How to Find a High-Yield CD in November 2025
Certificates of Deposit (CDs) are a crucial tool for conservative U.S. savers, offering a guaranteed return in exchange for locking up funds for a set term. With interest rates stabilized in late 2025, finding the best CD requires knowing where to look and which terms offer the greatest value.
The Current CD Landscape in November 2025
The Federal Reserve's rate hikes have pushed CD Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) to their highest levels in over a decade. The key strategy now is **locking in these high yields** before the market anticipates future rate cuts (which would cause CD rates to drop).
- **Best Rates:** Typically found at **Online Banks** and **Credit Unions**, not traditional brick-and-mortar banks.
- **Best Terms:** Often, the highest APYs are found in **intermediate terms** (9 months, 12 months, or 18 months), as banks compete aggressively for short-term funds.
- **Safety:** All competitive CDs should be **FDIC-insured** (banks) or **NCUA-insured** (credit unions) up to $250,000 per depositor.
3 Steps to Finding the Top CD Rates
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**Focus on Online Banks and Credit Unions.**
Traditional banks (Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America) use high-yield CDs as a loss-leader or not at all. You must look at online-only institutions (e.g., Ally, Discover, Marcus) and local/national Credit Unions (e.g., Alliant, PenFed) for the top APYs (often 4.5% to 5.5%+).
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**Compare Intermediate Terms (9-18 Months).**
Don't assume the longest term (5 years) offers the highest rate. In late 2025, banks are often paying more for 12-month funds than for 5-year funds, reflecting the market's expectation that rates will fall eventually. **Target 9-month or 12-month CDs** for the highest current APY.
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**Watch Out for Minimum Deposits and Hidden Fees.**
Check for minimum deposits ($0 to $1,000 is common) and, more importantly, the **early withdrawal penalty (EWP)**. The EWP is usually forfeiture of 3 to 6 months' worth of interest, which is the key risk of using a CD.
The Smart Strategy: CD Laddering 🪜
If you're unsure where interest rates are headed, the best way to hedge your bets and keep access to your cash is through a **CD Ladder**.
How to Build a CD Ladder
Instead of putting all your money into one 5-year CD, divide your total CD savings into equal portions and invest them across staggered maturity dates:
- **Example:** If you have $25,000, you buy:
- $5,000 in a 1-year CD
- $5,000 in a 2-year CD
- $5,000 in a 3-year CD
- $5,000 in a 4-year CD
- $5,000 in a 5-year CD
When the 1-year CD matures, you take that $5,000 plus interest and reinvest it into a **new 5-year CD** at the then-current rate. This ensures a portion of your cash becomes liquid every year, giving you the flexibility to reinvest at the best current rate or use the cash if needed.
Click here for our full guide on maximizing your CD laddering returns.
We have a real-time list of the highest-yielding, FDIC-insured CDs available to U.S. consumers this month.
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