CD Rates Are Up in 3 Terms, While 5.00% APY Tops the List

The best CD rates are competitive for short and long terms

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September 24, 2026 8:10pm EDT

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Earn More With Your Cash

CD rates are edging up after the Fed raised its benchmark rate last week. We now have new top yields for 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year CDs, though none match the leading 4-month CD at 5.00% APY.

More rate hikes could come this year, but trying to time the market isn’t the answer. Opening multiple CDs is a smarter strategy: You can secure competitive yields today while keeping some money free for higher-paying CDs later this year or next.

Lock In a High CD Rate Now

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Stay liquid with a high-yield savings account: CDs lock in your return, but high-yield savings accounts can go up (or down) with the Fed rate. The best high-yield savings rate in the country is 4.40%, comfortably beating the 3.40% inflation rate. Pairing a HYSA with a fixed-rate CD gives you easy access to some of your savings and a guaranteed return on the rest.

1-year CDs are up to 4.50%: The best 1-year CD rate is now 4.50%, up 15 bps from August. This return is well above the national average and beats inflation by nearly a percentage point. Grab it while you can.

The CD sweet spot: If 6 months feels too short but changing rates make a long-term bet feel too risky, the best 18-month CDs offer a smart middle ground. The top APY today is 4.50%, up 50 basis points from February. Secure a premium rate now, and adjust your strategy when your CD term is over.

Lock in a new high rate for your 2028 goal: If you're saving for a goal two years out, locking in a high rate lets you set it and forget it. The top 2-year CD rate is now up to 4.47%, offering a predictable return through 2028 while keeping your savings on track.

Defend your wealth until autumn 2030: Short-term offers may grab headlines, but the best 4-year CD rates are attention-worthy too, up 20 basis points since July to 4.50%. A multi-year CD is an easy way to put your savings on autopilot and tune out the volatility of coming years.

Jumbo deposits deserve jumbo rates: If you have a large cash balance, the best jumbo CDs can secure a competitive, guaranteed return for months or years. Top rates for terms ranging from 18 months to 5 years are up in September, and with required deposits usually at $100,000, the payout with interest can be a hefty chunk of change.

Earn 4.00% with check-writing features: Get the convenience of a checking account without giving up high yields. Money market accounts let you write checks directly from your balance, and now offer up to 4.00% APY. With the central bank expected to continue to raise rates this year, the best deals are likely to stick around or even climb.

Earn even better rates with a high-interest checking account: If you already use a debit card regularly, you could earn up to 6.75% APY with the best high-interest checking accounts. These accounts have variable rates that may increase with the Fed rate, and they often outperform savings accounts and CDs, as long as you meet monthly requirements.