Updated June 22, 2026 · Researched 100+ institutions · CD rates checked for accuracy
2026 CD Ranking
Best Certificates of Deposit of 2026
Compare strong CD options by APY, term length, minimum deposit, early withdrawal penalty, FDIC or NCUA insurance, and how well each CD fits a real savings goal.
Beelinger Research Team Updated June 2026
100+ Institutions Reviewed
7 CD Factors Scored
How We Ranked:
Current APY
Term Length
Minimum Deposit
Early Withdrawal Penalty
FDIC/NCUA Coverage
Renewal Risk
Reader Fit
Best Certificates of Deposit: Quick Winners
Need the answer fast? Start here, then use the full CD cards to compare APY, term, minimum deposit, early withdrawal penalties, and whether the account is realistic for your cash timeline.
Best overall CD: Connexus Credit Union 17-Month Special Certificate
Best highest APY: Indiana University Credit Union 6-Month CD
Best short-term online CD: Forbright Bank 9-Month Growth CD
Best simple online CD: Bread Savings Certificate of Deposit
Best no-minimum CD: Synchrony Bank CD
Best no-penalty option: Ally No Penalty CD
Trust Check Before You Lock Up Your Cash
A CD can be useful because it locks in a fixed APY, but the lock is also the trade-off. Before opening one, check the term, penalty, minimum deposit, renewal rules, and whether your money is federally insured.
Fixed-rate clarity
We favor CDs with clear terms, published APYs, and straightforward minimum deposits. Promotional and regional offers are labeled when access may be limited.
Penalty review
Early withdrawal penalties can erase part of your return. CDs score better when the penalty is clear, reasonable, or avoided through a no-penalty structure.
Insurance first
We prioritize FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions. Standard coverage is generally $250,000 per depositor, per insured institution, per ownership category.
Fast Comparison: Best CDs by Category
A short SERP-style view before the full reviews.
Best For
CD
APY
Term
Minimum
Best Overall
Connexus Credit Union Special Certificate
4.29%
17 months
$5,000 new money
Highest APY
Indiana University Credit Union CD
4.50%
6 months
$2,000
Short-Term Online
Forbright Growth CD
4.15%
9 months
$1,000
Simple Online CD
Bread Savings CD
4.00%
Multiple terms
$1,500
No Minimum
Synchrony Bank CD
Up to 4.00%
3-60 months
$0
No Penalty
Ally No Penalty CD
Lower APY
11 months
$0
Full Reviews: 11 Best Certificates of Deposit of 2026
11 picks
Filter by what matters most to you
Showing 11 of 11 CDs.
Beelinger #1 Pick · Best Overall Certificate of Deposit 2026
# 01
Connexus
9.6
Bee Score
Best Overall CD
Connexus Credit Union 17-Month Special Certificate Connexus Credit Union · NCUA insured
APY
4.29%
Term
17 months
Minimum
$5,000
Pros
Strong nationwide special certificate APY
17-month term balances yield and flexibility
NCUA-insured credit union certificate
Clear new-money requirement on official page
Cons
$5,000 minimum is higher than some competitors
Membership required
Special rate may be limited-time
Beelinger TakeConnexus is the best overall CD pick because the APY is competitive, the term is not too long, and the official page clearly explains the limited-time special, membership requirement, and new-money minimum. It is a strong fit for readers who can lock up cash for a little over a year.
Rate accurate as of June 22, 2026 on Connexus page; 17-month special requires membership and $5,000 minimum opening deposit in new money.
Indiana University Credit Union 6-Month CD Indiana University Credit Union · NCUA insured
APY
4.50%
Term
6 months
Minimum
$2,000
Pros
Highest APY found in current research
Short 6-month commitment
Reasonable $2,000 minimum
NCUA-insured credit union
Cons
May be local or membership-limited
Not the best fit if you need nationwide access
Rate may not be available to every reader
Beelinger TakeIndiana University Credit Union earns the top APY slot, but it is not the overall #1 because access may be less universal than larger nationwide CD providers. It is excellent if you qualify and want a short-term rate lock.
6-month CD APY and $2,000 minimum cross-checked against IU Credit Union rate page and current CD-rate trackers in June 2026.
Forbright Bank 9-Month Growth CD Forbright Bank · Member FDIC
APY
4.15%
Term
9 months
Minimum
$1,000
Pros
Strong 9-month APY on official bank page
Low $1,000 minimum balance requirement
FDIC-insured bank
Good fit for near-term goals
Cons
Early withdrawal penalties apply
No withdrawals during first 25 calendar days for online CDs
Online-only product
Beelinger TakeForbright is a clean short-term CD option for readers who want a fixed return without locking money away for multiple years. The early-withdrawal rules matter, but the term is short enough for many planned cash goals.
4.15% APY, 9-month term, $1,000 minimum, and early-withdrawal language checked from Forbright Growth CD page dated June 21, 2026.
