Certificates of deposit, or CDs, are savings products that pay the customer interest in exchange for agreeing to leave their deposit with the bank or credit union for a fixed period of time. Most depository institutions offer a variety of CDs with different maturity dates; typically, the shortest ones will last three months while the longest ones range up to ten years, though five years is the longest term at most institutions. In theory, the longer the duration of the deposit, the higher the rate the institution is willing to offer. CDs are considered safe, conservative investments because their rate of return is pre-determined and guaranteed to remain locked for the full term. In addition, virtually all CDs are offered by FDIC-insured banks, or by credit unions insured through the NCUA . As a result, deposits of up to $250,000 are protected, even if the financial institution faces liquidity problems. Most CDs don't allow you to add funds after the initial deposit, making it a less favorable savings vehicle for those who wish to make periodic contributions. But CD accounts are well-suited for parking cash you won't need for a while and that you want invested reliably and essentially risk-free. Usually, CDs are set to automatically renew at maturity. But you'll be notified of the maturity date in advance and given the opportunity to tell the bank you'd like to do something different with the money, such as withdraw it or transfer it to another institution. Fortunately, if you miss the maturity date by a few days, most banks and credit unions afford a grace period of a few days during which you can still withdraw your funds without penalty. It's important to note that CD rates can vary significantly from one bank or credit union to another. Indeed, the top certificate rates nationwide are typically three and five times the industry average for a CD of the same duration. So it's critical you shop around.

When Is a 3-Year CD a Good Idea?

The main reason to consider a CD that's three years in length is because it fits your personal timeline. Maybe you know you can lock up the funds for that number of years because it's money for a student going to college further down the road than that, or its surplus savings you know you won't need to touch for a long time because you have other savings you can tap in the meantime. Another reason to buy a 3-year CD is if you are building a 5-year CD ladder , which involves buying an array of different CD terms, in yearly durations of up to five years, so that you always have on CD maturing every year. To create a 5-year CD ladder, you'll need one 3-year CD for the group.

How Are CD Rates Determined?

The rate paid on CDs is determined by each bank and credit union and involves their particular need for deposits and the time horizon of their deposit strategy. However, the actions of the Federal Reserve loom large in the equation. The federal funds rate , which is determined by the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee, influences how much banks have to pay in order to borrow from each other. That, in turn, influences how much individual depository institutions are willing to pay consumers for their deposit funds. When the Fed's rate is low, banks will offer lower yields on interest-bearing accounts. When interest rates go up, however, they tend to pay higher rates in order to attract customers.

What if I Need to Withdraw My Money Early?

To provide a disincentive to CD holders from taking their money out of the account before maturity, all banks and credit unions have an early withdrawal penalty policy. Withdrawing early will cause you to forfeit some of your interest earnings—three to 12 months' worth of interest is common—but the penalties vary widely by institution, with some harsh enough to eat into your original principal. Some banks and credit unions offer penalty-free CDs, although they typically offer a lower rate and may be "all or nothing" propositions. If that's the case, you would need to pull out your entire balance and close the account if you want to withdraw early. Because of their lower rates, no penalty-free options make the cut in our ranking of the top-paying nationally available 3-years CDs.

How Can I Join a Credit Union on the List?

Unlike banks, credit unions are created to serve the needs of a specific community. In many cases, that means restricting membership to the residents of a certain area or to the employees of a particular company or group of companies. However, some credit unions make it fairly easy for non-local individuals to join. For example, the institution may allow you to attain membership by making a donation to its foundation or a nonprofit in its community, or by joining a financial literacy or consumer protection organization like the American Consumer Council. The process of joining is also typically very easy, and it is often indistinguishable from the process of opening an account with a new bank. Being open to credit union membership is a smart move for CD shoppers, as many of the best nationwide rates are offered by credit unions.

