In 2024, many banks and credit unions offered CDs with rates over 5.00%. Although rates are expected to decline, CDs may still be valuable for many consumers.
As Beene notes, "The recent rate cuts by the Fed have already produced small drops in the rates of CD and savings accounts at many major banks, and we're going to see that continue if interest rates drop. If you want to lock in a certain rate a CD currently provides, it would be a good idea not to wait."
CD rate forecast: 2024-2025
The Fed lowered its rate by one-quarter percentage point to a rate range of 4.25% to 4.50% after its eighth meeting of 2024 on Dec. 17-18. Projections suggest that the Fed will continue to drop its rate for the next few years, and it's unlikely that we'll see any rate increases.
From mid-2023 to September 2024, many banks offered attractive certificate of deposit (CD) rates of around 5%. But now that the Federal Reserve has been cutting rates, CD yields are dropping too. Despite lower rates, CDs remain a solid option for growing your savings.
While there aren't any financial institutions paying 7% on a CD right now, there are other banks and credit unions that pay high CD rates. Compare today's top CD and savings rates.
While longer-term CDs may tie up your funds for years, a 6-month CD allows you to access your money relatively quickly. If you suddenly need your $5,000 for an emergency or a more lucrative investment opportunity arises, you won't have to wait years to access your funds without incurring hefty penalties.
Is CD interest taxable? All types of income you earn in a taxable year must be reported to the IRS. That includes the interest on your CDs. As you earn interest on your CD even before it is fully matured, it is still considered taxable income and subject to the annual federal income tax.
One major drawback of a CD is that account holders can't easily access their money if an unanticipated need arises. They typically have to pay a penalty for early withdrawals, which can eat up interest and can even result in the loss of principal.
Key Takeaways. Cashing out a CD early will usually trigger some sort of penalty. CD early withdrawal penalties are worth incurring when you need the money for an emergency or down payment, or when rates have risen so much that you'd be better off reinvesting the funds into a more lucrative option.
If you put $500 in a CD for five years, how much would you make? This depends on the CD rate. A five-year CD at a competitive online bank could have a rate of 4.00% APY, which would earn around $108 in interest in five years. A five-year CD with a 1% rate would earn about $26.
The bottom line. In a financial climate where interest rates are likely to fall, locking in a high-rate, long-term CD can be a smart move. By depositing $10,000 into a CD now, you can take advantage of currently high rates, protect yourself against future rate cuts and enjoy significant returns on a low-risk investment ...
Should I open a CD now or wait? It might be a good idea to get a CD now, since rates are expected to drop in the future. "If they want to get in the market for a CD, now might be the better time to lock in that higher yield, so they're shielded — at least for the near term — as rates continue to drop," says Stroup.
CD rates remain at levels we haven't seen in years, and many financial institutions are offering rates of 4% to 5% or more on their long-term CDs. With a rate that high, a $10,000 investment in a 5-year CD could potentially grow to over $12,000 by the end of the term — and that's without any additional contributions.
Yes, you can get 6% on a CD now. As of January 10, 2025, the Financial Partners Credit Union is offering 6.00% APY on their CD rates for 8 months. The minimum deposit is $1,000.00, up to a $5,000 maximum. Check out the latest CD rates from over 400 banks and credit unions.
Don't give up early. Request to speak with other representatives or managers. Branch managers often have authority to negotiate. The more money that you're going to deposit, the better chance of receiving a higher rate.
Senior Citizen certificate of Deposit content
The Senior Citizen CD has the following benefits: Earn a higher interest rate above the interest rates for regular CD. Click here to view the current rates. Enjoy security through insured deposits with FDIC, up to prescribed limit per account by FDIC.
$3,000 X 12 months = $36,000 per year. $36,000 / 6% dividend yield = $600,000. On the other hand, if you're more risk-averse and prefer a portfolio yielding 2%, you'd need to invest $1.8 million to reach the $3,000 per month target: $3,000 X 12 months = $36,000 per year.
CDs, high-yield savings accounts, and money market funds are the best places to keep your cash when it comes to interest rates. And Treasury bills still offer decent yields at the lowest risk.