The current average interest rate on a savings account is just 0.06%, according to the FDIC. It’s no surprise, then, that people often seek another low-risk way to get a larger return on their money. A great alternative to savings accounts is a 1-year certificate of deposit (CD). A CD is much like a savings account, except you lock your money into this account for a minimum of 1 year. After the 12 months is over you can withdraw your money and the interest or roll it over into another year.

1. How To Get The Best CD Rate Bankrate.com
2. What Is A CD?CDs Are Time Deposit Accounts. They Pay A Fixed Rate Of Interest On The Money You Invest For A Fixed Period Of Time. Unlike A Savings Account, CDs...

If you’re looking for the Best 12-Month CD Rates to invest your funds in, you’re in the right spot. Below is our guide to help you find the Best 12-Month CD Rates. Certificate of deposits, otherwise known as CDs, will offer you one of the best & secure way to get a return on your money when you invest it with your bank/credit union of choice.

1. Certificates of Deposit - Branch Banks 2021. A certificate of deposit (CD) is a savings product offered by a bank in which a depositor (someone who has money to put into the bank) agrees to commit a certain amount of money for a set period of time, in return for a fixed rate of interest.
2. The following banks and credit unions are currently offering the highest CD rates for each term. Best 1-year CD rates Best 1-year CD rate from a Credit Union – Connexus Federal Credit Union, 0.71% APY.
3. Due to the Federal Reserve rate cuts in March 2020, many banks dropped the rates they’re offering on their CD products. Credit unions and online banks still yield the best bang for the savings buck. The average interest rate right now is 0.42% for a 1-year CD. A 5-year CD averages 0.60%.
4. If you’re just looking for a higher payout, however, CDs might be the way to go. Treasury bond rates have fallen since the financial crisis, falling to a paltry 0.5% in 2013. As of October 2019, the bond yield for a 5-year investment is at 1.34%, while the best nationally available 5-year CD.

8 Best 1-Year CD Interest Rates for September 2020

Rates data as of 8/26/2020

Is now a good time to save?

Certificates of deposit, or CDs, are a savings deposit that assures your money will grow and gain interest. Due to the Federal Reserve rate cuts in March 2020, many banks dropped the rates they’re offering on their CD products. Credit unions and online banks still yield the best bang for the savings buck.

The average interest rate right now is 0.42% for a 1-year CD. A 5-year CD averages 0.60%. Depositing your money in a bank for a fixed period means you will receive a fixed interest rate. While the rate you earn won’t be as high as it has been at some points in recent history, it’s still a good time to help your money grow via that earned interest.

The rate offered on CDs is often higher than the interest earned on most savings accounts, and that includes high-yield savings accounts. It’s a good way to save and earn if you can stow away that money for one year — provided you won’t need access to that money right now.

Ally – 0.75% APY

Ally’s 12-month high-yield CD not only offers a competitive interest rate, but it comes with the company’s “Ten Day Best Rate Guarantee,” which states as long as you fund your CD within the first ten days of opening your account, you’re guaranteed to be given the best 12-month CD rate Ally offers for your term and balance tier, even if it goes up. You’ll also be given compounding interest on your balance, and the account doesn’t come with any pesky monthly maintenance fees.

Barclays – 0.40% APY

Beginning investors, or those who don’t have a ton of money to store away, may be interested inBarclays CDs — specifically its online options. Their 1-year CD option comes with a healthy annual percentage yield and there is no minimum amount required to open the account, which means that you’re free to put away as much or as little as you wish. In addition, though the CD itself only lasts for one year, Barclays also offers a ladder option, which allows you to free up or choose to reinvest your earnings as the CD matures.

Capital One – 0.50% APY

Though the annual percentage yield isn’t as high forCapital One’s 1-year CD, it’s worth noting that this choice offers more flexibility than some of the other best 12-month CD rates that are currently on the market. With Capital One, you can choose how you want your interest to be paid out, whether it’s at the end of the term, on a monthly basis or annually. You can also rest easy knowing that all of Capital One’s CDs are FDIC-insured up to the allowable limit of $250,000.

Charles Schwab – 0.15% APY

Charles Schwab does its CDs a little bit differently than most of the other financial institutions on the market. Rather than offering CDs in year-long installments, they offer the flexibility to go month-to-month. Though we’re talking about the best 12-month CD rates, it’s worth noting that you have the option to renew your CD for anywhere from one month to 20 years. That said, Charles Schwab accounts do come with a minimum balance requirement of $1,000.