Financial Institutions We Review

We researched and reviewed over 250 banks, credit unions, and financial institutions to find the best CD rates you see above on this list. While we write individual reviews for most, we do not always write reviews for those we would not recommend. Below are the banks, credit unions, and financial institutions we researched along with links to individual company reviews to help you learn more before making a decision: 1st Source Bank, 5star Bank, ableBanking, Abound Credit Union, Achieva Credit Union, Affinity Federal Credit Union, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, Air Force Federal Credit Union, Alabama Credit Union, Allegacy Federal Credit Union, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank , Amerant Bank, American 1 Credit Union, American Express, American Heritage Credit Union, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Apple Federal Credit Union, Banco do Brasil Americas, Banesco USA, Bank of Baroda, Bank5 Connect, Bank7, Texas Capital Bank, bankESB (Easthampton Savings Bank), BankUnitedDirect, Barclays , BBVA Bank, Bellco Credit Union, Blue Federal Credit Union, BMO , BMO Alto, BrioDirect , Cadets Federal Credit Union, California Coast Credit Union, Capital One , Capitol Federal Savings Bank, CD Bank, CFG Bank, Chase Bank , Chevron Federal Credit Union, CIBC (Agility Banking), CIT Bank , Citibank , Citizens Access, Citizens Trust Bank, Colorado Federal Savings Bank, Bread Savings , Communitywide Federal Credit Union, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Corporate America Federal Credit Union (CAFCU), Credit Union of Denver, Credit Union of the Rockies, Digital, Federal Credit Union, Discover Bank , DollarSavingsDirect, Dover Federal Credit Union, Dow Credit Union, Evergreen Bank Group, RocklandTrust Bank, Elements Financial, EmigrantDirect.com, Liberty Federal Credit Union, Fidelity Investments , Financial Partners Credit Union, Financial Resources Federal Credit Union, First Financial Credit Union, First Financial Northwest Bank, First Internet Bank, First National Bank of America, First Technology Federal Credit Union, Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union, Garden Savings Federal Credit Union, Georgia Banking Company, Georgia's Own Credit Union, GreenState Credit Union, Greenwood Credit Union, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, GTE Financial, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company, Hanscom Federal Credit Union, Heritage Bank, Hiway Federal Credit Union, Home Loan Investment Bank, Home Savings Bank, Hope Credit Union, HSBC Direct, Hughes Federal Credit Union, Hyperion Bank, Ideal Credit Union, iGObanking, Interior Federal Credit Union, Justice Federal Credit Union, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, KS State Bank, La Capitol Federal Credit Union, Lafayette Federal Credit Union, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Langley Federal Credit Union, Latino Community Credit Union, Limelight Bank, Live Oak Bank, Luther Burbank Savings, MYSB Direct, MAC Federal Credit Union, Main Street Bank, MainStreet Bank, MapleMark Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Market USA Federal Credit Union, Matadors Community Credit Union, MECU Credit Union, Merrick Bank, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, Mills42 Federal Credit Union, Mountain America Credit Union, MTC Federal Credit Union, MutualOne Bank, My Banking Direct, My eBanc, My Savings Direct, NASA Federal Credit Union, Nationwide by Axos Bank , Navy Federal Credit Union , nbkc, NexBank, North Country Savings Bank, Northern Bank Direct, Northfield Bank, Northpointe Bank, Nuvision Federal Credit Union, Oklahoma Central Credit Union, One American Bank, OneUnited Bank, Pacific National Bank, Paramount Bank, PARDA Federal Credit Union, Partner Colorado Credit Union, Patelco Credit Union, Pen Air Federal Credit Union, PenFed Credit Union , People's Credit Union, First Service Credit Union, Pinnacle Federal Credit Union, Popular Direct , Premier America Credit Union, Presidential Bank, FSB, Prime Alliance Bank, PSECU (Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union), Quontic Bank, Quorum Federal Credit Union, Rising Bank, Merrimack Valley Credit Union, Salal Credit Union, Sallie Mae Bank , Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union, Signature Federal Credit Union, Spectrum Credit Union, SRP Federal Credit Union, State Bank of India Chicago, State Bank of India New York, State Bank of Texas, State Department Federal Credit Union, Summit Credit Union, Sun East Federal Credit Union, Superior Choice Credit Union, Synchrony Bank , TAB Bank, Teachers Federal Credit Union, Technology Credit Union, The Federal Savings Bank, Third Federal Savings & Loan , EverBank , TotalDirectBank, Transportation Federal Credit Union, TruStone Financial Credit Union, UNIFY Financial Credit Union, Expedition Credit Union, United States Senate Federal Credit Union, United Texas Bank, University Federal Credit Union, US Bank , USAlliance Financial, USPS Federal Credit Union, Velocity Credit Union, VeraBank, Vio Bank , Virtual Bank, WebBank, Webster Bank, Wells Fargo , Western Vista Credit Union, Wings Financial Credit Union, XCEL Federal Credit Union, BankPurely, Umbrella Bank, giantbank.com, CapEd Credit Union, Zeal Credit Union, Finworth, Coastal1 Credit Union, Service Credit Union, National Cooperative Bank, Premier Members Credit Union, Bank of America , Flagstar Bank, 1st MidAmerica Credit Union, INOVA Federal Credit Union, Genisys Credit Union, Ivy Bank, Heartland Credit Union, Luana Savings Bank, Spectra Credit Union, Workers Credit Union, Credit Human, EFCU Financial, Poppy Bank, Credit One Bank, Vibrant Credit Union, CFBank, Department of Commerce Federal Credit Union, Seattle Bank, Crescent Bank, Pima Federal Credit Union, Cross River Bank, USAA , Great River Federal Credit Union, Brilliant Bank, Merchants Bank of Indiana, LendingClub , Chartway Credit Union, First Central Savings Bank, AgFed Credit Union, North American Savings Bank, Pelican State Credit Union, First Community Credit Union, Bask Bank, Skyla Credit Union, SkyOne Federal Credit Union, 3Rivers Federal Credit Union, Utah First Credit Union, Pasadena Federal Credit Union, Magnifi Financial, AloStar, Primis Bank, Farmers Insurance Federal Credit Union, Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union, Veridian Credit Union, Republic Bank, Salem Five Direct, All In Credit Union, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Federal Credit Union, Forbright Bank, Jovia Financial Credit Union, Sun Canyon Bank, Fortera Credit Union, Partners 1st Federal Credit Union, SouthEast Bank, American Bank, Newtek Bank, CBC Federal Credit Union, Vanguard , All America Bank, Amalgamated Bank, Citizens State Bank, AmBoy Direct, Republic Bank of Chicago, Oklahoma Community Credit Union, BluPeak Credit Union, Valley Direct, Bayer Heritage Federal Credit Union, First Harvest Credit Union, Orion Federal Credit Union, Wellby Financial, FedChoice Federal Credit Union, CoVantage Credit Union, Choice First Bank, Sandia Area Federal Credit Union, OMB Bank, Minnequa Works Credit Union, Securityplus Federal Credit Union, Bank of South Texas, T Bank

