Best CD Rates Today, Aug. 28, 2024: Time's Running Out on APYs Up to 5.25%

The clock is ticking on high certificate of deposit rates. You can still score an annual percentage yield, or APY, up to 5.25% with today’s best CDs, but APYs have been on the way down for months. And with a Federal Reserve rate cut likely around the corner, they’re falling even faster these days.

Your APY is locked in when you open a CD, so your returns will stay the same even if overall rates drop. That means now is the time to jump on high APYs while they last. The longer you wait, the lower the rate you may be able to lock in -- and the lower your earning potential will be.

Here’s where you can nab one of the highest CD rates today.

Today’s best CD rates

These are some of the highest rates available on today’s best CDs and how much you could earn by depositing $5,000 right now:

Experts recommend comparing rates before opening a CD account to get the best APY possible. Enter your information below to get CNET’s partners’ best rate for your area.

Why banks are slashing CD rates

CD rates are significantly affected by the Fed’s decisions. The Fed regularly adjusts the federal funds rate to stabilize the economy, and since this rate determines how much it costs banks to borrow and lend money to each other, they tend to follow the Fed’s lead.

The Fed raised rates 11 times starting in March 2022 to fight rampant inflation, and APYs on CDs skyrocketed. As inflation began showing signs of cooling, the Fed held rates steady eight times starting in September 2023, and APYs largely held steady, too.

In recent months, APYs wavered as banks anticipated a rate cut, which Fed Chair Jerome Powell said “could be on the table at the September meeting.” After this month’s Consumer Price Index report showed inflation continuing to cool, this cut seemed even more likely, and the Fed’s latest statements support this. As a result, we’ve seen more and more banks slashing APYs across CD terms.

Here’s where CD rates stand compared to last week:

“With the latest report showing a cooling off of inflation, it will finally give the Fed permission to make the rate cuts they have been talking about since the beginning of the year,” said Dana Menard, founder of Twin Cities Wealth Strategies. “I think it makes the Fed’s September rate decision much easier to cut interest rates by between 0.25% and 0.50%. This will also cause CD rates to fall in the coming months.”

In other words: The sooner you secure a high APY, the greater your earning potential could be.

What to consider when comparing CD accounts

A competitive APY is important, but there are other things you should consider when comparing CDs to get the best product for your needs:

• When you’ll need your money: Early withdrawal penalties can eat into your interest earnings. So, be sure to choose a term that fits your savings timeline. Alternatively, you can select a no-penalty CD, although the APY may not be as high as you’d get with a traditional CD of the same term.
• Minimum deposit requirement: Some CDs require a minimum amount to open an account -- typically, $500 to $1,000. Others do not. How much money you have to set aside can help you narrow down your options.
• Fees: Maintenance and other fees can eat into your earnings. Many online banks don’t charge fees because they have lower overhead costs than banks with physical branches. Still, read the fine print for any account you’re evaluating.
• Federal deposit insurance: Make sure any bank or credit union you’re considering is an FDIC or NCUA member so your money is protected if the bank fails.
• Customer ratings and reviews: Visit sites like Trustpilot to see what customers are saying about the bank. You want a bank that’s responsive, professional and easy to work with.

Methodology

CNET reviews CD rates based on the latest APY information from issuer websites. We evaluated CD rates from more than 50 banks, credit unions and financial companies. We evaluate CDs based on APYs, product offerings, accessibility and customer service.

The current banks included in CNET’s weekly CD averages are: Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, American Express National Bank, Barclays, Bask Bank, Bread Savings, Capital One, CFG Bank, CIT, Fulbright, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, MYSB Direct, Quontic, Rising Bank, Synchrony, EverBank, Popular Bank, First Internet Bank of Indiana, America First Federal Credit Union, CommunityWide Federal Credit Union, Discover, Bethpage, BMO Alto, Limelight Bank, First National Bank of America, Connexus Credit Union.