Best CD rates today, March 31, 2026: Lock in up to 4.15% APY today

Deposit account fees are coming down — but the good news is you can lock in a competitive return on a certificate of deposit (CD) today and keep your earning power. In fact, the best CDs still pay interest rates above 4%. Read on for a snapshot of today’s CD rates and where to find the best deals.

CDs today offer much higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts. Currently, the best short-term CDs (six to 12 months) typically offer rates around 4% APY.

As of March 31, 2026, the CD’s maximum interest rate is 4.15% APY. This rate is offered by LendingClub on its 8-month CD.

The following is a look at some of the best CD deals available today from our trusted partners.

The 2000s were marked by the dot-com bubble and later, the global financial crisis in 2008. Although the early 2000s saw relatively high CDs, they began to decline as the economy slowed and the Federal Reserve reduced the rate it expects to stimulate growth. In 2009, after the financial crisis, one-year CDs paid about 1% APY, and five-year CDs less than 2% APY.

The downward trend in CD rates continued into the 2010s, especially after the Great Recession of 2007-2009. The Fed’s policies to stimulate the economy (in particular, its decision to keep its interest rate close to zero) have caused banks to offer very low interest rates on CDs. In 2013, the average rate on 6-month CDs dropped to about 0.1% APY, while 5-year CDs returned an average of 0.8% APY.

However, things changed between 2015 and 2018, when the Fed began to gradually increase rates again. At this point, there was little improvement in CD rates as the economy grew, marking the end of nearly a decade of extremely low rates. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 led to an emergency rate cut by the Fed, which sent CD prices down to new lows.

The situation changed after the epidemic when inflation started to get out of control. This led the Fed to raise rates 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023. In turn, this led to higher mortgage rates and higher APYs on savings products, including CDs.

Fast forward to September 2024 – The Fed finally decided to start cutting the federal funds rate after it decided that inflation was under control. The Fed has cut rates three times by 2025 and we see CD prices slowly falling from their peak. However, CD rates are still high by historical standards.

Check out how CD rates have changed since 2009:

Typically, long-term CDs have offered higher returns compared to short-term CDs. This is because locking up money for a longer period of time carries greater risk (ie, missing out on higher interest rates in the future), which banks pay higher rates for.

However, this method does not work today; the highest rate of total CD is for a period of 12 months. This indicates a flattening or deviation of the slope of yields, which can happen in uncertain economic times or when investors expect future interest rates to decrease.

Read more: Short-term or long-term CD: Which is better for you?

When opening a CD, choosing the one with the highest APY is only one piece of the puzzle. There are other factors that can affect whether a particular CD is best for your needs and your overall return. Consider the following factors when choosing a CD:

• Your goals: Decide how long you are willing to lock up your money. CDs come with fixed terms, and withdrawing your money before the end of the term can result in a penalty. Typical terms range from a few months to several years. The right time for you depends on when you expect to need access to your money.

• Type of financial institution: Fees can vary widely among financial institutions. Don’t just look at your current bank; research CD rates from online banks, local banks, and credit unions. Internet banks, in particular, often offer higher interest rates than traditional brick-and-mortar banks because they have lower costs. However, make sure that any online bank you consider is FDIC-insured (or NCUA-insured for credit unions).

• Account terms: Beyond the interest rate, understand the terms of the CD, including the maturity date and withdrawal penalties. Also, check if there is a minimum deposit requirement and if so, does it fit your budget.

• Inflation: Although CDs can provide safe, stable income, they may not always keep pace with inflation, especially over the long term. Consider this when deciding when and how much to invest.