Best 3-Year CD Rates for April 2024

DollarSavingsDirect – 5.00% APY

Term (months): 36
Minimum deposit: $1,000
Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
About: DollarSavingsDirect is FDIC-insured as an online division of Emigrant Bank, which dates back to 1850. Emigrant Bank is headquartered in New York.

Transportation Federal Credit Union – 5.00% APY

Term (months): 36
Minimum deposit: $1,000
Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
Membership: Anyone nationwide is eligible for membership with Transportation Federal Credit Union by joining the American Consumer Council.

Hughes Federal Credit Union – 4.86% APY

Term (months): 36
Minimum deposit: $1,000
Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest ($50 minimum)
Membership: Anyone can join Hughes by donating $10 to one of three local library nonprofits and keeping at least $50 in a savings account.

Dow Credit Union – 4.81% APY

Term (months): 36
Minimum deposit: $500
Early withdrawal penalty: 12 months of interest
Membership: Anyone can join Dow Credit Union by making a $10 donation to the Midland Area Community Foundation scholarship fund during the membership application process. The credit union is based out of Midland, Michigan, and was chartered in 1937.

Luana Savings Bank – 4.76% APY

Term (months): 30
Minimum deposit: $2,000
Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
About: Luana Savings Bank was founded in 1908 in northeastern Iowa, and in addition to operating six Iowa branches, it serves nationwide customers online.

