Best CD Rates 2026 — Compare Top Certificate of Deposit Accounts
Compare the best CD rates for 2026 — Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Ally Bank, Synchrony Bank, Discover Bank, and CIT Bank — to find the right term and rate for your savings timeline.
Certificates of Deposit (CDs) let you lock in a fixed interest rate for a specific term — typically 3 months to 5 years. In 2026, top CD rates range from 3.50% (1-year) to 4.25% (5-year), with the yield curve showing higher rates for longer terms. CDs are FDIC-insured and ideal for money you won't need for a specific timeframe.
Real-world strategy: A CD ladder spreads $25,000 across 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 4-year, and 5-year CDs ($5,000 each). As each CD matures, you reinvest at the current rate. This gives you access to a portion of your money each year and captures long-term rates while staying flexible.
Quick Comparison
| Bank | 1-Year APY | 5-Year APY | Min Deposit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.75% | 4.10% | $0 | Simple, no-penalty CD options |
| Ally Bank | 3.80% | 4.25% | $0 | No-penalty CD + rate bump CD |
| Synchrony Bank | 4.00% | 4.15% | $0 | Highest short-term rates |
| Discover Bank | 3.60% | 4.00% | $2,500 | 24/7 customer service |
| CIT Bank | 4.15% | 4.30% | $1,000 | Highest full-term rates |
1. Marcus by Goldman Sachs — Best No-Fee CD Options
Rates: 3.75% (1-year) to 4.10% (5-year) | Min: $0 | Penalty: 90-180 days interest
Marcus offers high-yield CDs with no minimum deposit and no fees. Their standout product is the No-Penalty CD (11-month term, 3.50% APY) — you can withdraw your entire deposit after the first 7 days with no penalty, giving you CD-level rates with savings-account-like flexibility. Online account opening takes 5 minutes.
Why pick Marcus? No minimum deposit, straightforward terms, and the No-Penalty CD is one of the best hybrid products on the market. The backing of Goldman Sachs provides peace of mind.
Trade-off: Rates are competitive but not always the highest. No rate-bump feature.
Open a Marcus CD →2. Ally Bank — Best CD Features (No-Penalty + Rate Bump)
Rates: 3.80% (1-year) to 4.25% (5-year) | Min: $0 | Penalty: 60-150 days interest
Ally offers three CD types: Standard, No-Penalty (11-month), and Raise Your Rate (2-year or 4-year). The Raise Your Rate CD lets you request a one-time rate increase if Ally's rates go up during your term. Ally's early withdrawal penalty is among the industry's most reasonable (60 days for terms under 2 years).
Why pick Ally? The combination of No-Penalty and Raise Your Rate CDs offers unmatched flexibility. Competitive rates, no minimums, and Ally's excellent customer service and mobile app experience.
Trade-off: Standard CD rates are middle-of-the-pack. The No-Penalty CD rate is typically 0.25-0.50% below the standard 1-year rate.
Open an Ally CD →3. Synchrony Bank — Best Short-Term CD Rates
Rates: 4.00% (1-year) to 4.15% (5-year) | Min: $0 | Penalty: 90-180 days interest
Synchrony Bank consistently offers some of the highest short-term CD rates (6-month to 2-year). Their 1-year CD at 4.00% is frequently among the best nationally. Synchrony also offers a Bump Rate CD (2-year term) that lets you request a rate increase once during the term.
Why pick Synchrony? Competitive short-term rates, no minimum deposit, and useful specialty products like the Bump Rate CD. The full suite of savings products includes a high-yield savings account and money market account.
Trade-off: Longer-term rates (3-5 years) are less competitive. The Bump Rate CD typically starts at a slightly lower rate than the standard CD.
Open a Synchrony CD →4. Discover Bank — Best Customer Service
Rates: 3.60% (1-year) to 4.00% (5-year) | Min: $2,500 | Penalty: 90-180 days interest
Discover Bank offers competitive CDs backed by Discover's legendary customer service (available 24/7). With CDs ranging from 3 months to 10 years, you have the widest term range available. The $2,500 minimum is higher than competitors but standard for Discover's CD products.
Why pick Discover? 24/7 US-based customer service, widest term range available, and the Discover mobile app experience. Interest can be deposited into a Discover savings or checking account.
Trade-off: Higher minimum deposit ($2,500) and rates that are typically 0.25-0.50% below top competitors. No specialty CD products (no no-penalty, no rate bump).
Open a Discover CD →5. CIT Bank — Best Overall CD Rates
Rates: 4.15% (1-year) to 4.30% (5-year) | Min: $1,000 | Penalty: 90-180 days interest
CIT Bank offers the highest CD rates across most terms. Their No-Penalty CD (12-month, 3.75% APY) and Jumbo CD ($100K+, 4.40% 5-year) provide options for different deposit sizes. CIT Bank offers CDs from 6 months to 5 years.
Why pick CIT Bank? Consistently the highest rates across the board. The No-Penalty CD rate is competitive, and jumbo CD rates are excellent for large deposits.
Trade-off: $1,000 minimum for standard CDs. Customer service quality is mixed. No Raise Your Rate / Bump Rate option.
Open a CIT Bank CD →Which CD should you choose?
Choose Marcus for the best no-penalty CD and zero minimum. Pick Ally for the most flexibility (no-penalty + raise your rate). Go with Synchrony for the best short-term rates. Choose Discover for the best customer service and widest term selection. Pick CIT Bank to maximize rate across all terms.