CD Rates Over 5%, Where to Find Them in 2026

The Current 5% CD Landscape

As of September 25, 2026, after the Fed's 2024-2025 cuts and a 0.25-point hike on September 16, 2026 (target 3.75-4.00%), 5%+ APY on non-callable CDs is not available from the nationally advertised leaders. The market is no longer awash in 5% CDs as it was during the 2023 peak rate environment. Where rates stood on September 25, 2026:

• National average 12-month CD: 1.73% (FDIC National Rates, September 21, 2026).
• Big online banks, 1-year CD: 3.90-4.20% (Marcus 3.90%, Synchrony 4.10%, Ally 4.15%, Sallie Mae 4.20%, September 24, 2026).
• Best nationally available 1-year CD: 4.35-4.50% (HAB Bank, EagleBank, New Century Bank and others, DepositAccounts, September 25, 2026).
• Credit union 12-month specials: Navy Federal's $50-minimum Special EasyStart certificate paid 4.35% (checking and direct deposit required, $3,000 cap; September 24, 2026).
• Brokered and callable CDs: inventories change daily and were not re-checked; callable long-dated CDs can show higher headline rates (avoid for income planning).

The honest read: 5%+ on non-callable, no-strings-attached CDs requires either promotional rates (which expire), credit union memberships (which require qualification), or specific brokered CD issuance windows (which are temporary).

Where 5%+ CDs Have Shown Up Before

1. Credit Union Promotional Certificates

Credit unions periodically run aggressive promotional certificates as member acquisition tools. Recent examples:

• Navy Federal Credit Union: 5.05% on 9-month special certificates (mid-2025 promotion, $5K minimum).
• PenFed: 5.00% on 15-month money market certificates (2025 limited window).
• Lake Michigan Credit Union: 5.25% on 5-month accelerator certificates (2025 promotion, $100K cap).
• Local single-state credit unions: occasional promotional 12-month certificates, often with $250-$1,000 minimum and balance caps of $50K-$100K.

How to find them: search "credit union CD special" plus your state, or use aggregator sites like DepositAccounts.com which track promotional rates daily. Most promotional rates last 4-12 weeks before the credit union returns to standard rates.

2. Short-Duration Brokered CDs

On September 25, 2026 the top of the CD curve was roughly flat from 6 months to 5 years (about 4.50% APY at the leaders). Brokered specials, when they appear, tend to cluster at 3-9 month maturities. Specific issuers (Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Morgan Stanley Bank N.A., Sallie Mae Bank, certain regional banks running funding drives) periodically post above-market rates on short new issues. These appear and disappear daily on Fidelity and Schwab CD OneSource.

3. Callable Long-Dated Brokered CDs (Use With Caution)

Higher headline rates on 10-15 year callable CDs are common. As covered in our callable CD trap guide, these are almost always called within 1-3 years when rates fall. Treat them as 1-year CDs with a possible windfall, not as long-term yield locks.

4. Specialty Direct-Bank Promotions

Online banks periodically run aggressive promotions to attract new deposits. On September 24, 2026, Marcus's best CD was 4.35% (18 months to 6 years), Synchrony's 4.35% (60 months) and Ally's 4.25% (18 months). These typically have new-customer requirements or balance limits ($1K minimum, no maximum but the rate may step down at $100K+).

Why 5% CDs Are Harder to Find Today Than in 2023

The 2022-2023 rate environment was unusually depositor-friendly. The Fed had raised the federal funds rate from near-zero to 5.25-5.50% in a compressed 18-month window. Banks scrambled to retain and acquire deposits, posting 5-6% CD rates across the board. By September 2026, the best nationally available CDs sat at about 4.35-4.55% APY (DepositAccounts, September 25, 2026).

A return to 5.5-6% retail CD rates would likely take a sustained Fed tightening cycle. The Fed's 0.25-point hike on September 16, 2026 has not, so far, pushed top CDs back to 5%.

