Best CD Rates September 2026: Top APYs by Term, Checked September 24
Written & reviewed by Hans Goldstein, EA, independent licensed insurance producer · CA license 4273294 · NPN 20602398Admitted to practice before the IRS
Rates checked on each bank's site and DepositAccounts · Updated
The best CD rates available nationally on September 24, 2026 run about 4.35% to 4.50% APY for 1 year and 4.35% to 4.50% for 5 years. The highest I found: 4.50% for 12 months (HAB Bank), 4.55% for 36 months (North American Savings Bank) and 4.50% for 5 years (Bread Savings and Popular Direct).
The curve is flat, not inverted as it was earlier this year, so locking a longer term no longer costs you yield. For 5-year money, A-rated insurers' 5-year MYGAs paid about 5.50% to 6.05% on the same date, tax-deferred.
Every rate below carries its source and date. CD rates move weekly; confirm on the bank's own site before you open anything. This is not a paid list, and no bank pays to be on it.
Rates expire like milk.
The best MYGA, CD and savings rates change every few weeks. Get a short email when a rate on this page changes.
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CD vs MYGA, after tax
What $100,000 earns in 5 years: CD vs MYGA, after tax
Rates used: CD 5.00%, the top nationally available 5-year CD (Bankrate, October 14, 2026); change it to the rate you are offered. MYGA 5.95%, the best A-rated rate we track as of October 13, 2026: Delaware Life Pinnacle Plus 5-year (AM Best A-, negative outlook, 7/31/2026), $100,000 and up, effective October 6, 2026 (Delaware Life rate sheet).
| CD, interest taxed every year | $121,081 |
|---|---|
| MYGA, tax-deferred, before tax | $133,507 |
| MYGA after paying tax on all the interest at withdrawal | $126,136 |
| Tax deferral alone adds about | $674 |
| MYGA ahead of the CD, after tax | $5,055 |
Assumes 22% federal and 0% state income tax, no withdrawals, rates held for the whole term. MYGA interest is taxed as ordinary income when you withdraw it, not as capital gains. Gains taken before age 59 1/2 can owe a 10% IRS penalty, and cashing out early can cost a surrender charge. In an IRA both grow tax-deferred, so the edge there is the rate alone. Bank and credit union deposits are FDIC or NCUA insured up to the limits; a MYGA is backed by the issuing insurer's claims-paying ability and your state's guaranty association up to its limits, not the FDIC. General education, not tax, legal or financial advice.
Best rates by term: nationally available CDs
These are the top rates in DepositAccounts' national tables (banks and credit unions open to the public, online and local), updated 09/25/2026. “Not listed” means the table did not show the minimum or penalty; get it from the bank.
Best 6-month CD rates
| Institution | Product | APY | Min. to open | Early withdrawal penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAB Bank | 6 Month CD | 4.50% | $1.5k | not listed |
| New Century Bank | 6 Month CD | 4.31% | $1k | not listed |
| Amerant | 6 Month Promotional CD: New Money | 4.25% | not listed | not listed |
| American Express National Bank | 10 Month CD | 4.25% | $0 | not listed |
| E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley | 6 Month CD | 4.20% | $0 | not listed |
| Happen Bank | 6 Month CD | 4.20% | $2.5k | 90 Days |
Source: DepositAccounts 6 month CD table (updated 09/25/2026). APYs change often; verify before opening.
Good for cash you need inside a year. Note that American Express's 10-month CD shows up here.
Best 1-year CD rates
| Institution | Product | APY | Min. to open | Early withdrawal penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAB Bank | 12 Month CD | 4.50% | $1.5k | not listed |
| EagleBank | 12 Month CD | 4.45% | $1k | not listed |
| New Century Bank | 12 Month CD | 4.40% | $1k | not listed |
| Bask Bank | 12 Month CD | 4.35% | $1k | 90 Days |
| CIBC Bank USA | 12 Month Agility CD: Online Only | 4.35% | $1k | 30 Days |
| E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley | 12 Month CD | 4.35% | $0 | not listed |
Source: DepositAccounts 1 year CD table (updated 09/25/2026). APYs change often; verify before opening.
