APY (8-month CD)
4.00%
Citizens Access CD Rates (2026)
Quick take: Citizens Access, the online arm of Citizens Bank, now advertises a single 8-month online CD at 4.00% APY with a $5,000 minimum (rate the bank states as accurate as of 07/28/2026, checked September 24, 2026), plus a savings account at 2.80% APY. It no longer lists a 1-year or 5-year CD on its site.
Citizens Access rates, checked September 24, 2026
| Product | APY | Source, as of |
|---|---|---|
| Online CD, 8-month ($5,000 minimum) | 4.00% | citizensaccess.com, bank-stated as of 07/28/2026 (savings 07/17/2026), checked 9/24/2026 |
| Citizens Access Savings | 2.80% | citizensaccess.com, bank-stated as of 07/28/2026 (savings 07/17/2026), checked 9/24/2026 |
The Citizens Access site now advertises a single 8-month online CD; no other CD terms were listed. For comparison, A-rated 5-year MYGAs topped out around 5.50% to 6.05% (public carrier rate sheets, October 14, 2026). Rates change weekly. Other rate figures further down this page are as of June 27, 2026.
Hero stats · Citizens Access 8-month online CD
Insurance
FDIC
Min Deposit
$5,000
EWP
90-365 days interest (term-dependent)
As of
2026-06-27
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.
Citizens Access CD rates, checked September 24, 2026
| Product | APY |
|---|---|
| 8-Month online CD ($5,000 min) | 4.00% |
| Citizens Access Savings | 2.80% |
From citizensaccess.com, checked September 24, 2026; the bank states the CD APY is accurate as of 07/28/2026 and the savings APY as of 07/17/2026. The earlier 6-month to 5-year ladder is no longer listed.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Backed by Citizens Bank, regional balance sheet
- FDIC-insured to $250K
- Clean online-only experience
- Simple product set: one 8-month CD and one savings account
- No monthly fees
Cons
- $5,000 minimum is one of the higher minimums for online CDs
- Only one CD term (8 months) is advertised
- No long-term CD to compare with 5-year MYGAs (5.50% to 6.05%)
- Less brand recognition than Marcus/Ally for online-only CDs
- Early withdrawal penalty schedule scales harshly with term
Rate alert
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.
We’ll email you when a rate on this page changes. Hans Goldstein · NPN 20602398.
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How the Citizens Access 1-Year (featured) CD compares to peers
At the 1-year (featured) term, this is how the CD compares with the most-shopped competitors:
| Bank | 1-Year (featured) APY |
|---|---|
| Citizens Access 8-month (bank-stated 07/28/2026) | 4.00% |
| Marcus 1yr (June 2026, not current) | 4.75% |
| Synchrony 1yr (June 2026, not current) | 4.60% |
| Ally 1yr (June 2026, not current) | 4.50% |
For a broader view of top 1-year (featured) rates across 30+ banks and credit unions, see Best 5-Year CD Rates 2026.
When a MYGA beats this CD
A Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA) is the insurance-industry equivalent of a CD: lock a fixed rate for a fixed term, principal-protected. Citizens Access’s only advertised CD is 8 months at 4.00%, so it is a short parking spot, not a multi-year lock. For money you can commit for five years, A-rated 5-year MYGAs topped out around 5.50% to 6.05% (public carrier rate sheets, October 14, 2026), and the best nationally available 5-year CDs paid 4.35% to 4.50% APY (DepositAccounts, September 24, 2026).
Math at $250,000 over 5 years (simple annual compounding):
- Top 5-year CD @ 4.50%: $311,545 ending balance
- 5-year MYGA @ 5.50%: $326,740 ending balance
- Difference: $15,195 in favor of the MYGA, before tax deferral
MYGAs also defer tax on interest until withdrawal, CDs are taxed annually as ordinary income whether you touch the interest or not. The trade-off: MYGAs have a fixed surrender schedule (usually with 10%/yr free withdrawal); CDs have shorter penalty periods. For taxable retirement money you don't plan to touch, the MYGA almost always wins. See CD vs MYGA Comparison for the full breakdown.