Discover – 0.80% APY

A big selling point behind Discover’s product is not only it’scompetitive 12-month CD rate, but also the amount of transparency that the company has online. Not only does Discover’s online presence list the benefits of opening an account with Discover — such as not having any monthly maintenance fees or having a calculator that lets you see exactly how much interest your deposit will earn over the term of the CD — but it also shows you the potential downsides of opening the account. For example, its website lists how much interest you’ll be charged if you withdraw from your account early, allowing you to make a fully informed decision about where to put your money.

Marcus – 0.85% APY

Marcus by Goldman Sachs CD’s minimum amount required to open an account is lower than the usual. Its 1-year CD minimum deposit is just $500, which is roughly half as much as some of the other high-yield CD options on this list. CDs through Marcus by Goldman Sachs are only available online (as of writing), which could be a drawback for some who prefer a more hands-on approach to their money. Marcus by Goldman Sachs does offer a 10-day CD rate guarantee, an online calculator to see how much you’ll earn, and a US-based customer service center that is open every day.

Synchrony – 0.75% APY

Synchrony Bank has CDs available for a minimum deposit of $2,000, which is much higher than the usual minimum deposit, sometimes as low as $500. However, Synchrony does have a 15-day best rate guarantee and an online calculator. At Synchrony, you might fare better with a high-yield savings account where you’ll earn 1.05% APY and have no minimum balance.

TIAA Bank – 0.60% APY

Requiring a $5,000 deposit in order to open the account definitely guarantees TIAA bank the award for the highest minimum deposit requirement on the list. However, if you have the funds, it may be worth the investment.TIAA Bank offers a few features that set it apart from its competitors, including a 20-day maturity alert, which will give you enough time to plan to free up your funds, if needed. Plus, CD accounts with TIAA are IRA-eligible.

Compare the 8 Best 1-Year CD Rates for September 2020

• Ally: 0.75% APY, $0 minimum deposit
• Barclays: 0.40% APY, $0 minimum deposit
• Capital One: 0.50% APY, $0 minimum deposit
• Charles Schwab: 0.15% APY, $1,000 minimum deposit
• Discover: 0.80% APY, $2,500 minimum deposit
• Marcus: 0.85% APY, $500 minimum deposit
• Synchrony: 0.75% APY, $2,000 minimum deposit
• TIAA Bank: 0.60% APY, $5,000 minimum deposit

What is a 1-Year CD?

A 1-year CD is simply a short-term certificate of deposit. Like other CDs, this financial product promises to provide investors with higher-than-normal interest rates, provided that they keep the money in the CD for its entire term.

This 12-month CD investment could be useful if you have a lump-sum of cash that you won’t need to access for at least a year, such as a work bonus or a cash gift. While certificates of deposits can offer a great return on investment, you’ll likely be subject to penalties if you decide to pull the money out before the term of the CD is over. You can use our CD interest rate calculator to see how much interest you’ll earn over the course of a year or longer.

CDs vs. Other Accounts

1-Year CDs vs Savings Accounts

Put simply, the rates savings accounts offer are not usually as high as what you might find with a CD or when compared to a 1-year CD. However, in return for those lower rates in traditional savings accounts, you do get some added flexibility. While there may be limits on how many withdrawals you can make per month, there are no penalties for withdrawing your money from a savings account. This may be a better option if you’re worried that you may have to pull money out at a certain point in time.

1-Year CDs vs Money Market Accounts

Money market accounts (MMAs) are similar to savings accounts in that, while there are limits on the amount of withdrawals you can make per month, as long as you stay within those limits, there are no penalties for accessing your money. Money market accounts also usually have a marginally higher yield than high-yield savings accounts. Plus, some accounts come with the ability to write checks or access your money via a debit card. However, their minimum balances tend to be slightly higher as well, and MMA holders may see penalties or fees for falling below those minimum balances.

1-Year CDs vs 3-Year CDs

The decision between a 1-year versus a 3-year CD boils down to how long you have to put your money away. A 3-year CD will offer better earnings, and usually, a higher interest rate. The longer you can put your money away, the higher the interest rate will be. You’ll get a good return upon maturity of the CD.

The Impact of 0.1% Change on $1,000

When you’re comparing rates between CDs and savings accounts, you may notice that CD rates only promise a marginally higher percentage than a traditional or high-yield savings account. You’re left wondering if locking your money in a CD is really worth it. Believe it or not, even a 0.1% increase in APY rate could have a noticeable impact over the term of your CD. Let’s say you have a 12-month CD worth $1,000 that garners 2.4% APY. In the first year, the value of your CD will increase to $1,024. Now imagine you were able to get a 12-month CD rate of 2.5% APY. At the end of the year, your CD will be worth $1,025. That’s not that great of a difference, but if you have a CD worth several thousand dollars, you can begin to imagine how quickly a few extra percentage points can add up to real cash — especially if you renew the CD.