Best 18-month CD rates
| Institution | Product | APY | Min. to open | Early withdrawal penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley | 18 Month CD | 4.40% | $0 | not listed |
| Merrick Bank | 18 Month CD | 4.40% | $25k | not listed |
| Sallie Mae Bank | 15 Month CD | 4.40% | $2.5k | 180 Days |
| EagleBank | 18 Month CD | 4.35% | $1k | not listed |
| Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 18 Month High-yield CD | 4.35% | $500 | 180 Days |
| Popular Direct | 18 Month Popular Direct CD | 4.35% | $10k | 270 Days |
Source: DepositAccounts 18 month CD table (updated 09/25/2026). APYs change often; verify before opening.
Sallie Mae's entry is its 15-month CD.
Best 2-year CD rates
| Institution | Product | APY | Min. to open | Early withdrawal penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrick Bank | 24 Month CD | 4.45% | $25k | not listed |
| Popular Direct | 24 Month Popular Direct CD | 4.45% | $10k | 270 Days |
| E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley | 24 Month CD | 4.40% | $0 | not listed |
| Happen Bank | 2 Year CD | 4.40% | $2.5k | 180 Days |
| HSBC | 24 Month Telephone CD | 4.40% | $1k | not listed |
| Barclays | 24 Month Online CD | 4.35% | $0 | 90 Days |
Source: DepositAccounts 2 year CD table (updated 09/25/2026). APYs change often; verify before opening.
Best 3-year CD rates
| Institution | Product | APY | Min. to open | Early withdrawal penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North American Savings Bank | 36 Month CD Special | 4.55% | not listed | not listed |
| New Century Bank | 36 Month CD | 4.51% | $1k | not listed |
| Popular Direct | 36 Month Popular Direct CD | 4.50% | $10k | 365 Days |
| Bread Savings | 3 Year CD | 4.40% | $1.5k | 180 Days |
| E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley | 36 Month CD | 4.40% | $0 | not listed |
| Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3 Year High-yield CD | 4.35% | $500 | 180 Days |
Source: DepositAccounts 3 year CD table (updated 09/25/2026). APYs change often; verify before opening.
North American Savings Bank's 36-month rate is a special; Sallie Mae's entry is its 30-month CD.
Best 5-year CD rates
| Institution | Product | APY | Min. to open | Early withdrawal penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bread Savings | 5 Year CD | 4.50% | $1.5k | 365 Days |
| Popular Direct | 60 Month Popular Direct CD | 4.50% | $10k | 730 Days |
| E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley | 60 Month CD | 4.40% | $0 | not listed |
| Sallie Mae Bank | 60 Month CD | 4.40% | $2.5k | 180 Days |
| Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 5 Year High-yield CD | 4.35% | $500 | 180 Days |
| Synchrony Bank | 60 Month CD | 4.35% | $0 | 365 Days |
Source: DepositAccounts 5 year CD table (updated 09/25/2026). APYs change often; verify before opening.
Popular Direct's 5-year penalty (730 days) is steep. See the full best 5-year CD rates page.
What the big banks pay, straight from their own rate pages
Most people shop the names they know. Here is each one's standard CD ladder as published on its own site.