Credit Human – 4.75% APY

Term (months): 24–35
Minimum deposit: $500
Early withdrawal penalty: 9 months of interest ($50 minimum)
Membership: Anyone can join Credit Human by agreeing to a complimentary membership in the nonprofit American Consumer Council and keeping at least $5 in a member savings account.

EFCU Financial – 4.75% APY

Term (months): 30
Minimum deposit: $500
Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
Membership: Anyone can join EFCU by making a donation of any amount to the EFCU Financial Foundation and keeping at least $5 in a member savings account.

First Internet Bank – 4.66% APY

Term (months): 36
Minimum deposit: $1,000
Early withdrawal penalty: 12 months of interest
About: First Internet Bank is so-named because it claims to be the first FDIC-insured bank to operate exclusively online. Founded in 1999, it is based in the Indianapolis suburb of Fishers, Ind.

Seattle Bank – 4.65% APY

Term (months): 36
Minimum deposit: $1,000
Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
About: Established as a mortgage company in the 1940s, Seattle Bank expanded to branch banking in the early 2000s and serves online customers across the country as well as operates in downtown Seattle.

First National Bank of America – 4.65% APY

Term (months): 36
Minimum deposit: $1,000
Early withdrawal penalty: 12 months of interest
About: First National Bank of America is a Michigan-based community bank established in 1955. In addition to three branches in the state, FNBA offers online banking products to customers nationwide.

Department of Commerce Federal Credit Union – 4.60% APY*

Term (months): 24–35
Minimum deposit: $25,000
Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
Membership: Anyone can join the DCFCU by agreeing to a free membership in the nonprofit American Consumer Council.

*Rates listed in DCFCU's rate charts are 0.10% lower than what's listed here, for a minimum deposit amount of $500. But the fine print indicates that for deposits of $25,000, a 0.10% premium applies.

NexBank – 4.55% APY

Term (months): 36
Minimum deposit: $10,000
Early withdrawal penalty: 6 months of interest
Overview: Chartered in 1922, NexBank operates three branches in Dallas and serves customers nationwide with online banking.

Popular Direct – 4.55% APY

Term (months): 36
Minimum deposit: $10,000
Early withdrawal penalty: 12 months of interest
Overview: Popular Direct is the online-only arm of Popular Bank, the U.S. banking subsidiary of Popular, Inc., which was founded in 1893 and serves banking customers in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean.

Lafayette Federal Credit Union – 4.52% APY

Term (months): 36
Minimum deposit: $500
Early withdrawal penalty: 12 months of interest
Membership: Anyone can join Lafayette Federal with a $10 membership in the Home Ownership Financial Literacy Council and $50 or more held in a savings account.

Digital Federal Credit Union – 4.50% APY

Term (months): 24–35
Minimum deposit: $25,000
Early withdrawal penalty: 3 months of interest
Overview: Membership is available to anyone nationwide who joins Reach Out for Schools at a cost of $10 and maintains a $5 balance in a savings account. Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) was chartered in 1979. Its headquarters are in Massachusetts.

Fast Fact

When asked in March what they would invest in if they had an extra $10,000, 8% of Investopedia readers said they would open a CD, in fourth place behind individual stocks, ETFs, and stock index funds. That’s down from 11% in December and 9% in January. The change likely comes as stock markets have closed at new highs in 2024, with the S&P 500 closing out its best first quarter of the year since 2019. While investors may be more interested in stocks than in CDs right now, CDs are always a good option for those looking for safer investments.

