transferring them into another account. Then the CD will be closed.
  • When your CD matures: You may need to indicate if you want the CD to roll over into another CD at the institution or if you want the money withdrawn and deposited back into your other account.

Compare the Best 18-Month CD Rates

Institution Rate (APY) Term Minimum Deposit Early Withdrawal Penalty
DR Bank 5.25% 15 months $500 6 months of interest
FedChoice Federal Credit Union 5.15% 15 months $500 4 months of interest
NASA Federal Credit Union 5.15% 15 months $10,000 All earned interest up to 6 months
Credit Human 5.10% 18–23 months $500 9 months of interest ($50 minimum)
MYSB Direct 5.10% 18 months $500 All earned interest (3 months minimum)
Soarion Credit Union 5.05% 18 months $1,000 50% of interest
The Federal Savings Bank 5.05% 18 months $5,000 6 months of interest
Northern Bank Direct 5.00% 15 months $500 12 months of interest
Technology Credit Union 5.00% 15 months $1,000 6 months of interest
Connexus Credit Union 5.00% 15 months $5,000 6 months of interest
CFG Bank 5.00% 18 months $500 6 months of interest
Bask Bank 5.00% 18 months $1,000 6 months of interest
Seattle Bank 5.00% 18 months $1,000 6 months of interest
CommunityWide Federal Credit Union 5.00% 18 months $1,000 Complex formula; exercise caution
Newtek Bank 5.00% 18 months $2,500 6 months of interest
LendingClub 5.00% 18 months $2,500 All interest earned on amount withdrawn
My eBanc 5.00% 18 months $5,000 6 months of interest
West Town Bank & Trust 5.00% 18 months $10,000 3 months of interest
Synchrony Bank 5.00% 19 months Any amount 6 months of interest

Alternatives to 18-Month CDs

18-Month CDs vs. Other CD Terms

Anytime you're choosing a CD, a decision on the length of term is one of the most critical considerations. You'll want to select a term that you feel reasonably confident you can stick with so that you won't incur a penalty for withdrawing early.

Instead of an 18-month CD, you could choose a shorter certificate to limit the amount of time your funds are tied up, but you may have to settle for a slightly lower rate. The same is true if you go with a longer-term CD: rates could be lower than what you can earn on 18 months. It all depends on the current rate environment, so it's important that you shop around.

For example, if rates are higher now than you think they will be in the future, locking in one of today's rates for as long as possible can be a smart move, so that you'll retain your APY for a longer period than if you chose a shorter-term CD.

CDs vs. Savings and Money Market Accounts

Instead of locking up your money in an 18-month CD, you can instead keep it in one of several types of liquid accounts. Keeping it in a checking account is one option, providing ultimate convenience and flexibility. But since checking accounts generally pay zero interest, it's a poor choice for your savings.

Opening a top-paying high-yield savings account or a money market account is a better option, enabling you to earn a competitive return on your funds. The downside compared to a CD, however, is that savings and money market accounts pay a variable rate, which means that if interest rates go down in the future, so will the rate you're earning in these accounts.

The same is true for cash reserve and money market funds at brokerage firms. Many of these pay much lower rates than you can earn with a high-yield savings account at a top-paying bank. But even when the APY on a brokerage cash account is competitive, it too is a variable rate that you can't lock in like you can with a CD.

CDs vs. US Savings Bonds & Treasuries

You could alternatively put your funds in U.S. savings bonds or Treasuries. The U.S. government offers two types of savings bonds: EE bonds and I bonds. EE bonds offer a fixed interest rate that you'll know at the time of making your deposit decision, while I bonds offer a rate that changes every six months based on current inflation levels (hence, the name I bonds). These investments are exceptionally safe, but they do not allow a withdrawal within the first 12 months for any reason.

You can also lend money to the U.S. government by purchasing Treasury bonds. These are called T-bills for durations of four weeks to one year, and Treasury notes for durations of two to 10 years. Treasuries are considered one of the safest investments in the world, but their rates are not always as high as the best CDs or high-yield savings accounts.

Where Are CD Rates Headed in 2024?

CD rates closely follow the fed funds rate, which the Federal Reserve held steady at its most recent meeting on June 11-12. With the fed funds rate stagnant, CD rates are also marching in place. There is very little chance that the Fed will raise rates in 2024. If anything, the Fed will be more likely to lower rates, but that may only happen if and when inflation is under control. In May, the inflation rate was 3.3%, down from April.