| Institution | 6 mo | 12 mo | 18 mo | 24 mo | 36 mo | 60 mo | Min. | Source / as of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.95% | 3.90% | 4.35% | 4.35% | 4.35% | 4.35% | $500 | marcus.com, 9/24/2026 |
| Sallie Mae Bank | 3.20% | 4.20% | 4.30% | 4.35% | 4.40% | 4.40% | $2,500 | salliemae.com, 9/24/2026 |
| Synchrony Bank | 4.10% | 4.10% | 4.25% | 4.25% | 4.30% | 4.35% | $0 | synchrony.com, 9/24/2026 |
| Barclays | 4.00% | 4.25% | 3.00% | 4.35% | 2.50% | 4.25% | $0 | banking.us.barclays, 9/11/2026 |
| Ally Bank | 3.85% | 4.15% | 4.25% | n/a | 4.00% | 4.10% | $0 | ally.com, 9/24/2026 |
| Navy Federal CU ($1K tier) | n/a | 4.05% | 4.10% | 3.66% | 4.10% | 3.85% | $1,000 | navyfederal.org, 9/24/2026 |
| Capital One 360 | 3.30% | 4.00% | 3.60% | 3.50% | 3.50% | 3.60% | $0 | capitalone.com, 9/24/2026 |
| American Express | n/a | 3.50% | 3.25% | 3.25% | 2.25% | 3.00% | $0 | americanexpress.com, 9/24/2026 |
Specials outside these columns, same sources and dates: Capital One 11-month 4.30%, Marcus 9-month 4.30%, American Express 10-month 4.25% and 22-month 4.00%, Synchrony 16-month 4.30%, Sallie Mae 15-month 4.40%, Navy Federal 12-month $50-minimum special 4.35%. n/a in the table means the institution does not offer that term. Navy Federal requires membership (military, veterans, DoD and their families).
My read: Marcus and Sallie Mae pay top-of-market from 18 months out. Synchrony's best is 60 months. Barclays pays 4.25% to 4.35% on 12, 24 and 60 months but only 2.50% to 3.00% on 18, 36 and 48. Capital One and American Express save their best rates for odd-term specials. Discover no longer opens CDs; its CD page now sends you to Capital One.
CD vs MYGA: the 5-year math
A multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) is the insurance-company version of a CD: one fixed rate for a fixed term, principal not exposed to the market. The difference is the tax and the backing.
| $250,000 for 5 years | Best 5-year CD at 4.50% | 5-year MYGA at 5.50% |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | 4.50% APY (DepositAccounts, updated 09/25/2026) | 5.50% (A-rated insurer benchmark, 9/24/2026) |
| Tax on interest | Every year (1099-INT) | Deferred until withdrawn |
| Value after 5 years, after 24% federal tax | ~$295,800 | ~$308,300 (tax paid at the end) |
| Protection | FDIC/NCUA, $250,000 per depositor per ownership category | Insurer claims-paying ability + state guaranty association (limits vary by state) |
| Getting out early | Interest penalty | Surrender charge above the contract's free-withdrawal amount; IRS 10% penalty on gain before 59½ |
| Minimum | $0 to $10,000 depending on bank | Often $5,000 to $25,000 depending on carrier |
MYGA figures: A-rated-or-better insurers, 5-year compound-interest MYGAs, about 5.50% to 6.05% per public carrier rate sheets, October 14, 2026. Rates vary by state, premium and carrier.
About $12,500 more after federal tax on the MYGA in this example (state tax ignored). Where the CD is the better tool: money you may need inside two years, balances under a MYGA's minimum, IRA money where tax deferral is already built in and you want FDIC coverage, or anyone who wants no insurance-company exposure at all.
Annuity vs CD side by side · Current MYGA rates · Best 5-year MYGA rates
How to use this page
- Under 1 year: take the best 6- to 12-month rate you can open with your balance. A high-yield savings account is the alternative if you might need the money early.
- 1 to 3 years: the flat curve means 2- and 3-year CDs pay as much as 1-year ones right now, so a longer lock protects you if rates fall.
- 3 years and longer: compare against a MYGA of the same term before you commit, especially above $50,000 in a taxable account.
- Over $250,000: split across institutions or ownership categories to stay inside FDIC/NCUA limits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest CD rate right now?
On DepositAccounts' tables updated 09/25/2026, the top nationally available CDs paid 4.50% APY for 6 months (HAB Bank), 4.50% for 1 year (HAB Bank), 4.55% for 3 years (North American Savings Bank) and 4.50% for 5 years (Bread Savings). Minimums and penalties differ; check each bank before opening.
What are the big online banks paying on CDs?