The final word

Investing your money in a 1-year CD is a good option if you can lock away that money for the duration of the CD. It’s an excellent low-risk way to save and earn, but you’ll lose some or all of the interest you earn if you withdraw the money you deposited before the CD matures.

You can choose the best CD option for you based on the minimum deposit, interest rate, fees and whether the bank offers a 10-day rate guarantee. The best 1-year CDs have better interest rates than traditional savings accounts, and since CD rates are fixed, you can learn exactly how much you will get in return when the CD matures.

The current average interest rate on a savings account is just 0.06%, according to the FDIC. It’s no surprise, then, that people often seek another low-risk way to get a larger return on their money. A great alternative to savings accounts is a 1-year certificate of deposit (CD). A CD is much like a savings account, except you lock your money into this account for a minimum of 1 year. After the 12 months is over you can withdraw your money and the interest or roll it over into another year.

8 Best 1-Year CD Interest Rates for September 2020

Rates data as of 8/26/2020

Is now a good time to save?

Certificates of deposit, or CDs, are a savings deposit that assures your money will grow and gain interest. Due to the Federal Reserve rate cuts in March 2020, many banks dropped the rates they’re offering on their CD products. Credit unions and online banks still yield the best bang for the savings buck.

The average interest rate right now is 0.42% for a 1-year CD. A 5-year CD averages 0.60%. Depositing your money in a bank for a fixed period means you will receive a fixed interest rate. While the rate you earn won’t be as high as it has been at some points in recent history, it’s still a good time to help your money grow via that earned interest.

The rate offered on CDs is often higher than the interest earned on most savings accounts, and that includes high-yield savings accounts. It’s a good way to save and earn if you can stow away that money for one year — provided you won’t need access to that money right now.

Ally – 0.75% APY

Ally’s 12-month high-yield CD not only offers a competitive interest rate, but it comes with the company’s “Ten Day Best Rate Guarantee,” which states as long as you fund your CD within the first ten days of opening your account, you’re guaranteed to be given the best 12-month CD rate Ally offers for your term and balance tier, even if it goes up. You’ll also be given compounding interest on your balance, and the account doesn’t come with any pesky monthly maintenance fees.

Barclays – 0.40% APY

Beginning investors, or those who don’t have a ton of money to store away, may be interested inBarclays CDs — specifically its online options. Their 1-year CD option comes with a healthy annual percentage yield and there is no minimum amount required to open the account, which means that you’re free to put away as much or as little as you wish. In addition, though the CD itself only lasts for one year, Barclays also offers a ladder option, which allows you to free up or choose to reinvest your earnings as the CD matures.

Capital One – 0.50% APY

Though the annual percentage yield isn’t as high forCapital One’s 1-year CD, it’s worth noting that this choice offers more flexibility than some of the other best 12-month CD rates that are currently on the market. With Capital One, you can choose how you want your interest to be paid out, whether it’s at the end of the term, on a monthly basis or annually. You can also rest easy knowing that all of Capital One’s CDs are FDIC-insured up to the allowable limit of $250,000.

Charles Schwab – 0.15% APY

Charles Schwab does its CDs a little bit differently than most of the other financial institutions on the market. Rather than offering CDs in year-long installments, they offer the flexibility to go month-to-month. Though we’re talking about the best 12-month CD rates, it’s worth noting that you have the option to renew your CD for anywhere from one month to 20 years. That said, Charles Schwab accounts do come with a minimum balance requirement of $1,000.

Discover – 0.80% APY

A big selling point behind Discover’s product is not only it’scompetitive 12-month CD rate, but also the amount of transparency that the company has online. Not only does Discover’s online presence list the benefits of opening an account with Discover — such as not having any monthly maintenance fees or having a calculator that lets you see exactly how much interest your deposit will earn over the term of the CD — but it also shows you the potential downsides of opening the account. For example, its website lists how much interest you’ll be charged if you withdraw from your account early, allowing you to make a fully informed decision about where to put your money.

Marcus – 0.85% APY

Marcus by Goldman Sachs CD’s minimum amount required to open an account is lower than the usual. Its 1-year CD minimum deposit is just $500, which is roughly half as much as some of the other high-yield CD options on this list. CDs through Marcus by Goldman Sachs are only available online (as of writing), which could be a drawback for some who prefer a more hands-on approach to their money. Marcus by Goldman Sachs does offer a 10-day CD rate guarantee, an online calculator to see how much you’ll earn, and a US-based customer service center that is open every day.

