What is certificate of deposit in simple words?

Asked by: Mr. Devan Williamson  |  Last update: November 16, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (66 votes)

What are certificates of deposit? A certificate of deposit (CD) is a savings account that holds a fixed amount of money for a fixed period of time, such as six months, one year, or five years, and in exchange, the issuing bank pays interest.

What is a simple example of certificate of deposit?

Certificate of Deposit Example

Now consider a depositor depositing an amount of ₹1,00,000 for one year in a CD carrying an annual interest of 6%. Now at the time of maturity, the interest amount will be ₹6,000 and total amount will be ₹1,06,000.

What is certificate of deposit simple?

A certificate of deposit, or CD, is a type of savings account offered by banks and credit unions. You generally agree to keep your money in the CD without taking a withdrawal for a specified length of time. Withdrawing money early means paying a penalty fee to the bank.

How much does a $1000 CD make in a year?

A $1,000 CD deposit makes $50 of interest in a year if the account pays 5% APY. The CD's total balance would be $1,050 at maturity.

What is the disadvantage of a CD account?

The cons of CDs

With CDs, you typically can't withdraw the money whenever you want—at least not without paying a penalty. Another disadvantage is that CD interest rates can sometimes struggle to keep up with inflation. When inflation rises, the value of your dollar goes down.

What To Do With Extra Money In The Bank?

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Can CD accounts lose money?

Key Takeaways

CDs insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) for up to $250,000 cannot lose money even if the bank fails. However, some CDs that are not FDIC-insured may carry greater risk, and risks may come from rising inflation or interest rates.

How much will a $500 CD make in 5 years?

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.

Do you have to pay taxes on a CD?

Interest earned on CDs is considered taxable income by the IRS , regardless of whether the money is received in cash or reinvested. Interest earned on CDs with terms longer than one year must be reported and taxed every year, even if the CD cannot be cashed in until maturity.

What is the best 12 month CD rate right now?

Best 1-Year CD Rates
  • Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union – 4.50% APY.
  • Credit Human – 4.50% APY.
  • Securityplus Federal Credit Union – 4.50% APY.
  • Popular Direct – 4.50% APY.
  • TotalBank – 4.50% APY.
  • Vibrant Credit Union – 4.50% APY.
  • Dow Credit Union – 4.50% APY.
  • Prime Alliance Bank – 4.45% APY.

What happens if you put $20,000 in a CD for 5 years?

How much interest would you earn? If you put $20,000 into a 5-year CD with an interest rate of 4.60%, you'd end the 5-year CD term with $5,043.12 in interest, for a total balance of $25,043.12.

What is the safest investment with the highest return?

Here are some ways investors can take less risk but still generate a decent return:
  • High-yield savings accounts.
  • Money market funds.
  • Certificates of deposit (CDs).
  • Corporate bonds.
  • Treasurys.
  • Dividend stocks.
  • Preferred shares.

Why would you buy a certificate of deposit?

No Market Risk

Unlike investments in the stock market, CDs are immune to market fluctuations, ensuring your principal remains safe. This means your investment won't lose value due to market fluctuations or economic downturns. The principal amount you deposited is protected, and the interest you earn is guaranteed.

Can you pay bills directly from a certificate of deposit?

Checks: CDs do not have check-writing capabilities. They are not designed for everyday transactions or payments. Bill Payments: Since you cannot directly access the funds, you cannot use a CD to pay bills or make transactions like you would with a checking account or savings account.

What are the risks of Certificate of Deposit?

The maturity date should be clearly stated, as should any penalties for the “early withdrawal” of the money in the CD. The risk with CDs is the risk that inflation will grow faster than your money, and lower your real returns over time.

How does a CD work for dummies?

Think of a CD as a higher-commitment savings account, held at a bank, with a fixed interest rate. You agree not to touch your deposit for a specific period, in exchange typically for a higher return than a standard savings account.

Where can I get 7% interest on my money?

There are two high-yield checking accounts with interest of at least 7%, though: BCU PowerPlus Checking and Landmark Credit Union Premium Checking Account. Both come with major downsides, though. Are 7% interest savings accounts safe?

What is the biggest negative of putting your money in a CD?

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.

Can CDs be inherited?

You may choose one beneficiary for the whole CD amount or multiple beneficiaries and determine percentages. For instance, you could name three people to inherit a CD, each inheriting a 33% share of the balance. Beneficiaries can be family members or even organizations you want to support.

How to avoid paying taxes on interest income?

Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or Roth 401(k): Interest earned in a Roth account is not taxed until it is withdrawn. And, if you are older than age 59 ½, you will owe no income taxes at all on the interest. However, early withdrawals before age 59 ½ incur a 10% penalty in addition to any income tax due.

What happens after a CD matures?

Once the CD matures, you may have a grace period, established by the bank, to decide whether to renew the CD or withdraw the funds. The bank will pay interest, if any, once the CD matures in accordance with your account agreement and bank policy during the grace period.

What if I put $20,000 in a CD for 5 years?

Here's how much money you stand to earn: $20,000 at 4.5% APY: $4,923.64 in interest (for a total of $24,923.64 after five years) $20,000 at 4.55% APY: $4,983.32 in interest (for a total of $24,983.32 after five years) $20,000 at 4.60% APY: $5,043.12 in interest (for a total of $25,043.12 after five years)

How to avoid tax on CD interest?

Like IRAs and 529 plans, there are a variety of investments you can buy within an HSA, and your options depend on the financial institution that holds your account. If you invest in CDs within your HSA, you can avoid paying taxes on the interest, provided you use distributions to pay for qualifying expenses.

Why should you put $5000 in a 6-month CD now?

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.