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Q

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We believe everyone should have free access to information in order to make smarter financial decisions. Although our site doesn’t showcase every company or financial product available in the market today, we're confident in our recommendations, many of which are from our advertising partners, to help guide you on your financial journey. Free of charge for you.

Instead of charging you money, we're compensated by our partners and third-party advertisers. This compensation, along with our proprietary algorithms, may, at times, influence the products we decide to review, discuss, and their position on our site or the order in which they appear.

This article and the comparison table are not personal financial advice. While we provide information resources and educational pieces, the content here is not a substitute for personal financial guidance from a registered financial advisor.

Best Short Term Certificate of Deposit Accounts

Conor Keenan Author Bio By: Conor Keenan  Last updated September 17, 2025
Conor Keenan, co-founder of CompareAccounts, is a notable personal finance expert with work seen in Wall Street Journal | Associated Press | Reuters | Yahoo Finance

Editorial Independence: Our opinions, reviews, and recommendations are our own. Partner commissions keep our site free, but our content remains independent.

Compare CD terms with ease, find the right one for you, and open your account in minutes.

Western Alliance Bank Powered by Raisin

5.0

CompareAccounts™ Score

APY

3.75%

4 Month Term

  • High-Yield CD
  • Min. initial deposit: $1
  • Term: 4 Months
  • 3.75% APY
  • FDIC Insured up to $250,000
  • No Monthly Fees
  • Interest Compounded Daily
  • Ranked #1 Top-Performing Large Bank with Assets $50 Billion and Above in 2021, 2022, 2023, & 2024 by American Banker
  • Exclusive Offer Powered by The Raisin Platform
  • Limited Time Offer: New customers can earn a $75 bonus for $10K, $250 bonus for $25K, $500 bonus for $50K or $1,000 bonus for $100K+ deposited.
  • Use promo code EASY at sign-up.
  • See Site for Details

On Raisin's Secure Site for Western Alliance Bank,
FDIC Insured

Discover Bank Logo

4.5

CompareAccounts™ Score

APY

3.50%

9 Month CD

  • High Yield CD
  • Term: 9 Months
  • Min. Initial Deposit: $0
  • 3.50% APY
  • No Monthly Fees
  • Lock in Your CD Rate & Earn Guaranteed Interest
  • 100% U.S.-based Customer Service Available 24/7
  • Interest Compounded Daily
  • FDIC Insured up to $250,000
  • See Site For Details

On Discover Bank's Secure Site, Member FDIC

 

Western Alliance Bank Powered by Raisin

4.0

CompareAccounts™ Score

APY

4.00%

3 Month Term

  • High-Yield CD
  • Min. initial deposit: $1
  • Term: 3 Months
  • 4.00% APY
  • FDIC Insured up to $250,000
  • No Monthly Fees
  • Interest Compounded Daily
  • Ranked #1 Top-Performing Large Bank with Assets $50 Billion and Above in 2021, 2022, 2023, & 2024 by American Banker
  • Exclusive Offer Powered by The Raisin Platform
  • Limited Time Offer: New customers can earn a $75 bonus for $10K, $250 bonus for $25K, $500 bonus for $50K or $1,000 bonus for $100K+ deposited.
  • Use promo code EASY at sign-up.
  • See Site for Details

On Raisin's Secure Site for Western Alliance Bank,
FDIC Insured

Sallie Mae Powered By Raisin

4.5

CompareAccounts™ Score

APY

4.00%

14 Month Term

  • High Yield CD
  • Term: 14 Months
  • Limited Time Offer: New customers can earn a $75 bonus for $10K, $250 bonus for $25K, $500 bonus for $50K or $1,000 bonus for $100K+ deposited.
  • Use promo code EASY at sign-up.
  • 4.00% APY
  • Min. initial deposit: $1
  • No Monthly Fees
  • Exclusive Offer Powered by The Raisin Platform
  • Interest Compounded Daily
  • Customer Service is Located in New York, NY
  • FDIC Insured up to $250,000
  • Sallie Mae Bank (Member FDIC) was founded in 1972 & has almost $30 billion in total assets
  • See Site for Details

On Raisin's Secure Site for​ Sallie Mae, Member FDIC

 Compare With

Chase Bank Logo

1.0

CompareAccounts™ Score

APY

0.05%

6 Month Term

Chase Bank Details

  • Certificate of Deposit
  • Term: 6 Months
  • Minimum Opening Deposit: $10,000 for APY
  • 0.05% APY
  • Offers lower minimum deposit of $1,000 for 0.02% APY
  • Must have a linked Chase personal checking account to receive these rates. Otherwise, you'll receive 0.01% APY

Not Recommended.
Shown For Comparison Purposes Only.