How to Hunt for 5%+ CDs Systematically

1. Set up DepositAccounts.com alerts for your zip code and account type. The site tracks promotional rates daily and notifies on new postings.
2. Check Fidelity and Schwab CD OneSource daily. Filter for non-callable, your preferred maturity, and sort by yield descending. New issues post throughout the day.
3. Join local credit unions. Field-of-membership rules are usually liberal (small association fee, often $5-$10). Once you're a member, you can act quickly on promotional certificates.
4. Monitor Navy Federal, PenFed, Alliant Credit Union, and other large credit unions for promotional certificate windows. These run periodically.
5. Be ready to act fast. The best promotional rates often have caps (first $X million, first 10,000 accounts) or short windows (48-72 hours). Have funds available to move when you spot one.

Where the Yield Stops at the CD Level, and MYGAs Take Over

For locked-rate, non-callable yields above 5% over 3+ years, the CD market underdelivered as of September 2026. The yields exist only on callable long-dated CDs (which won't deliver the headline rate) or short-term promotional windows (which won't deliver the duration).

The alternative: A-rated 5-year multi-year guaranteed annuities paid 5.50-6.05% on October 14, 2026 (public carrier rate sheets) without callable risk. The trade-offs:

• Surrender charges if you liquidate before the end of the surrender period (typically 5-10% declining over 5-10 years).
• State guaranty fund instead of FDIC (typically $250K-$300K per owner per carrier, varying by state).
• Tax deferral rather than annual 1099-INT (a positive for tax-paying buyers in higher brackets).
• No callable risk: the rate you sign is the rate you get for the full term.

For the slice of fixed-income allocation you've decided to lock for 5+ years anyway, MYGAs structurally win on yield. Splitting across 2-3 carriers gives you guaranty fund coverage on each layer. The combined experience: more yield, more diversification, and no callable risk, at the cost of liquidity flexibility.

Worked Example, $200K Savings Hunt

A retiree has $200,000 in cash and wants to maximize yield over the next 5 years without committing to anything callable. Sample current-market construction:

The 5-year tranche choice is where the meaningful yield decision lives. The MYGA option delivers ~$5,000-$11,000 more interest over the 5-year period than the CD option, on the same $100K, with comparable safety (state guaranty fund + A-rated carrier vs FDIC). The cost: surrender charges if liquidated early. For money that's earmarked for the full 5 years anyway, the MYGA structurally wins.

Final Read on the 5% CD Hunt

5% CDs exist but require effort and timing. For passive deposit allocation, the big online banks paid 3.90-4.35% and the best nationally available CDs 4.35-4.55% in late September 2026. Active hunters can sometimes beat that with a limited-time credit union or brokered special, but no nationally listed CD reached 5% on September 25, 2026. For locked rates above 5% over multi-year horizons without callable risk, the CD market generally won't deliver, and MYGAs from A-rated carriers are the structural alternative worth comparing in every conversation about money you'd otherwise lock up for 3-7 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Reading

• Fidelity brokered CD review
• Schwab brokered CD review
• Callable CD traps
• CD rate shopping checklist
• CDARS for large depositors
• MYGA rates (5%+ without callable risk)

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If you're stacking FDIC categories, choosing a brokered CD desk, or weighing MYGAs against CDs for your fixed-income bucket, a 15-minute independent review confirms (or improves) your plan.

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Hans Goldstein, EA
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Hans Goldstein · 213-414-2808 · NPN 20602398, independent licensed insurance producer appointed with multiple A-rated carriers

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Disclosure

This article reflects publicly available information and approximate rates as of the date stated above. CD rates, brokered CD inventories, FDIC and NCUA rules, and carrier MYGA rates change frequently, often daily. Always verify current values against the issuing institution's official disclosure documents before committing funds. This is general education, not a personal recommendation or an offer of any product. Hans Goldstein is an independent licensed insurance producer (NPN 20602398) appointed with multiple A-rated carriers across the annuity market; this article is not an endorsement of any specific bank, brokerage, credit union, or carrier. No compensation has been received from any reviewed institution in connection with the publication of this article. FDIC and NCUA insurance limits, ownership category rules, and the operations of CDARS, ICS, and other IntraFi programs are governed by federal regulation and the program documents; always confirm coverage with the institution and refer to FDIC.gov, NCUA.gov, or IntraFi.com for the official rules. MYGA carrier financial strength ratings, state guaranty fund limits, and tax treatment are subject to change. Always read the actual contract and consult a licensed advisor before purchasing any annuity, CD, or insurance product.