Pros and Cons of a 3-Year CD

Pros

Pays a fixed, guaranteed return
Offers predictable earnings
May pay a higher rate than other options
Is safe and essentially risk-free
Can deter spending temptations

Cons

Imposes a penalty if you withdraw early
Only allows one deposit
If rates drop, you may wish you'd chosen a longer CD
If rates go up, you may wish you'd chosen a shorter CD

Pros Explained

Pays a fixed, guaranteed return: A CD's return is presented to you as the annual percentage yield (APY), and once you make your deposit, you'll be locking in that rate for the full duration of the CD. The bank cannot change the APY.
Offers predictable earnings: Because you'll know the fixed rate, you can calculate exactly how much your CD will be worth at maturity. Changes in financial markets or other news will not impact your earnings.
May pay a higher rate than other options: In some rate environments, you can earn a higher interest rate the longer you're willing to commit your funds, so stretching to three years may give you a rate premium over 2-year options. (It's not always true, though, so be sure to shop around.)
Is safe and essentially risk-free: If you open your CD at an FDIC-insured bank or NCUA-insured credit union, your CD deposits of up to $250,000 per person and per institution are protected, even if the institution fails.
Can deter spending temptations: Because you can't make withdrawals from a CD without paying a penalty, you may be dissuaded from spending your savings on unplanned purchases.

Cons Explained

Imposes a penalty if you withdraw early: If you need your funds before maturity, you can cash out, but you'll be charged an early withdrawal penalty. The amount of that penalty will be spelled out in your CD agreement, which you should review before committing your funds, as penalty policies can vary widely across institutions.
Only allows one deposit: Most CDs are designed to take one initial deposit that is kept on hold through the CD's term. Only niche "add-on" CDs offer the ability to deposit additional funds.
If rates drop, you may wish you'd chosen a longer CD: If rates go down after you lock-in your 3-year yield, you may wish you'd gone for a 4- or 5-year term instead, to extend your guaranteed rate further into the future.
If rates go up, you may wish you'd chosen a shorter CD: If you open a 3-year CD rate and then rates climb higher, you may wish you had opted for a shorter CD, enabling you to get out of your current rate sooner and open a new CD at a higher rate.

Compare the Best 3-Year CDs

Institution	Rate (APY)	Term	Minimum Deposit	Early Withdrawal Penalty
DollarSavingsDirect	5.00%	36 months	$1,000	6 months of interest
Transportation Federal Credit Union	5.00%	36 months	$1,000	6 months of interest
Hughes Federal Credit Union	4.86%	36 months	$1,000	6 months of interest ($50 minimum)
Dow Credit Union	4.81%	36 months	$500	12 months of interest
Luana Savings Bank	4.76%	30 months	$2,000	6 months of interest
Credit Human	4.75%	24–35 months	$500	9 months of interest ($50 minimum)
EFCU Financial	4.75%	30 months	$500	6 months of interest
First Internet Bank	4.66%	36 months	$1,000	12 months of interest
Seattle Bank	4.65%	36 months	$1,000	6 months of interest
First National Bank of America	4.65%	36 months	$1,000	12 months of interest
Department of Commerce Federal Credit Union	4.60%	24–35 months	$25,000	6 months of interest
NexBank	4.55%	36 months	$10,000	6 months of interest
Popular Direct	4.55%	36 months	$10,000	12 months of interest
Lafayette Federal Credit Union	4.52%	36 months	$500	12 months of interest
Digital Federal Credit Union	4.50%	24–35 months	$25,000	3 months of interest

Alternatives to 3-Year CDs

Shorter-Term CDs

If you're not entirely confident you can leave the funds on deposit for a full three years, opening a certificate with a shorter term may be a better choice. Also, sometimes you can score a higher rate on a shorter CD than a longer one. It depends on the current rate environment, and also what promotional CDs might be available in the marketplace.

If you open a shorter-term CD, you can always cash it in when it matures and open a new CD. But you may find that rates have dropped. If rates are higher, that's great news. But if rates are lower than when you opened your initial CD, you may wish you'd locked in your rate for three years instead of opting for a shorter term.

High-Yield Savings and Money Market Accounts

Putting your money in a savings or money market account offers much more flexibility than a CD, with no risk of an early withdrawal penalty. You'll also be able to add and withdraw funds more or less as you like. The trade-off is that interest rates on liquid accounts can change at any time. So if rates are declining, the annual percentage yield on your high-yield savings or money market account will almost certainly go down, while any rate on a CD will hold.

In addition, liquid accounts don't always offer as high a return as CDs. By committing your funds to a CD term, you can usually boost your earnings, and sometimes quite substantially.