The Fed's next rate policy meeting is in July, but it's unlikely much will happen at that time. Fed funds futures traders are continually placing bets, which you can see with the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool. On June 27, the CME showed that most traders predicted the first rate cut would not happen until September.

There's a chance the Fed could cut interest rates this year, but no one can know for sure. Rather than waiting to see if the Fed cuts rates, lock in a high CD rate now.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What Are the Best CD Rates for 18 Months?

    The best CD rates for an 18-month term will be anything over 5.00%. The best 18-month CD will come with a high rate, low early withdrawal penalty, and low minimum deposit required. Most of the top 18-month CDs have an early withdrawal penalty of three to six months and a minimum deposit of $500 or more.

  • Is an 18-Month CD a Good Investment?

    Right now, an 18-month CD is a good investment because you can earn a high rate on an 18-month CD. Once you open that CD, you are guaranteed that rate until the CD matures (as long as you do not withdraw the money early). Considering the Fed is watching inflation and interest rates closely, there's a change it could cut the fed funds rate in the next 18 months. That would mean that CD rates would also fall in the future. So locking in an 18-month CD now can help you get the highest rate possible before any rates fall.

  • Do 18-Month CDs Beat Inflation?

    An 18-month CD can help you hedge against high inflation because the rate you can earn may be more than the inflation rate. For example, in May 2024, the inflation rate was 3.3%. At that same time, 18-month CD rates paid over 5.00%. You can earn more on your savings with an 18-month CD to help combat the additional costs you'll incur, thanks to inflation.

  • When Is an 18-Month CD a Good Choice?

    An 18-month CD is a suitable option for money you won't need in the coming year or longer. For those with a specific plan for the money, such as a down payment on a house or paying college tuition bills for a child, an 18-month CD might provide just the time frame you need to keep funds safe and reliably earning interest.

    Another appeal of 18-month CDs is to provide one rung of a shortened CD ladder. A CD ladder is a strategy for investing your funds in five CDs of differing terms rather than all at once. For a yearly ladder, you would own a 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 4-year, and 5-year CD. But you can also create a shorter ladder, with six-month increments between the CDs (e.g., 6-month, 12-month, 18-month, etc.).

  • Are Online Bank CDs Safe?

    Many of the highest deposit rates, whether for CDs, savings accounts, or money market accounts, are offered by online banks. Some of these are online-only banks, meaning they operate solely on the Internet, while others are brick-and-mortar banks with a separate online banking arm. Sometimes the online operations of physical banks even have an entirely different name and brand identity.

    Though you may feel nervous depositing your funds into an Internet bank instead of at a physical branch, online accounts and institutions are just as safe as their more traditional counterparts. That's because FDIC insurance doesn't discriminate—the $250,000 in deposit insurance it provides consumers in case of bank failure applies equally to online and brick-and-mortar banks.

  • Why Do Shorter CDs Sometimes Pay More Than Longer CDs?

    Generally speaking, the shorter the CD term, the lower the interest rate paid by the bank, and vice versa. That's because the bank recognizes you need to be rewarded more substantially the longer you're being asked to leave the money on deposit.

    However, not all institutions use a perfectly linear scale of interest rates that increase with the CD terms. A common strategy is offering one or more promotional CDs that pay a significantly higher interest rate to entice customers to the institution. To limit how long the bank is paying the boosted rate, promotional CDs are often shorter in duration, such as less than two years.

    Another factor is that banks and credit unions decide their CD yields based on where they think the federal funds rate will be in the future. So when it's expected that future interest rates will be lower than today's rates, it's common to see short- or mid-term CDs paying the best rates.

  • How Do You Build a CD Ladder?

    A CD ladder enables you to access the higher rates typically offered on 5-year CDs, but with the twist that a portion of your money becomes available every year, rather than every five years. Here's how to do it.

    1. Take the amount of money you want to invest in CDs and divide it by five.
    2. Put one-fifth of the funds into a top-earning 1-year CD, another fifth into a top 2-year CD, another into a 3-year CD, and so forth through a 5-year CD. Let’s say you have $25,000 available. That would give you five CDs of varying lengths, each with a value of $5,000.
    3. When the first CD matures in a year, you take the resulting funds and open a top-rate 5-year CD.
    4. One year later, your initial 2-year CD will mature, and you'll invest those funds into another 5-year CD.
    5. Continue doing this every year with whichever CD is maturing until you end up with a portfolio of five CDs all earning 5-year APYs, but with one of them maturing every 12 months, keeping your money a bit more accessible than if all of it were locked up for a full five years.
  • Can You Lose Money in a CD?