Synchrony – 0.75% APY

Synchrony Bank has CDs available for a minimum deposit of $2,000, which is much higher than the usual minimum deposit, sometimes as low as $500. However, Synchrony does have a 15-day best rate guarantee and an online calculator. At Synchrony, you might fare better with a high-yield savings account where you’ll earn 1.05% APY and have no minimum balance.

TIAA Bank – 0.60% APY

Requiring a $5,000 deposit in order to open the account definitely guarantees TIAA bank the award for the highest minimum deposit requirement on the list. However, if you have the funds, it may be worth the investment.TIAA Bank offers a few features that set it apart from its competitors, including a 20-day maturity alert, which will give you enough time to plan to free up your funds, if needed. Plus, CD accounts with TIAA are IRA-eligible.

Compare the 8 Best 1-Year CD Rates for September 2020

• Ally: 0.75% APY, $0 minimum deposit
• Barclays: 0.40% APY, $0 minimum deposit
• Capital One: 0.50% APY, $0 minimum deposit
• Charles Schwab: 0.15% APY, $1,000 minimum deposit
• Discover: 0.80% APY, $2,500 minimum deposit
• Marcus: 0.85% APY, $500 minimum deposit
• Synchrony: 0.75% APY, $2,000 minimum deposit
• TIAA Bank: 0.60% APY, $5,000 minimum deposit

What is a 1-Year CD?

A 1-year CD is simply a short-term certificate of deposit. Like other CDs, this financial product promises to provide investors with higher-than-normal interest rates, provided that they keep the money in the CD for its entire term.

This 12-month CD investment could be useful if you have a lump-sum of cash that you won’t need to access for at least a year, such as a work bonus or a cash gift. While certificates of deposits can offer a great return on investment, you’ll likely be subject to penalties if you decide to pull the money out before the term of the CD is over. You can use our CD interest rate calculator to see how much interest you’ll earn over the course of a year or longer.

CDs vs. Other Accounts

1-Year CDs vs Savings Accounts

Put simply, the rates savings accounts offer are not usually as high as what you might find with a CD or when compared to a 1-year CD. However, in return for those lower rates in traditional savings accounts, you do get some added flexibility. While there may be limits on how many withdrawals you can make per month, there are no penalties for withdrawing your money from a savings account. This may be a better option if you’re worried that you may have to pull money out at a certain point in time.

How To Get The Best CD Rate Bankrate.com

1-Year CDs vs Money Market Accounts

Money market accounts (MMAs) are similar to savings accounts in that, while there are limits on the amount of withdrawals you can make per month, as long as you stay within those limits, there are no penalties for accessing your money. Money market accounts also usually have a marginally higher yield than high-yield savings accounts. Plus, some accounts come with the ability to write checks or access your money via a debit card. However, their minimum balances tend to be slightly higher as well, and MMA holders may see penalties or fees for falling below those minimum balances.

1-Year CDs vs 3-Year CDs

The decision between a 1-year versus a 3-year CD boils down to how long you have to put your money away. A 3-year CD will offer better earnings, and usually, a higher interest rate. The longer you can put your money away, the higher the interest rate will be. You’ll get a good return upon maturity of the CD.

The Impact of 0.1% Change on $1,000

When you’re comparing rates between CDs and savings accounts, you may notice that CD rates only promise a marginally higher percentage than a traditional or high-yield savings account. You’re left wondering if locking your money in a CD is really worth it. Believe it or not, even a 0.1% increase in APY rate could have a noticeable impact over the term of your CD. Let’s say you have a 12-month CD worth $1,000 that garners 2.4% APY. In the first year, the value of your CD will increase to $1,024. Now imagine you were able to get a 12-month CD rate of 2.5% APY. At the end of the year, your CD will be worth $1,025. That’s not that great of a difference, but if you have a CD worth several thousand dollars, you can begin to imagine how quickly a few extra percentage points can add up to real cash — especially if you renew the CD.

The final word

What Is A CD?CDs Are Time Deposit Accounts. They Pay A Fixed Rate Of Interest On The Money You Invest For A Fixed Period Of Time. Unlike A Savings Account, CDs...

Investing your money in a 1-year CD is a good option if you can lock away that money for the duration of the CD. It’s an excellent low-risk way to save and earn, but you’ll lose some or all of the interest you earn if you withdraw the money you deposited before the CD matures.

You can choose the best CD option for you based on the minimum deposit, interest rate, fees and whether the bank offers a 10-day rate guarantee. The best 1-year CDs have better interest rates than traditional savings accounts, and since CD rates are fixed, you can learn exactly how much you will get in return when the CD matures.