Bond Products

You can also opt to invest your funds in bonds or bond funds. Some, like U.S. Treasury savings bonds and Treasury notes, are very similar to CDs in that the rate is typically predictable if you hold the bond until maturity. They are also backed by the federal government, so like CDs, they are exceptionally safe.

U.S. Treasury I bonds, however, only have a fixed rate for six months at a time. Twice a year, the rate is adjusted based on the current inflation rate (hence the name I bonds). Like a CD, I bonds have an early withdrawal penalty, but it's a mild three months' worth of interest. But unlike a CD, you cannot cash in an I bond during its first 12 months for any reason.

Other bond options are municipal and corporate bonds of various lengths. But the easiest way for most people to buy these is through a bond mutual fund or bond ETF (exchange-traded fund) that bundles many bonds together. Some of these even include hundreds or thousands of bonds in a certain category, making them an index fund of bonds. By going this route, you can make investments and withdrawals at will, rather than having to be concerned with maturity dates.

The Stock Market

If you know you won't need your funds for three years, you could consider investing in stocks instead. The upside is that you could potentially earn quite a bit more in the stock market than with a fixed 3-year CD rate.

But beware the notable downside, which is that you can always lose money in the stock market, including scenarios where you lose most of your investment. Stocks are an excellent investment over long periods of time. But for a time horizon of just three years, there is no guarantee your investment will grow, or even retain its value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a 3-year CD?

Certificates of deposit, or CDs, are savings products that pay the customer interest in exchange for agreeing to leave their deposit with the bank or credit union for a fixed period of time.
Most depository institutions offer a variety of CDs with different maturity dates; typically, the shortest ones will last three months while the longest ones range up to ten years, though five years is the longest term at most institutions. In theory, the longer the duration of the deposit, the higher the rate the institution is willing to offer.
CDs are considered safe, conservative investments because their rate of return is pre-determined and guaranteed to remain locked for the full term. In addition, virtually all CDs are offered by FDIC-insured banks, or by credit unions insured through the NCUA. As a result, deposits of up to $250,000 are protected, even if the financial institution faces liquidity problems.
Most CDs don't allow you to add funds after the initial deposit, making it a less favorable savings vehicle for those who wish to make periodic contributions. But CD accounts are well-suited for parking cash you won't need for a while and that you want invested reliably and essentially risk-free.
Usually, CDs are set to automatically renew at maturity. But you'll be notified of the maturity date in advance and given the opportunity to tell the bank you'd like to do something different with the money, such as withdraw it or transfer it to another institution. Fortunately, if you miss the maturity date by a few days, most banks and credit unions afford a grace period of a few days during which you can still withdraw your funds without penalty.
It's important to note that CD rates can vary significantly from one bank or credit union to another. Indeed, the top certificate rates nationwide are typically three and five times the industry average for a CD of the same duration. So it's critical you shop around.
When Is a 3-Year CD a Good Idea?

The main reason to consider a CD that's three years in length is because it fits your personal timeline. Maybe you know you can lock up the funds for that number of years because it's money for a student going to college further down the road than that, or its surplus savings you know you won't need to touch for a long time because you have other savings you can tap in the meantime.
Another reason to buy a 3-year CD is if you are building a 5-year CD ladder, which involves buying an array of different CD terms, in yearly durations of up to five years, so that you always have on CD maturing every year. To create a 5-year CD ladder, you'll need one 3-year CD for the group.
How Are CD Rates Determined?

The rate paid on CDs is determined by each bank and credit union and involves their particular need for deposits and the time horizon of their deposit strategy. However, the actions of the Federal Reserve loom large in the equation. The federal funds rate, which is determined by the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee, influences how much banks have to pay in order to borrow from each other. That, in turn, influences how much individual depository institutions are willing to pay consumers for their deposit funds.
When the Fed's rate is low, banks will offer lower yields on interest-bearing accounts. When interest rates go up, however, they tend to pay higher rates in order to attract customers.
What if I Need to Withdraw My Money Early?