Lock in now or wait?
Short answer: nobody knows the next move, so don’t bet everything on one. The Treasury curve is no longer inverted: on September 25, 2026 the 5-year par yield was 4.98% versus 4.50% for the 1-year (U.S. Treasury), and the Fed raised its target range to 3.75%-4.00% on September 16, 2026. Many banks still price short CDs above long ones, so compare the exact terms before you lock.
Practical move: ladder. Put 1/3 in a 1-year CD or MYGA, 1/3 in a 3-year, and 1/3 in a 5-year. You capture today's still-elevated rates on the long end while keeping liquidity rolling.
FAQ, Citizens Access 1-Year (featured) CD
What is the current Citizens Access 1-Year (featured) CD rate?
Citizens Access advertises an 8-month online CD at 4.00% APY with a $5,000 minimum (bank-stated as of 07/28/2026, checked 9/24/2026); it no longer lists a 1-year CD. Rates change frequently, confirm on the Citizens Access website before opening.
Is the Citizens Access 1-Year (featured) CD FDIC-insured?
Yes. Citizens Access (Citizens Bank) is FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category. Couples with joint accounts get $500,000 of coverage.
What is the minimum deposit for the Citizens Access 1-Year (featured) CD?
$5,000. If you have more to deposit, FDIC coverage caps at $250,000 per depositor per bank, split large balances across multiple institutions if needed.
What is the early withdrawal penalty?
90-365 days interest (term-dependent). Withdraw before maturity and the penalty is deducted from your interest (or principal if interest isn't enough). Plan your maturity date carefully.
Can I add money to my Citizens Access CD after opening?
No, like most traditional CDs, this is a single-deposit account. To add funds, you must open a new CD at the rate available at that time.
What happens at maturity?
Citizens Access typically gives you a 10-day grace period to withdraw, change terms, or accept auto-renewal at the current posted rate. Set a calendar reminder, auto-renewal often locks you in at a worse rate.
Should I pick a CD or a MYGA at this term?
MYGAs are priced by term; for reference, A-rated 5-year MYGAs topped out around 5.50% to 6.05% (public carrier rate sheets, October 14, 2026). MYGA interest is tax-deferred (CDs are taxed annually). Trade-off: MYGAs have surrender schedules; CDs have shorter penalty periods. For taxable retirement money, the MYGA usually wins. See CD vs MYGA Comparison.
Related reading
- Citizens Access full bank CD review
- Best 5-Year CD Rates 2026: 30+ banks compared
- CD vs MYGA: which one fits your money?
- Best MYGA Rates 2026: current top carriers
Before you lock in, get the MYGA comparison
Hans Goldstein, independent licensed insurance producer.
If you're considering the Citizens Access 1-Year (featured) CD, you should see what a 1-year MYGA from an A-rated carrier pays at the same risk level. Often it's 50-150 basis points higher, with tax deferral.
Send your details and you'll get a written side-by-side: this CD vs. the top 3 MYGAs at the same term, with end-of-term math at your actual deposit amount. We’ll email it to you.
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 review reflects publicly posted bank rates and approximate APYs as of 2026-06-27. CD rates change frequently, confirm current rates directly with Citizens Access (Citizens Bank) before opening an account. This article is general information for educational purposes; it is not a personalized recommendation, solicitation, or offer of any specific banking or insurance product. Citizens Access (Citizens Bank) is FDIC- or NCUA-insured to the limits stated; coverage is per depositor, per ownership category. Hans Goldstein is an independent licensed insurance producer (NPN 20602398) appointed with multiple A-rated annuity carriers; he is NOT a bank employee, broker-dealer, or registered representative, and is not paid by Citizens Access (Citizens Bank) for this review. No compensation has been received from Citizens Access (Citizens Bank) in connection with this content. MYGA comparisons reference rates from A-rated carriers as of the date stated; carrier rates change monthly. Always read the actual CD disclosure or annuity contract before purchasing.