What is a certificate of deposit (CD)?

A certificate of deposit (CD) is a type of savings account that pays a fixed interest rate on money held for an agreed upon period of time. Offered by both banks and credit unions, CDs differ from standard savings accounts in that CD funds must remain untouched for the entirety of their term—or you'll incur a penalty.

What is a certificate of deposit & how does it work?

Certificates of deposit — more commonly known as CDs — are another savings vehicle offered by banks and credit unions allowing you to deposit your cash and earn interest over time. Unlike a traditional or high-yield savings account, however, once you open a CD, you can’t access those funds until the term ends, also known as the maturity date.

Is a certificate of deposit a good investment?

Certificates of deposit (CDs) can be an ideal account to allocate some of your savings, especially if you’re looking for a fixed APY. Bankrate’s list of top-yielding CD rates are much higher than today's national average yield of 1.77 percent for a one-year CD. Note: Annual percentage yields (APYs) shown were updated between May 8 and May 14.