To provide a disincentive to CD holders from taking their money out of the account before maturity, all banks and credit unions have an early withdrawal penalty policy. Withdrawing early will cause you to forfeit some of your interest earnings—three to 12 months' worth of interest is common—but the penalties vary widely by institution, with some harsh enough to eat into your original principal.
Some banks and credit unions offer penalty-free CDs, although they typically offer a lower rate and may be "all or nothing" propositions. If that's the case, you would need to pull out your entire balance and close the account if you want to withdraw early. Because of their lower rates, no penalty-free options make the cut in our ranking of the top-paying nationally available 3-years CDs.
How Can I Join a Credit Union on the List?

Unlike banks, credit unions are created to serve the needs of a specific community. In many cases, that means restricting membership to the residents of a certain area or to the employees of a particular company or group of companies.
However, some credit unions make it fairly easy for non-local individuals to join. For example, the institution may allow you to attain membership by making a donation to its foundation or a nonprofit in its community, or by joining a financial literacy or consumer protection organization like the American Consumer Council. The process of joining is also typically very easy, and it is often indistinguishable from the process of opening an account with a new bank.
Being open to credit union membership is a smart move for CD shoppers, as many of the best nationwide rates are offered by credit unions.
Financial Institutions We Review

We researched and reviewed over 250 banks, credit unions, and financial institutions to find the best CD rates you see above on this list. While we write individual reviews for most, we do not always write reviews for those we would not recommend. Below are the banks, credit unions, and financial institutions we researched along with links to individual company reviews to help you learn more before making a decision:
1st Source Bank, 5star Bank, ableBanking, Abound Credit Union, Achieva Credit Union, Affinity Federal Credit Union, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, Air Force Federal Credit Union, Alabama Credit Union, Allegacy Federal Credit Union, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amerant Bank, American 1 Credit Union, American Express, American Heritage Credit Union, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Apple Federal Credit Union, Banco do Brasil Americas, Banesco USA, Bank of Baroda, Bank5 Connect, Bank7, Texas Capital Bank, bankESB (Easthampton Savings Bank), BankUnitedDirect, Barclays, BBVA Bank, Bellco Credit Union, Blue Federal Credit Union, BMO, BMO Alto, BrioDirect, Cadets Federal Credit Union, California Coast Credit Union, Capital One, Capitol Federal Savings Bank, CD Bank, CFG Bank, Chase Bank, Chevron Federal Credit Union, CIBC (Agility Banking), CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Trust Bank, Colorado Federal Savings Bank, Bread Savings, Communitywide Federal Credit Union, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Corporate America Federal Credit Union (CAFCU), Credit Union of Denver, Credit Union of the Rockies, Digital, Federal Credit Union, Discover Bank, DollarSavingsDirect, Dover Federal Credit Union, Dow Credit Union, Evergreen Bank Group, RocklandTrust Bank, Elements Financial, EmigrantDirect.com, Liberty Federal Credit Union, Fidelity Investments, Financial Partners Credit Union, Financial Resources Federal Credit Union, First Financial Credit Union, First Financial Northwest Bank, First Internet Bank, First National Bank of America, First Technology Federal Credit Union, Fort Bragg Federal Credit Union, Garden Savings Federal Credit Union, Georgia Banking Company, Georgia's Own Credit Union, GreenState Credit Union, Greenwood Credit Union, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, GTE Financial, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company, Hanscom Federal Credit Union, Heritage Bank, Hiway Federal Credit Union, Home Loan Investment Bank, Home Savings Bank, Hope Credit Union, HSBC Direct, Hughes Federal Credit Union, Hyperion Bank, Ideal Credit Union, iGObanking, Interior Federal Credit Union, Justice Federal Credit Union, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, KS State Bank, La Capitol Federal Credit Union, Lafayette Federal Credit Union, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Langley Federal Credit Union, Latino Community Credit