    You can't lose your principal when you deposit it in a CD. But you can lose out on interest in the CD if you withdraw it early. Most CDs come with an early withdrawal penalty (but not all CDs have penalties) so if you take your money out of the account before the term is up, you may pay a price. CDs are federally insured though, so if you're worried about losing money in a CD due to a bank failure, you can rest assured that your money is backed by the FDIC or NCUA up to $250,000 per institution.

  • Financial Institutions We Reviewed

    We researched and reviewed over 250 banks, credit unions, and financial institutions to find the best CD rates you see above on this list. While we write individual reviews for most, we do not always write reviews for those we would not recommend. Below are the banks, credit unions, and financial institutions we researched along with links to individual company reviews to help you learn more before making a decision:

    1st Source Bank, 5star Bank, ableBanking, Abound Credit Union, Achieva Credit Union, Affinity Federal Credit Union, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, Air Force Federal Credit Union, Alabama Credit Union, Allegacy Federal Credit Union, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amerant Bank, American 1 Credit Union, American Express, American Heritage Credit Union, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Apple Federal Credit Union, Banco do Brasil Americas, Banesco USA, Bank of Baroda, Bank5 Connect, Bank7, Texas Capital Bank, bankESB (Easthampton Savings Bank), BankUnitedDirect, Barclays, BBVA Bank, Bellco Credit Union, Blue Federal Credit Union, BMO, BMO Alto, BrioDirect, Cadets Federal Credit Union, California Coast Credit Union, Capital One, Capitol Federal Savings Bank, CD Bank, CFG Bank, Chase Bank, Chevron Federal Credit Union, CIBC (Agility Banking), CIT BankCitibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Trust Bank, Colorado Federal Savings Bank, Bread Savings, Communitywide Federal Credit Union, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Corporate America Federal Credit Union (CAFCU), Credit Union of Denver, Credit Union of the Rockies, Digital, Federal Credit Union, Discover Bank, DollarSavingsDirect, Dover Federal Credit Union, Dow Credit Union, Evergreen Bank Group, RocklandTrust Bank, Elements Financial, EmigrantDirect.com, Liberty Federal Credit Union, Fidelity Investments, Financial Partners Credit Union, Financial Resources Federal Credit Union, First Financial Credit Union, First Financial Northwest Bank, First Internet Bank, First National Bank of America, First Technology Federal Credit Union, Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union, Garden Savings Federal Credit Union, Georgia Banking Company, Georgia's Own Credit Union, GreenState Credit Union, Greenwood Credit Union, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, GTE Financial, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company, Hanscom Federal Credit Union, Heritage Bank, Hiway Federal Credit Union, Home Loan Investment Bank, Home Savings Bank, Hope Credit Union, HSBC Direct, Hughes Federal Credit Union, Hyperion Bank, Ideal Credit Union, iGObanking, Interior Federal Credit Union, Justice Federal Credit Union, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, KS State Bank, La Capitol Federal Credit Union, Lafayette Federal Credit Union, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Langley Federal Credit Union, Latino Community Credit Union, Limelight Bank, Live Oak Bank, Luther Burbank Savings, MYSB Direct, MAC Federal Credit Union, Main Street Bank, MainStreet Bank, MapleMark Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Market USA Federal Credit Union, Matadors Community Credit Union, MECU Credit Union, Merrick Bank, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, Mills42 Federal Credit Union, Mountain America Credit Union, MTC Federal Credit Union, MutualOne Bank, My Banking Direct, My eBanc, My Savings Direct, NASA Federal Credit Union, Nationwide by Axos BankNavy Federal Credit Union, nbkc, NexBank, North Country Savings Bank, Northern Bank Direct, Northfield Bank, Northpointe Bank, Nuvision Federal Credit Union, Oklahoma Central Credit Union, One American Bank, OneUnited Bank, Pacific National Bank, Paramount Bank, PARDA Federal Credit Union, Partner Colorado Credit Union, Patelco Credit Union, Pen Air Federal Credit Union, PenFed