Best CD Rates of 2026
We reviewed 26 banks and credit unions across APY, term lengths, minimum deposits, and early withdrawal penalties to find the top certificates of deposit.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Top-tier APY with no minimum deposit and a 10-day rate guarantee
Marcus consistently ranks at or near the top for CD rates across all term lengths. The 10-day rate guarantee gives you a built-in hedge against rate increases right after you lock in. Their no-penalty CDs are particularly useful if you want CD-level returns with savings-account-level flexibility.
- No minimum deposit to open a CD
- 10-day CD rate guarantee: if rates go up within 10 days, you get the higher rate
- No-penalty CD option for 7, 11, and 13-month terms
- Early withdrawal penalty on standard CDs (150 days of interest for terms under 12 months)
- No physical branch access
- Cannot add funds after initial deposit
Ally Bank
Flexible CD options including raise-your-rate and no-penalty products
Ally is the most flexible CD provider on this list. Between their standard, no-penalty, and Raise Your Rate products, you can build a CD strategy for almost any rate outlook. The zero minimum deposit means you can start small and ladder up over time.
- No minimum deposit on any CD product
- Raise Your Rate CD lets you increase your rate once (2-year) or twice (4-year) if rates go up
- No-penalty CD lets you withdraw the full balance after 6 days with no fee
- Standard CD rates are slightly below Marcus for equivalent terms
- Raise Your Rate CD only available in 2-year and 4-year terms
- Early withdrawal penalty on standard CDs can eat into returns
Discover Bank
Competitive rates with no minimum balance and flexible term lengths
Discover is the pick for short-term CD parking. Their 3-month and 6-month rates frequently beat the competition, making them ideal if you want to earn a premium while waiting for a better investment opportunity. The $2,500 minimum is the main friction point.
- Among the best rates for short-term CDs (3 and 6-month)
- Wide range of term lengths from 3 months to 10 years
- FDIC insured with Discover Bank backing
- Higher minimum deposit ($2,500) compared to Ally or Marcus
- No no-penalty CD option currently available
- Long-term CD rates are competitive but not always the top
Bread Savings
High APY across all terms with a simple, no-frills platform
Bread Savings quietly posts some of the highest CD rates available. No gimmicks, no complex product tiers. You pick a term, deposit your money, and earn a top-of-market APY. If you do not need the bells and whistles of Ally's product lineup, Bread is the straightforward high-yield choice.
- Frequently offers the highest APY for 12-month CDs on the market
- Simple product lineup without confusing tiers or conditions
- FDIC insured through Comenity Capital Bank
- $1,500 minimum deposit required
- No no-penalty or raise-your-rate CD options
- Smaller, less-known brand compared to Ally or Discover
Barclays
No minimum deposit with competitive rates across all terms
Barclays keeps their CD product simple: zero minimum, competitive rate, pick your term. No special products or complex rate laddering tools. If you want a clean, no-nonsense CD from a large FDIC-insured institution, Barclays delivers.
- No minimum deposit required to open any CD
- Rates are consistently in the top tier across all terms
- FDIC insured with the backing of a major global bank
- No no-penalty or specialty CD products
- Early withdrawal penalty is steeper than some competitors
- Limited account management features in the online interface
Capital One 360
No minimum, no fees, with the flexibility of a full banking relationship
Capital One 360 CDs are the right choice if you already bank with Capital One and want everything in one place. The rates are competitive but not the highest. The real value is the convenience of managing your CDs alongside your checking and savings in a single dashboard.
- No minimum deposit, no maintenance fees
- Integrates with Capital One 360 checking and savings for easy transfers
- Physical cafe locations in major cities for in-person support
- APY runs 0.10–0.30% lower than the top online-only competitors
- Early withdrawal penalty is 3 months interest on terms under 12 months
- Rate is not the primary selling point compared to Marcus or Bread
Methodology
How We Evaluate CD ProvidersWe evaluate CD providers across four weighted categories: APY competitiveness across short, medium, and long-term products (40%), fee structure including early withdrawal penalties (20%), product variety including no-penalty and specialty CDs (20%), and minimum deposit requirements and accessibility (20%).
APY data is collected weekly across all available term lengths. Ratings reflect quantitative yield analysis combined with product flexibility and customer experience. This page is updated monthly.
CalcMoney may receive compensation from partners when you click affiliate links. This does not influence our rankings or editorial content.
Frequently Asked Questions
CD Rates FAQAre CDs still worth it in 2026?
CDs are worth it when the APY is meaningfully above your savings account rate and you can commit the funds for the full term. In 2026, the best 12-month CDs are paying 4.25%–4.50%, which is competitive. CDs make the most sense for money you know you will not need for a specific period, like a house down payment 12 months away.
What is a CD ladder and should I build one?
A CD ladder is a strategy where you divide your deposit across CDs with staggered maturity dates (e.g., 6-month, 12-month, 18-month, 24-month). As each CD matures, you either use the funds or reinvest into a new long-term CD. This gives you periodic access to your money while still earning higher long-term rates. It is especially useful when you are unsure about future rate direction.
What happens if I withdraw from a CD early?
Most CDs charge an early withdrawal penalty (EWP) that ranges from 60 days to 150+ days of interest depending on the term. On a 12-month CD, a typical penalty is 90 days of interest. This can wipe out your earnings and even eat into your principal if you withdraw very early. No-penalty CDs from Ally and Marcus avoid this issue entirely.
Should I choose a no-penalty CD or a standard CD?
No-penalty CDs typically offer APYs 0.10–0.30% lower than standard CDs for the same term. If you are certain you will not need the money, the standard CD pays more. If there is any chance you will need early access, the no-penalty CD is worth the small rate trade-off. Think of it as paying a small insurance premium for liquidity.