Union, Limelight Bank, Live Oak Bank, Luther Burbank Savings, MYSB Direct, MAC Federal Credit Union, Main Street Bank, MainStreet Bank, MapleMark Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Market USA Federal Credit Union, Matadors Community Credit Union, MECU Credit Union, Merrick Bank, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, Mills42 Federal Credit Union, Mountain America Credit Union, MTC Federal Credit Union, MutualOne Bank, My Banking Direct, My eBanc, My Savings Direct, NASA Federal Credit Union, Nationwide by Axos Bank, Navy Federal Credit Union, nbkc, NexBank, North Country Savings Bank, Northern Bank Direct, Northfield Bank, Northpointe Bank, Nuvision Federal Credit Union, Oklahoma Central Credit Union, One American Bank, OneUnited Bank, Pacific National Bank, Paramount Bank, PARDA Federal Credit Union, Partner Colorado Credit Union, Patelco Credit Union, Pen Air Federal Credit Union, PenFed Credit Union, People's Credit Union, First Service Credit Union, Pinnacle Federal Credit Union, Popular Direct, Premier America Credit Union, Presidential Bank, FSB, Prime Alliance Bank, PSECU (Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union), Quontic Bank, Quorum Federal Credit Union, Rising Bank, Merrimack Valley Credit Union, Salal Credit Union, Sallie Mae Bank, Santa Clara County Federal Credit Union, Signature Federal Credit Union, Spectrum Credit Union, SRP Federal Credit Union, State Bank of India Chicago, State Bank of India New York, State Bank of Texas, State Department Federal Credit Union, Summit Credit Union, Sun East Federal Credit Union, Superior Choice Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, Teachers Federal Credit Union, Technology Credit Union, The Federal Savings Bank, Third Federal Savings & Loan, EverBank, TotalDirectBank, Transportation Federal Credit Union, TruStone Financial Credit Union, UNIFY Financial Credit Union, Expedition Credit Union, United States Senate Federal Credit Union, United Texas Bank, University Federal Credit Union, US Bank, USAlliance Financial, USPS Federal Credit Union, Velocity Credit Union, VeraBank, Vio Bank, Virtual Bank, WebBank, Webster Bank, Wells Fargo, Western Vista Credit Union, Wings Financial Credit Union, XCEL Federal Credit Union, BankPurely, Umbrella Bank, giantbank.com, CapEd Credit Union, Zeal Credit Union, Finworth, Coastal1 Credit Union, Service Credit Union, National Cooperative Bank, Premier Members Credit Union, Bank of America, Flagstar Bank, 1st MidAmerica Credit Union, INOVA Federal Credit Union, Genisys Credit Union, Ivy Bank, Heartland Credit Union, Luana Savings Bank, Spectra Credit Union, Workers Credit Union, Credit Human, EFCU Financial, Poppy Bank, Credit One Bank, Vibrant Credit Union, CFBank, Department of Commerce Federal Credit Union, Seattle Bank, Crescent Bank, Pima Federal Credit Union, Cross River Bank, USAA, Great River Federal Credit Union, Brilliant Bank, Merchants Bank of Indiana, LendingClub, Chartway Credit Union, First Central Savings Bank, AgFed Credit Union, North American Savings Bank, Pelican State Credit Union, First Community Credit Union, Bask Bank, Skyla Credit Union, SkyOne Federal Credit Union, 3Rivers Federal Credit Union, Utah First Credit Union, Pasadena Federal Credit Union, Magnifi Financial, AloStar, Primis Bank, Farmers Insurance Federal Credit Union, Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union, Veridian Credit Union, Republic Bank, Salem Five Direct, All In Credit Union, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Federal Credit Union, Forbright Bank, Jovia Financial Credit Union, Sun Canyon Bank, Fortera Credit Union, Partners 1st Federal Credit Union, SouthEast Bank, 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How We Find the Best 3-Year CD Rates

Every business day, Investopedia tracks the rate data of more than 200 banks and credit unions that offer CDs to customers nationwide, and determines daily rankings of the top-paying certificates in every major term. To qualify for our lists, the institution must be federally insured (FDIC for banks, NCUA for credit unions), and the CD's minimum initial deposit must not exceed $25,000.

Banks must be available in at least 40 states. And while some credit unions require you to donate to a specific charity or association to become a member if you don't meet other eligibility criteria (e.g., you don't live in a certain area or work in a certain kind of job), we exclude credit unions whose donation requirement is $40 or more. For more about how we choose the best rates, read our full methodology.

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