HANS GOLDSTEIN
CD Review Bank: Synchrony Bank Insurance: FDIC to $250K Last updated: 2026-09-25

Synchrony 5-Year CD Rate (2026)

Quick take: Synchrony’s 60-month CD pays 4.35% APY (accurate as of September 25, 2026), at the low end of the best nationally available 5-year CDs (4.35% to 4.50%, DepositAccounts, 9/25/2026). No minimum deposit but a heavy 365-day interest penalty for early withdrawal. A-rated 5-year MYGAs topped out around 5.80% to 6.00%, tax-deferred (AnnuityRateWatch, 9/24/2026); the gap is meaningful on $250K+.

Synchrony Bank CD rates, checked September 24 and 25, 2026
TermAPYSource, as of
3-Month0.25%synchrony.com, 9/24/2026
6-Month4.10%synchrony.com, 9/24/2026
9-Month3.90%synchrony.com, 9/24/2026
12-Month4.10%synchrony.com, 9/25/2026
14-Month4.15%synchrony.com, 9/25/2026
16-Month4.30%synchrony.com, 9/25/2026
18-Month4.25%synchrony.com, 9/24/2026
2-Year4.25%synchrony.com, 9/24/2026
2-Year Bump-Up3.00%synchrony.com, 9/24/2026
3-Year4.30%synchrony.com, 9/24/2026
4-Year4.00%synchrony.com, 9/24/2026
5-Year4.35%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 5-Year CD
APY
4.35%
Insurance
FDIC
Min Deposit
$0 (no minimum)
EWP
365 days simple interest
As of
2026-09-25

CD vs MYGA, after tax

What $100,000 earns in 5 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 5.95%, 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$118,826
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$7,310

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 5-year CD highlighted on this page is one of several terms Synchrony offers. Here's the full ladder so you can compare:

TermAPY
3-Month0.25%
6-Month4.10%
9-Month3.90%
12-Month4.10%
14-Month4.15%
16-Month4.30%
18-Month4.25%
2-Year4.25%
2-Year Bump-Up3.00%
3-Year4.30%
4-Year4.00%
5-Year (this page)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.

Hans Goldstein, EA
Admitted to practice before the IRS

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

  • Competitive 5-year APY (4.35%, 9/25/2026), no minimum
  • 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 5-Year CD compares to peers

At the 5-year term, this is how the CD compares with the most-shopped competitors:

Bank5-Year APY
Synchrony 60-month (9/25/2026)4.35%
Sallie Mae 60-month (posted 9/25/2026)4.50%
Barclays 60-month (9/11/2026)4.25%
Capital One 360 60-month (9/24/2026)3.60%
Top nationally available 5-year CDs (DepositAccounts, 9/25/2026)4.35-4.50%

For a broader view of top 5-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. A-rated 5-year MYGAs topped out around 5.80% to 6.00% (AnnuityRateWatch, 9/24/2026), versus Synchrony’s 4.35% (9/25/2026).

Math at $250,000 over 5 years (using simple annual compounding):

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 5-Year CD

What is the Synchrony 5-Year CD rate?

As of September 25, 2026, the Synchrony Bank 60-month CD pays 4.35% APY with no minimum deposit. Rates change frequently; confirm on the Synchrony website before opening.

Is the Synchrony 5-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 5-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?

365 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?

At the 5-year term, A-rated MYGAs topped out around 5.80% to 6.00% (AnnuityRateWatch, 9/24/2026), meaningfully above this CD. 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


Hans Goldstein, NPN 20602398

Before you lock in, get the MYGA comparison

Hans Goldstein, independent licensed insurance producer.

If you're considering the Synchrony 5-Year CD, you should see what a 5-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.

Hans Goldstein, EA
Admitted to practice before the IRS

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.

📞 Call Hans · 213-414-2808
Hans Goldstein Network
hansgoldstein.com (annuity + retirement reviews) goldsteinco.net (§453 SIS · capital gains) RLF (free SS/retirement education)
Email me when rates change Call 213-414-2808

Hans Goldstein is an Enrolled Agent, admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS. General education, not tax or legal advice for your situation.