Over the past two years, interest rates on certificates of deposits (CDs) have increased substantially—in lock-step with the Fed’s rate hikes. The national deposit rate for 5-year CDs is 1.38%, up from less than 0.50% in June 2022. Yet many banks are offering rates well above that—some 5-year CDs have annual percentage yields (APYs) that exceed 4%, and some 1-year CDs are offering APYs well above 5%.
CD rates had been on the rise due to the Fed’s efforts to bring inflation down. However, now that inflation has declined—from more than 9% year-over-year in the summer of 2022 to slightly more than 3% now—the Fed is planning to put the brakes on rate hikes, with plans to reduce the rate three times this year.
So, should you open a CD now or wait? It could very well be the time to buy, especially since the Fed has indicated it will likely stop raising rates and start cutting them in 2024.
What happens when the Fed raises rates
Interest rates are the Fed’s number-one tool for fighting inflation. It raises rates to cool consumer spending, which decreases demand for good and services. Higher rates, on the other hand, reduce demand and inflation.
For example, rising rates send mortgage rates higher, making it more expensive to buy a home. Credit card APRs also tend to increase, making it more expensive to carry a balance month-to-month.
Rising rates tamp down on consumer demand and increase borrowing costs for companies. This can, in turn, cause unemployment to soar as companies may resort to layoffs in response to declining revenue.
A look at CD rates since June 2022
Higher rates have big benefits for savers. Savings account and CD APYs tend to rise alongside the federal funds rate. If you’re in a position to save in today’s higher interest rate environment, investments like CDs could help accelerate your savings.
CD rates have skyrocketed over the past two years: 1-year CD rates have increased more than seven-fold, with 3-year and 5-year CDs up nearly four-fold and three-fold, respectively.
Rates will remain high for a bit longer, but it’s unclear how long. The Fed has indicated that there will three rate cuts in 2024, which means it’s unlikely that CD rates will continue to climb . Waiting to open a CD could mean missing out on some stellar rates.
Now, you can lock in high rates on both short-term and long-term CDs and, you can score some serious interest just by opting to deposit a larger lump sum into your CD.
The tables below show examples of top rates by term length. The notes column provides some of the qualifications needed to get a CD but contact the institution to receive the most up-to-date information. Rates are updated weekly on Wednesdays.
Another strategy could be to buy a 1-year CD every month and build a CD ladder. With a CD ladder, you can lock in some high APYs and stretch those top-notch yields a bit longer while having more liquidity.
Based on trends in the market for fed-funds futures, the rate could end the year between 4.5% and 4.75%. That's good news for savers: The longer the Fed keeps short-term rates high, the longer banks are likely to keep savings and CD yields high.
And when the Fed raises its target rate, banks typically follow suit and increase their interest rates—including those on CDs. That's because when the Fed's target rate goes up, the cost of borrowing from other banks increases.
"CD rates will most likely drop and drop substantially in 2024," says Robert Johnson, professor of finance at Heider College of Business at Creighton University. "The biggest reason is the likelihood of Federal Reserve rate cuts later this year."
Why it's probably time to buy a CD. Rates will remain high for a bit longer, but it's unclear how long. The Fed has indicated that a rate cut may still be coming in 2024, which means it's unlikely that CD rates will continue to climb. Waiting to open a CD could mean missing out on some stellar rates.
You can find 6% CD rates at a few financial institutions, but chances are those rates are only available on CDs with maturities of 12 months or less. Financial institutions offer high rates to compete for business, but they don't want to pay customers ultra-high rates over many years.
Since CD rates are at or near the high we are expecting to see in the near future you may want to consider a CD with a longer term. Rates are expected to drop, so locking in the highest rate for as long as possible may be your best bet to maximize returns.
Key takeaways. The national average rate for one-year CD rates will be at 1.15 percent APY by the end of 2024, McBride forecasts, while predicting top-yielding one-year CDs to pay a significantly higher rate of 4.25 percent APY at that time.
Banks and credit unions often charge an early withdrawal penalty for taking funds from a CD ahead of its maturity date. This penalty can be a flat fee or a percentage of the interest earned. In some cases, it could even be all the interest earned, negating your efforts to use a CD for savings.
While longer-term CDs may tie up your funds for years, a 6-month CD allows you to access your money relatively quickly. If you suddenly need your $5,000 for an emergency or a more lucrative investment opportunity arises, you won't have to wait years to access your funds without incurring hefty penalties.
Unlike traditional or high-yield savings accounts, which have variable APYs, most CDs lock your money into a fixed interest rate the day you open the account. That's why if you suspect that interest rates will soon drop, it can be a good idea to put money in a CD to preserve the high APY you would earn.
What is a jumbo CD? A jumbo CD is similar to a regular CD, but it requires a higher minimum deposit. While a typical CD might require a minimum of $1,000 to open, a jumbo CD usually requires a minimum of around $100,000. Because of the high minimum deposit requirement, jumbo CDs don't make sense for a lot of investors.
A jumbo CD is a certificate of deposit that traditionally requires a minimum deposit of $100,000. Some banks and credit unions offer jumbo CDs with lower minimums, such as $25,000. If that sum is far higher than the right amount for you to put into CDs, you can skip these CDs.
What was the highest CD rate historically? According to the Federal Reserve, the highest CD rate was for a three-month CD term in December 1980, which reached an average of 18.65%.
How to avoid taxes on CD interest. One way to postpone being taxed on CDs is to put them in a tax-deferred individual retirement account (IRA) or 401(k). As long as money placed in a traditional IRA is below the annual contribution limit, interest you earn may be tax deductible.
The short answer is yes. Like other bank accounts, CDs are federally insured at financial institutions that are members of a federal deposit insurance agency. If a member bank or credit union fails, you're guaranteed to receive your money back, up to $250,000, by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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