What is a better option than a certificate of deposit?
High-yield savings accounts, money market accounts and bonds can be good alternatives to CDs. Returns vary, but they're all considered low-risk investments. Regardless of where you keep your money, tending to your credit health is always a top priority.
High-yield savings accounts, money market accounts and bonds can be good alternatives to CDs. Returns vary, but they're all considered low-risk investments. Regardless of where you keep your money, tending to your credit health is always a top priority.
There aren't any traditional banks offering a 7% interest savings account in the U.S., but you will find some credit unions that offer checking accounts and certificates with rates near or above 7.00% APY. It's important to note that savings account rates are variable and can change at any time.
Currently, Treasuries maturing in less than a year yield about the same as a CD. Therefore, all things considered, it likely makes more sense to choose Treasuries over CDs, depending on your situation, because of the tax benefits and liquidity when considering very short-term maturities.
The Bottom Line. CDs are low-risk, low-return investments that are best suited for people looking to save money over the short term or those who want to avoid any risk. Mutual funds offer higher potential returns, along with higher risks. They're suitable for long-term investors who can ride out price fluctuations.
But when rates are low, money held in CDs won't grow as much. CDs carry interest rate risk in that it's possible to lock in savings at one rate, only to see rates climb. Unless you have a step-up or bump-up CD, you wouldn't be able to take advantage of that higher rate without opening a new certificate of deposit.
Limited Access. A CD is not a savings account, meaning you can't take out money whenever you need it. Once you've decided on a term length, you have to leave your funds untouched until the term end or maturity date.
As of February 2024, no banks are offering 7% interest rates on savings accounts. Two credit unions have high-interest checking accounts. Eligibility for these credit unions is limited according to geographic location and other narrow criteria.
Among scheduled private sector banks, DCB Bank and RBL Bank offer the best FD interest rates of up to 8.00% p.a. Among scheduled public sector banks, the highest FD rate is offered by the Punjab & Sind Bank of up to 7.40% p.a. for a tenure of 444 days.
| Term | APY | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| No Penalty CD (5 Months) | 5.36% APY | Technology Credit Union, powered by Raisin |
| 3 Month | 5.51% APY | TotalDirectBank |
| 6 Month | 5.75% APY | Andrews Federal Credit Union |
| 1 Year | 5.56% APY | Lafayette Federal Credit Union |
Why buy a treasury instead of a CD?
An investor would be better off rolling over 6-month Treasuries yielding ~5.4% than buying a 5-year CD yielding 5.4% that becomes callable starting in 6 months. Buying the 6-month Treasury would allow the investor to reinvest at a higher interest rate upon maturity if interest rates rise.
CD interest is subject to ordinary income tax, like other money that you earn. The IRS requires investors to pay taxes on CD interest income. The bank or financial institution that holds the CD is required to send you a Form 1099-INT by January 31.
Often, CDs pay higher rates for longer term lengths. Treasury bills are short-term securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, with terms that range between four and 52 weeks. They are considered a type of bond, but don't pay a coupon (interest).
Market Crashes and CDs
Even if the market crashes, your CD is still safe. Your interest rate won't change, and your money is still insured. But, keep an eye on interest rates. After your CD term ends, you might find that new CDs have lower rates if the economy is still struggling.
CDs generally have higher rates than either traditional savings or money market accounts. And some banks offer substantially higher rates. In 2023, it's not uncommon to find CDs with rates over 5.00%. The trade-off for the higher rate is that you sacrifice liquidity.
The bottom line
If you put $20,000 into a 3-year CD, you could earn more than $3,000 in interest by the end of the term, depending on the interest rate you get. And, a CD is safe and secure thanks to the insurance it comes with.
The short answer is yes. Like other bank accounts, CDs are federally insured at financial institutions that are members of a federal deposit insurance agency. If a member bank or credit union fails, you're guaranteed to receive your money back, up to $250,000, by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
| Top Nationwide Rate (APY) | Total Earnings | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 6.18% | $ 618 |
| 18 months | 5.80% | $ 887 |
| 2 year | 5.60% | $ 1,151 |
| 3 year | 5.50% | $ 1,742 |
Is a 12-Month CD Worth It? A 12-month CD can be a worthwhile investment if you're seeking guaranteed growth and are able to keep your money invested for a year. Before investing, be sure you're getting the best one-year CD rates by shopping around and comparing rates from different banks.
CDs don't have monthly fees, but most have an early withdrawal penalty and don't let you add funds after the initial deposit. Like regular savings accounts, certificates of deposit are insured, so you get your money back in the unlikely event your bank goes bankrupt.
Is it better for a CD to pay monthly or at maturity?
As you can see from the scenario above, choosing to be paid at maturity can sometimes earn you more in interest, because the higher interest rate can offset the value of compounding interest on the monthly option. Plus the longer you stow your money away, the more interest you'll earn.
The downside of CDs is that you have to keep your money in the account for a certain amount of time, called a term. CD terms can range from a few months to 10 years. If you withdraw money from the CD before the term ends, you likely will have to pay an early withdrawal penalty.
- Stocks.
- Real Estate.
- Private Credit.
- Junk Bonds.
- Index Funds.
- Buying a Business.
- High-End Art or Other Collectables.
| Bank | APY | Min. deposit to open |
|---|---|---|
| DollarSavingsDirect | 5.00% | $0 |
| CommunityWide Federal Credit Union | 5.00% | $1 |
| Laurel Road | 5.00% | $0 |
| Varo Bank | 3.00% to 5.00% | $0 |
Multiple banks offer 5% on a savings account, such as Varo Bank and CIT Bank. Investing platforms like Betterment and Wealthfront also have 5% savings accounts for new customers.