 

Western Alliance Bank Powered by Raisin

5.0

CompareAccounts™ Score

APY

3.75%

6 Month Term

  • High-Yield CD
  • Min. initial deposit: $1
  • Term: 6 Months
  • 3.75% APY
  • FDIC Insured up to $250,000
  • No Monthly Fees
  • Interest Compounded Daily
  • Ranked #1 Top-Performing Large Bank with Assets $50 Billion and Above in 2021, 2022, & 2023 by American Banker
  • Exclusive Offer Powered by The Raisin Platform
  • Limited Time Offer: New customers can earn a $75 bonus for $10K, $250 bonus for $25K, $500 bonus for $50K or $1,000 bonus for $100K+ deposited.
  • Use promo code EASY at sign-up.
  • See Site for Details

On Raisin's Secure Site for Western Alliance Bank,
FDIC Insured

Discover Bank Logo

5.0

CompareAccounts™ Score

APY

4.00%

12 Month CD

  • High Yield CD
  • Term: 12 Months
  • Min. Initial Deposit: $0
  • 4.00% APY
  • No Monthly Fees
  • Lock in Your CD Rate & Earn Guaranteed Interest
  • 100% U.S.-based Customer Service Available 24/7
  • Interest Compounded Daily
  • FDIC Insured up to $250,000
  • See Site For Details

On Discover Bank's Secure Site, Member FDIC

 

 Compare With

Bank of America Logo

1.0

CompareAccounts™ Score

APY

0.03%

12 Month Term

Bank of America® Details

  • Certificate of Deposit
  • Term: 12 Months
  • Minimum Opening Deposit: $10,000
  • 0.03% APY

Not Recommended.
Shown For Comparison Purposes Only.

 

Western Alliance Bank Powered by Raisin

4.5

CompareAccounts™ Score

APY

3.55%

12 Month Term

  • High-Yield CD
  • Min. initial deposit: $1
  • Term: 12 Months
  • 3.55% APY
  • FDIC Insured up to $250,000
  • No Monthly Fees
  • Interest Compounded Daily
  • Ranked #1 Top-Performing Large Bank with Assets $50 Billion and Above in 2021, 2022, & 2023 by American Banker
  • Exclusive Offer Powered by The Raisin Platform
  • Limited Time Offer: New customers can earn a $75 bonus for $10K, $250 bonus for $25K, $500 bonus for $50K or $1,000 bonus for $100K+ deposited.
  • Use promo code EASY at sign-up.
  • See Site for Details

On Raisin's Secure Site for Western Alliance Bank,
FDIC Insured

 Compare With

Wells Fargo Logo

1.0

CompareAccounts™ Score

APY

2.00%

12 Month Term

Wells Fargo Details

  • Certificate of Deposit
  • Term: 12 Months
  • Minimum Opening Deposit: $2,500
  • 2.00% APY
  • Interest Rates Vary from State to State
  • For Terms of 12 Months+, Interest May Be Paid Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually.

Not Recommended.
Shown For Comparison Purposes Only.

 

Discover Bank Logo

4.5

CompareAccounts™ Score

APY

3.60%

24 Month CD

  • High Yield CD
  • Term: 24 Months
  • Min. Initial Deposit: $0
  • 3.60% APY
  • No Monthly Fees
  • Lock in Your CD Rate & Earn Guaranteed Interest
  • 100% U.S.-based Customer Service Available 24/7
  • Interest Compounded Daily
  • FDIC Insured up to $250,000
  • See Site For Details

On Discover Bank's Secure Site, Member FDIC

 

To recap our recommendations.

Best Certificate of Deposits According To CompareAccounts™

Western Alliance Bank® High-Yield CD: 3.75% APY - 4 Month Term - Earn up to $1,000 with Promo Code: EASY

Western Alliance Bank® High-Yield CD: 4.00% APY - 3 Month Term

Western Alliance Bank® High-Yield CD: 3.75% APY - 6 Month Term - Earn up to $1,000 with Promo Code: EASY

Sallie Mae® Bank Certificate of Deposit: 4.00% APY - 14 Month Term - Earn up to $1,000 with Promo Code: EASY

Western Alliance Bank® High-Yield CD: 3.55% APY - 12 Month Term

Customers Also Viewed: High-Yield Savings Accounts

Q

Don't Miss This High Yield Savings Account

Sallie Mae Powered By Raisin

Rating:

Sallie Mae® Bank 14 Month CD
4.00% Annual Percentage Yield
as of September 17, 2025
Member FDIC

On Raisin's Secure Site
for Sallie Mae® Bank,
Member FDIC

 

Ad Disclosure

American Express High Yield Savings Account Logo

5.0

CompareAccounts™ Score

APY

3.50%

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

  • High Yield Savings Account
  • Min. to Earn APY: $0
  • Min. to Open: $0
  • 3.50% APY
  • APY as of September 17, 2025
  • Interest Compounded Daily
  • $0 Monthly Fees
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • FDIC Insured up to $250,000
  • Backed by the Service & Reliability of American Express
  • Terms Apply
  • See Site for Details

 On American Express National Bank's Secure Site, Member FDIC

Up to $300 Bonus

SoFi Logo

5.0

CompareAccounts™ Score

up to APY

4.50%​

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

  • Checking & Savings Account
  • Min. to Open: $0
  • Bonus: up to $300 with Direct Deposit
  • Up to 4.50% APY on Savings Balances with Qualifying Activities
  • $0 Monthly Fees
  • FDIC Insured up to $250,000
  • Up to $3,000,000 of additional FDIC insurance through a network of participating banks
  • Limited Time Offer:
    +0.70% Boost to 4.50% APY for up to 6 Months on New Accounts with Eligible Direct Deposit.
  • Terms Apply
  • See Site for Details
Q

1. Up to $300 Bonus Tiered Disclosure

New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 4.50% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 4.50% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

2. APY disclosures

SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 4.50% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 4.50% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.

3. Fee Policy

We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.

4. Additional FDIC Insurance

SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/receivingbanks


5. ATM Access

We’ve partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees incurred when using out-of-network ATMs are not subject to reimbursement. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.

6. Early Access to Direct Deposit Funds
Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.

7. Overdraft Coverage

Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with Eligible Direct Deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.

8. 0.70% Savings APY Boost
Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

On SoFi's Secure Site,
Member FDIC

What to Look for in a Certificate of Deposit Account

It’s always wise to compare your options when opening a new certificate of deposit account.

Small differences in interest rates and fees can quickly add up over time, especially if you’re keeping a large balance in the account.

Here are the top features to look for and compare:

1. Interest Rate

The interest rate of a certificate of deposit is one of its most important features. However, a very high interest rate can get completely wiped out if you have to pay a penalty fee because you need to withdrawl your funds before the term is complete.

Besides interest rate, term length is the second most important factor. Other important features of your certificate of deposit account include the required initial deposit, and minimum balance required.

2. Term Length

Most banks will charge you what’s called a “penalty fee” for withdrawing your funds before the term length has been completed.

This means, that if you open a 12-month CD, but withdraw your funds within 6 months, then you’ll pay a penalty fee.

Therefore, you need to decide when you’ll need these funds again.

For any term less than a year, we recommend a high-yield savings account.

If this is your first CD account, we recommend starting with a 12 – 15 month term.

If you’ve opened a CD account in the past, then you choose which term is right for you and your unique situation.

3. Required Initial Deposit

Initial deposit is another important factor when deciding to open up a certificate of deposit. Most banks require at least a $500 initial deposit to open a CD account.

While others require much more than $500 to open the account.

Again, because the initial deposit is in the hundreds if not thousands, we recommend you open a high-yield savings account if you need these funds within a year.

What is a Short Term CD?

Short-term CDs have a maturity date that is typically within a year or less, while long-term CDs have a maturity date that is more than a year in the future.

There are a few reasons why someone might want to consider a short-term CD:

1. Higher interest rates: Short-term CDs often offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, which can help the depositor earn more money on their savings.

2. Low risk: CDs are considered to be a low-risk investment because they are FDIC-insured, which means that the depositor’s money is backed by the government up to $250,000.

3. Flexibility: Short-term CDs have a shorter term than long-term CDs, which means that the depositor can access their money sooner. This can be beneficial for someone who might need to access their savings in the near future.

4. Liquidity: CDs are considered to be a relatively liquid investment, as the depositor can typically cash in their CD before the maturity date, although there may be a penalty for doing so.

*National Savings Rate Average as published by FDIC

Q

Before You Go, Don't Miss This High Yield CD

12 Month Term

Discover Bank Logo

Rating:

APY

4.00%

On Discover Bank's Secure Site, Member FDIC