Bread Savings Certificate of Deposit Bread Savings / Comenity Capital Bank · Member FDIC
APY
4.00%
Term
Multiple terms
Minimum
$1,500
Pros
Competitive APY across common terms
Straightforward online CD structure
FDIC-insured through Comenity Capital Bank
$1,500 minimum is manageable for many savers
Cons
Higher minimum than $0-minimum CDs
Funds are locked until maturity unless you accept a penalty
Online-only experience
Beelinger TakeBread Savings is a strong simple-CD choice. It may not always have the single highest APY, but its easy product structure and competitive rates make it useful for readers who want a clear online CD without too many moving parts.
Bread Savings CD APYs were marked accurate as of June 22, 2026 on the official CD page; minimum deposit and account terms should be verified before opening.
Limelight Bank 12-Month CD Limelight Bank, a division of Capital Community Bank · Member FDIC
APY
4.03%
Term
12 months
Minimum
$1,000
Pros
Strong 12-month rate in current CD research
Low $1,000 minimum deposit
Good one-year cash-parking timeline
FDIC-insured banking division
Cons
Official rate page may require final confirmation before publishing
Less familiar brand than Ally or Capital One
Early withdrawal penalty applies
Beelinger TakeLimelight is a strong one-year CD candidate for readers who want a simple 12-month lock. It ranks below the top four because Beelinger would verify the final live rate directly before publication.
12-month APY and $1,000 minimum supported by current May-June 2026 rate research; verify live Limelight rate page before publication.
Beelinger TakeSynchrony is useful for readers who want to start a CD without a large opening deposit. The $0 minimum gives it strong practical value even when another provider has a slightly higher APY.
Term range, FDIC language, and CD product details checked from Synchrony CD page; third-party rate research listed rates up to about 4.00% APY in June 2026.
No early withdrawal penalty after first 6 days after funding
No minimum opening deposit
FDIC-insured bank
Strong digital banking experience
Cons
APY is usually lower than top standard CDs
Not the best option if you know you can lock cash fully
Only one no-penalty term structure
Beelinger TakeAlly No Penalty CD is best for readers who want some rate certainty but are not fully comfortable locking up cash. You trade APY for flexibility, which can be the right move for uncertain timelines.
No-penalty terms, 11-month structure, and no early withdrawal penalty after the initial funding window checked from Ally official page.
Capital One 360 CD Capital One, N.A. · Member FDIC
APY
Varies by term
Term
6-60 months
Minimum
$0
Pros
$0 minimum deposit
Familiar app and online banking experience
FDIC-insured bank
Easy fit for current Capital One customers
Cons
APY may trail top credit-union specials
Term-by-term rates should be verified before opening
Standard early withdrawal penalties apply
Beelinger TakeCapital One is not always the highest-rate CD provider, but it is useful for readers who value a familiar interface, no minimum deposit, and simple account management.
CD term range, $0 minimum, and FDIC status should be verified from Capital One 360 CD disclosures before publication.
Marcus High-Yield CD Goldman Sachs Bank USA · Member FDIC
APY
Varies by term
Term
6-72 months
Minimum
$500
Pros
Recognized Goldman Sachs banking brand
Low $500 minimum deposit
FDIC-insured bank
Multiple common CD terms
Cons
May not lead the market on every term
Funds are locked until maturity unless penalty is accepted
No branch access
Beelinger TakeMarcus is a good CD option for readers who want a trusted-name online bank and a low opening minimum. It ranks below higher-yielding picks because Beelinger prioritizes current APY first for fixed-term products.
Marcus CD terms and minimum deposit should be verified directly from current Marcus CD pages before publication.
Can be useful for planned education or family savings goals
Competitive rates in some terms
Cons
$2,500 minimum is higher than many online CDs
Not always the highest APY
Standard penalty rules apply
Beelinger TakeSallie Mae can be a reasonable CD choice for readers who already know the brand and can meet the higher minimum. It is not the lowest-friction option, but it belongs in the comparison set.
CD term range, minimum deposit, and FDIC details should be checked from Sallie Mae Bank CD disclosures before publication.
Long-term CDs can create reinvestment and opportunity-cost risk
Beelinger TakeDiscover is a solid familiar-bank CD, especially for readers already in its ecosystem. It ranks lower because the minimum is higher and current top CD yields are available elsewhere.
Discover CD term range, minimum deposit, and current APYs should be verified directly from Discover disclosures before publication.
A CD works best when your timeline is clear. You are trading liquidity for a fixed APY, so the best CD is not always the highest-rate CD. It is the CD that matches when you will actually need the money.
1. Match the term to the goal
Use short CDs for near-term cash goals and avoid locking emergency money into a long term unless you have enough flexible savings elsewhere.
2. Compare APY, not interest rate
APY includes compounding and is the cleaner comparison point. Make sure the APY applies to the term and balance you are actually choosing.
3. Read the penalty
Early withdrawal penalties can reduce or erase earnings. A slightly lower APY may be better if the penalty is more flexible.
4. Check minimum deposits
A high APY is less useful if the minimum is too high. Compare the yield against the amount you are comfortable locking away.
5. Watch renewal rules
Many CDs renew automatically. Put the maturity date on your calendar so your money does not roll into a new term you did not choose.
6. Consider a ladder
A CD ladder splits money across several maturity dates. This can help balance fixed returns with regular access to part of your cash.