As of September 24, 2026 on their own sites: Marcus 4.35% APY on 18-month to 6-year CDs, Synchrony 4.35% on 60 months, Sallie Mae 4.40% on 15, 36 and 60 months, Ally 4.25% on 18 months, Capital One 360 4.30% on an 11-month special. Barclays paid 4.35% on 24 months (rates as of 9/11/2026).
Is the CD yield curve still inverted?
No. In September 2026 the curve is roughly flat: top 1-year CDs paid 4.35% to 4.50% and top 5-year CDs 4.35% to 4.50% on DepositAccounts' tables updated 09/25/2026. Several banks pay their best rate on an odd term (11, 15 or 16 months) rather than on the round terms.
What does a 5-year MYGA pay compared with a 5-year CD?
About 5.50% to 6.05% from A-rated-or-better insurers on October 14, 2026 (public carrier rate sheets), against 4.35% to 4.50% APY on the best 5-year CDs. On $250,000 for 5 years in a 24% federal bracket, a 5.50% MYGA ends about $12,500 ahead of a 4.50% CD after tax, because MYGA interest is tax-deferred.
Are credit union certificates better than bank CDs?
Not in September 2026. Navy Federal's standard certificates paid 4.05% to 4.10% on 12 to 18 months and 3.85% on 5 years (9/24/2026), below the best online banks. NCUA share insurance covers $250,000 per member per ownership category, the same limit as FDIC.
Is my CD safe if the bank fails?
Up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category, under FDIC insurance (NCUA for credit unions). Money above the limit at one institution is not insured.
How much is the penalty for breaking a CD early?
It depends on the bank and term. Examples verified 9/24/2026: Ally charges 60 days of interest on 3 to 24 month CDs, rising to 150 days on terms of 49 months or more; Capital One charges 3 months of interest on terms of 12 months or less and 6 months on longer terms. Check the disclosure before you open.
Do CD rates change after I open the account?
No. A standard CD's APY is fixed for the term. The rate can change when the CD renews at maturity, and bump-up or no-penalty CDs have their own rules.
Related reading
- Best 5-year CD rates
- Marcus CD review
- Sallie Mae Bank CD review
- Synchrony Bank CD review
- Ally Bank CD review
- Capital One 360 CD review
- Navy Federal CD review
- Annuity vs CD
Hans Goldstein is an independent licensed insurance producer (CA license 4273294, NPN 20602398). He is not a bank and is not affiliated with any institution listed. Rates are copied from the sources named, as of the dates shown. MYGA figures are a market benchmark, not a quote.
CD or MYGA? Get an independent side-by-side before you lock in
Talk to Hans Goldstein, a licensed independent insurance producer.
The best 5-year CDs paid 4.35% to 4.50% APY on September 24, 2026; A-rated 5-year MYGAs paid about 5.50% to 6.05%, tax-deferred. Tell me the CD you are looking at and I will put the numbers next to it for your amount and term.
Send your details. Within one business day you get a written side-by-side sized to your dollar amount and term, and a free 15-minute call if you want one.
Rather talk it through? Or book 15 minutes on Hans’s calendar, or call 213-414-2808.
Hans Goldstein · 213-414-2808 · NPN 20602398, independent licensed insurance producer appointed with multiple A-rated carriers
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Disclosure
This ranking reflects publicly available rate pages from bank and credit union websites and from DepositAccounts, as of the dates stated in each table. CD rates change frequently, typically weekly. Always confirm current APYs directly with the institution before opening. This is general education, not a personal recommendation or an offer of any product. Hans Goldstein is an independent licensed insurance producer (NPN 20602398) and (CA license 4273294) is not affiliated with any bank or credit union listed. No compensation has been received from any institution in connection with this page. MYGA comparison rates are an public carrier rate sheets benchmark for A-rated-or-better carriers as of September 24, 2026 and are subject to availability, suitability, and underwriting. Annuities are long-term contracts with surrender charges and are not suitable for funds you may need before the end of the surrender period. FDIC and NCUA coverage details are subject to change; consult FDIC.gov or NCUA.gov for current rules. State guaranty association coverage for annuities varies by state.