Why Raisin is the Best Place to Build a CD Ladder

What is a CD ladder?

A CD ladder splits your money across multiple CDs with different maturity dates. Giving you regular access to cash while still locking in higher rates for part of your savings.

Start with a 3 / 6 / 9 / 12-month ladder.
It keeps your longest commitment to one year, while giving you money coming due every 3 months.

Why Raisin.com? It’s built for this — access 100+ CD terms and rates across multiple partner institutions with one secure login, then open the rungs you want without bouncing between bank sites or accounts. This gives you access to $10M+ in FDIC or NCUA coverage.

👉 Start Your CD Ladder with This 3 Month CD

Step-by-Step CD Ladder Guide:

1) Decide your ladder “shape”

The Goldilock’s Shape: (recommended):
✅  3m / 6m / 9m / 12m

• Rung interval: every 3 months (quarterly access)

• Horizon: 12 months (max lockup = 1 year)

• How many rungs: 4

Not too hot, not too cold. This shape balances short term liquidity with longer term investment.

Other shapes include the barbell, or a longer rung term such as 1 year, 2 year, 3 year, 4 year, 5 year.

2) Create your Raisin login

Raisin’s flow typically looks like:

1. Create login (email/password) & Pick a CD offer
2. Complete identity verification and link a bank account to fund
3. Start earning once the deposit arrives

3) Open each rung (3, 6, 9, 12 months)

Now you’ll open four CDs—one for each term.

For each rung:

• Choose the term

• Enter the deposit amount

• Review the product terms

• Open/fund

Pro tip: If you’re nervous about liquidity, consider using a more flexible option (like a no-penalty CD) for your shortest rung when available but always confirm the product terms.

4) Maintain the ladder

Every ~3 months, one rung matures.

When it matures, you have two simple options:

Option A: Keep your ladder going

• Roll the matured funds into a new 12-month CD

• Result: you keep the “ladder rhythm” and always have something coming due every 3 months

Option B: Take the cash

• Withdraw to your external bank if you need liquidity