How We Picked CDs That Help Your Cash Earn More Safely
A strong CD should do more than flash a high APY. It should give your money a clear fixed return, protect your principal through federal deposit insurance, explain the penalty before you commit, and match a real timeline in your financial life.
What matters most in our scoring
Most CD rankings spotlight the biggest APY. We look at what you give up to earn that APY. CDs score better when the term is practical, the minimum is reasonable, the penalty is clear, the institution is federally insured, and the account helps you lock in a return without trapping money you may need soon.
100+
Institutions reviewed
30+
CD factors assessed
60+
Data points analyzed
CD Score — Category Weights
APY strength and rate competitiveness
30%
Term usefulness and goal fit
20%
Early withdrawal penalty clarity
15%
Minimum deposit and access requirements
15%
FDIC/NCUA insurance clarity and institution backing
10%
Renewal rules, customer experience, and real-life fit
10%
Reader-first rule: the highest APY does not automatically win. A local-only special, high minimum deposit, harsh penalty, or awkward term may be less useful than a slightly lower APY with clearer access and better fit.
Real return
We compare APY, term length, compounding, and whether the rate is promotional, local, jumbo-only, or broadly available.
Liquidity risk
We look at early withdrawal penalties, no-penalty options, grace periods, maturity rules, and whether the CD may trap money too long.
Safety and fit
We favor federally insured CDs that fit real goals such as upcoming purchases, home down payments, tax reserves, and cash you do not need immediately.
Financial Institutions and Providers Reviewed
We review banks, credit unions, online banks, and cash platforms so you do not have to sort through every CD offer yourself. The CDs that make the final list offer the strongest mix of rate, term fit, federal insurance, clear penalties, manageable minimums, and practical value for savers.
Ally BankAmerican Express National BankBarclays Bank DelawareBask BankBMO AltoBread SavingsBrioDirectCapital OneCharles Schwab BankChaseCIBC AgilityCIT BankCitibankCitizens AccessConnexus Credit UnionDiscover BankEverBankFidelity Brokered CDsForbright BankGoldman Sachs Bank USAIndiana University Credit UnionLendingClub BankLimelight BankLive Oak BankMarcus by Goldman SachsMountain America Credit UnionNavy Federal Credit UnionPenFed Credit UnionPrime Alliance BankQuontic BankSallie Mae BankSynchrony BankTAB BankTD BankU.S. BankVio BankWestern Alliance BankWells FargoAlliant Credit UnionAmerica First Credit UnionAndrews Federal Credit UnionBethpage Federal Credit UnionDigital Federal Credit UnionFirst Tech Federal Credit UnionGolden 1 Credit UnionLake Michigan Credit UnionService Credit UnionWings Financial Credit Union
Editorial Standards Review
CD pages affect real savings decisions. Beelinger applies a higher review standard to banking pages because readers may lock away money for months or years based on the information.
What we verify
APY, term, minimum deposit, early withdrawal penalty, federal insurance status, availability, special-rate conditions, and maturity/renewal rules.
How affiliate links are handled
Compensation may affect link availability, but not the ranking logic. A CD can rank based on reader value even without an affiliate relationship.
Freshness policy
CD APYs and specials can change quickly. Rates should be rechecked before publication and again after major Fed or bank-rate changes.
Sources and Verification
CD rates, minimums, special terms, and penalties can change quickly. Beelinger prioritizes official bank and credit union disclosures, then uses reputable rate trackers for market context.
A certificate of deposit, or CD, is a deposit account that usually pays a fixed APY for a fixed term. In exchange, you agree to leave your money in the account until maturity unless you pay an early withdrawal penalty.
Are CDs safe?
CDs can be safe when opened at an FDIC-insured bank or NCUA-insured credit union and kept within federal insurance limits. Standard coverage is generally $250,000 per depositor, per insured institution, per ownership category.
Why did Beelinger not simply rank the highest APY first?
The highest APY may be local-only, short-term, promotional, jumbo-only, or tied to a high minimum deposit. Beelinger weighs APY against term length, penalty, minimum deposit, access, and practical usefulness.
What happens if I withdraw money from a CD early?
Most standard CDs charge an early withdrawal penalty. The penalty may be a set number of days or months of interest. No-penalty CDs allow earlier access, but usually pay a lower APY.
Should I choose a CD or high-yield savings account?
Use a CD when you know you will not need the money for the term and want a fixed rate. Use a high-yield savings account when you need flexible access, such as for an emergency fund.
What is a CD ladder?
A CD ladder splits money across multiple CDs with different maturity dates. This can help you earn fixed returns while keeping part of your money maturing at regular intervals.
SJ
Written by
Sophia Joseph
Personal finance educator focused on helping readers make clearer banking, saving, and wealth-building decisions.
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Reviewed by
Beelinger Research Team
Our team reviews CD APYs, terms, minimums, insurance details, early withdrawal penalties, and account conditions using official institution pages whenever possible. Last verified June 22, 2026.
Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. If you open an account through our links, Beelinger may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Our rankings are based on our published CD review framework and are not financial advice. APYs, terms, penalties, and availability can change at any time. Always verify current terms directly with the institution before opening a CD.