APY
4.10%
Synchrony Bank 1-Year CD Rate (2026)
Quick take: Synchrony’s 12-month CD pays 4.10% APY (accurate as of September 25, 2026), below the top nationally available 1-year CDs (4.35% to 4.50%, DepositAccounts, 9/25/2026). Its 16-month CD pays more, 4.30%. No minimum deposit, 90-day interest penalty for early withdrawal.
Synchrony Bank CD rates, checked September 24 and 25, 2026
| Term | APY | Source, as of |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Month | 0.25% | synchrony.com, 9/24/2026 |
| 6-Month | 4.10% | synchrony.com, 9/24/2026 |
| 9-Month | 3.90% | synchrony.com, 9/24/2026 |
| 12-Month | 4.10% | synchrony.com, 9/25/2026 |
| 14-Month | 4.15% | synchrony.com, 9/25/2026 |
| 16-Month | 4.30% | synchrony.com, 9/25/2026 |
| 18-Month | 4.25% | synchrony.com, 9/24/2026 |
| 2-Year | 4.25% | synchrony.com, 9/24/2026 |
| 2-Year Bump-Up | 3.00% | synchrony.com, 9/24/2026 |
| 3-Year | 4.30% | synchrony.com, 9/24/2026 |
| 4-Year | 4.00% | synchrony.com, 9/24/2026 |
| 5-Year | 4.35% | synchrony.com, 9/25/2026 |
No minimum deposit. Synchrony states its APYs are accurate as of the date shown (9/25/2026 for the 12, 14, 16 and 60-month terms read that day; 9/24/2026 for the rest). The 11-month no-penalty CD paid 0.25% (9/24/2026).
Hero stats · Synchrony 1-Year CD
Insurance
FDIC
Min Deposit
$0 (no minimum)
EWP
90 days simple interest
As of
2026-09-25
CD vs MYGA, after tax
What $100,000 earns in 3 years: CD vs MYGA, after tax
Rates used: CD 4.50%, the top nationally available 5-year CD (DepositAccounts, September 24, 2026); change it to the rate you are offered. MYGA 5.65%, the best A-rated rate we track as of October 13, 2026: Athene MaxRate 3-year (AM Best A+), $100,000 and up, effective September 25, 2026 (Athene rate card).
| CD, interest taxed every year | $110,904 |
|---|---|
| MYGA, tax-deferred, before tax | $117,926 |
| MYGA after paying tax on all the interest at withdrawal | $113,982 |
| Tax deferral alone adds about | $170 |
| MYGA ahead of the CD, after tax | $3,078 |
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.
Synchrony CD rates, full term ladder
The 1-year CD highlighted on this page is one of several terms Synchrony offers. Here's the full ladder so you can compare:
| Term | APY |
|---|---|
| 3-Month | 0.25% |
| 6-Month | 4.10% |
| 9-Month | 3.90% |
| 1-Year (this page) | 4.10% |
| 14-Month | 4.15% |
| 16-Month | 4.30% |
| 18-Month | 4.25% |
| 2-Year | 4.25% |
| 2-Year Bump-Up | 3.00% |
| 3-Year | 4.30% |
| 4-Year | 4.00% |
| 5-Year | 4.35% |
Rates from synchrony.com, accurate as of 9/25/2026 (12, 14, 16, 60 months) and 9/24/2026 (other terms). Confirm the current rate on the Synchrony site before funding.
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.
Rather talk it through? Or book 15 minutes on Hans’s calendar.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No minimum deposit; 12-month APY 4.10% (9/25/2026)
- No minimum deposit
- Branchless, low-fee structure
- Optional ATM card for direct CD interest withdrawal
- Wide CD term selection (3-month through 5-year)
Cons
- Heavy 365-day interest penalty on 5-Year CD (one of the harshest)
- No checking account
- Brand association with retail credit cards puts off some buyers
- 5-Year APY (4.35%) trails A-rated 5-year MYGAs (5.80% to 6.00%, 9/24/2026) by roughly 145bps or more
- ATM card is opt-in, not standard
How the Synchrony 1-Year CD compares to peers
At the 1-year term, this is how the CD compares with the most-shopped competitors:
| Bank | 1-Year APY |
|---|---|
| Synchrony 12-month (9/25/2026) | 4.10% |
| Sallie Mae 12-month (posted 9/25/2026) | 4.30% |
| Barclays 12-month (9/11/2026) | 4.25% |
| Capital One 360 12-month (9/24/2026) | 4.00% |
| Top nationally available 1-year CDs (DepositAccounts, 9/25/2026) | 4.35-4.50% |
For a broader view of top 1-year 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. For money you can lock up for five years, the benchmark we track is A-rated 5-year MYGAs, which topped out around 5.80% to 6.00% (AnnuityRateWatch, 9/24/2026), versus 4.10% on this 12-month CD and 4.35% on Synchrony’s 5-year CD.
Math at $250,000 over 5 years (using simple annual compounding):
- Synchrony 1-Year CD @ 4.10%, if renewed at the same rate each year (not guaranteed): $305,628 ending balance
- 5-year MYGA @ 5.80%: $331,412 ending balance
- Difference: $25,784 in favor of the MYGA
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: lock in at least a portion now. The Fed raised its target range to 3.75% to 4.00% on September 16, 2026, and CD pricing is uneven across terms, so nobody can promise where rates go next. Waiting for “better” rates is a bet; locking part of the money now takes that bet off the table.
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, Synchrony 1-Year CD
What is the Synchrony 1-Year CD rate?
As of September 25, 2026, the Synchrony Bank 12-month CD pays 4.10% APY with no minimum deposit. Rates change frequently; confirm on the Synchrony website before opening.
Is the Synchrony 1-Year CD FDIC-insured?
Yes. Synchrony 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 Synchrony 1-Year CD?
$0 (no minimum). 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 days simple interest. 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 Synchrony 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?
Synchrony 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 usually sold in 2 to 10 year terms; the benchmark we track, A-rated 5-year MYGAs, topped out around 5.80% to 6.00% (AnnuityRateWatch, 9/24/2026). 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
- Synchrony 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 Synchrony 1-Year 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
We’ll email it to you. Hans replies within one business day. Privacy Policy.
Disclosure
This review reflects publicly posted bank rates and APYs as of September 25, 2026. CD rates change frequently, confirm current rates directly with Synchrony 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. Synchrony 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 Synchrony Bank for this review. No compensation has been received from Synchrony 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.