Credit Union, People's Credit Union, First Service Credit Union, Pinnacle Federal Credit Union, Popular Direct, Premier America Credit Union, Presidential Bank, FSB, Prime Alliance Bank, PSECU (Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union), Quontic Bank, Quorum Federal Credit Union, Rising Bank, Merrimack Valley Credit Union, Salal Credit Union, Sallie Mae Bank, Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union, Signature Federal Credit Union, Spectrum Credit Union, SRP Federal Credit Union, State Bank of India Chicago, State Bank of India New York, State Bank of Texas, State Department Federal Credit Union, Summit Credit Union, Sun East Federal Credit Union, Superior Choice Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, Teachers Federal Credit Union, Technology Credit Union, The Federal Savings Bank, Third Federal Savings & LoanEverBank, TotalDirectBank, Transportation Federal Credit Union, TruStone Financial Credit Union, UNIFY Financial Credit Union, Expedition Credit Union, United States Senate Federal Credit Union, United Texas Bank, University Federal Credit Union, US Bank, USAlliance Financial, USPS Federal Credit Union, Velocity Credit Union, VeraBank, Vio Bank, Virtual Bank, WebBank, Webster Bank, Wells Fargo, Western Vista Credit Union, Wings Financial Credit Union, XCEL Federal Credit Union, BankPurely, Umbrella Bank, giantbank.com, CapEd Credit Union, Zeal Credit Union, Finworth, Coastal1 Credit Union, Service Credit Union, National Cooperative Bank, Premier Members Credit Union, Bank of America, Flagstar Bank, 1st MidAmerica Credit Union, INOVA Federal Credit Union, Genisys Credit Union, Ivy Bank, Heartland Credit Union, Luana Savings Bank, Spectra Credit Union, Workers Credit Union, Credit Human, EFCU Financial, Poppy Bank, Credit One Bank, Vibrant Credit Union, CFBank, Department of Commerce Federal Credit Union, Seattle Bank, Crescent Bank, Pima Federal Credit Union, Cross River Bank, USAA, Great River Federal Credit Union, Brilliant Bank, Merchants Bank of Indiana, LendingClub, Chartway Credit Union, First Central Savings Bank, AgFed Credit Union, North American Savings Bank, Pelican State Credit Union, First Community Credit Union, Bask Bank, Skyla Credit Union, SkyOne Federal Credit Union, 3Rivers Federal Credit Union, Utah First Credit Union, Pasadena Federal Credit Union, Magnifi Financial, AloStar, Primis Bank, Farmers Insurance Federal Credit Union, Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union, Veridian Credit Union, Republic Bank, Salem Five Direct, All In Credit Union, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Federal Credit Union, Forbright Bank, Jovia Financial Credit Union, Sun Canyon Bank, Fortera Credit Union, Partners 1st Federal Credit Union, SouthEast Bank, American Bank, Newtek Bank, CBC Federal Credit Union, Vanguard, All America Bank, Amalgamated Bank, Citizens State Bank, AmBoy Direct, Republic Bank of Chicago, Oklahoma Community Credit Union, BluPeak Credit Union, Valley Direct, Bayer Heritage Federal Credit Union, First Harvest Credit Union, Orion Federal Credit Union, Wellby Financial, FedChoice Federal Credit Union, CoVantage Credit Union, Choice First Bank, Sandia Area Federal Credit Union, OMB Bank, Minnequa Works Credit Union, Securityplus Federal Credit Union, Bank of South Texas, T Bank.

How We Find the Best 18-Month CD Rates

Every business day, Investopedia tracks the rate data of more than 200 banks and credit unions that offer CDs to customers nationwide, and determines daily rankings of the top-paying certificates in every major term. To qualify for our lists, the institution must be federally insured (FDIC for banks, NCUA for credit unions), the CD's minimum initial deposit must not exceed $25,000, and any specified maximum deposit cannot be under $5,000.

Banks must be available in at least 40 states. And while some credit unions require you to donate to a specific charity or association to become a member if you don't meet other eligibility criteria (e.g., you don't live in a certain area or work in a certain kind of job), we exclude credit unions whose donation requirement is $40 or more. For more about how we choose the best rates, read our full methodology.

Your Guide to CDs

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Investopedia / Alice Morgan

Article Sources
Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.
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