Morsa Images/ Getty Images; Illustration by Austin Courregé/Bankrate
Bankrate tracks the best certificate of deposit (CD) rates and recent interest rate trends for you. Here are the current national average annual percentage yields (APYs) as of Saturday, January 31, 2026, according to Bankrate’s most recent survey:
- 1-year CD yield: 1.89 percent APY
- 3-year CD yield: 1.63 percent APY
- 5-year CD yield: 1.68 percent APY
What is a CD?
A certificate of deposit is a time deposit account. When using one, your money accrues interest at a fixed yield for a set period, or term. CD terms typically range from as short as a few months to as long as five years, or even longer. If you withdraw your funds before the CD’s term ends, you’ll likely be charged an early withdrawal penalty, which is typically some or all of the interest you’ve accrued.
How CD rates have changed
The national average rate for one-year and five-year CDs started to increase in February 2022, driven in part by rising Treasury yields and expectations of Federal Reserve rate increases. Since February 2023, the one-year CD average has been higher than the five-year CD average.
How the Federal Reserve impacts CD rates
At the end of 2025, the Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate three times in a row, taking it from 4.25%-4.50% to where they’re at now — 3.50-3.75%. This is the lowest it has been since Sept. 2022. And while the Fed refrained from changing the benchmark rate during the January meeting, there are still several left in 2026.
Because CD rates usually move in the same direction as Fed rates, CD rates are forecasted to dwindle through 2026 following the cuts in 2025 — though they should remain ahead of inflation. Top nationally available CD APYs remain at or above 4% in many terms, and inflation has recently been running near 3% year over year, keeping real returns positive for many savers.
With the Fed easing and inflation still moderate, it can be worth comparing CDs across maturities to lock in rates that beat inflation while they last.
Bankrate’s take:
You can lock in a competitive yield with a CD. Savings accounts, on the other hand, usually have variable APYs. In an environment where CD rates might decrease in the future, a CD is an option to consider as long as you won’t need the money during the term. It’s important to determine your time horizon for money that’s being put into a CD, since CDs generally have an early withdrawal penalty.
Latest average CD APYs: 3-month trend
Bankrate monitors the national average rates on various CD terms, including:
| Date | 1-year CD | 3-year CD | 5-year CD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/26/2026 | 1.92% | 1.61% | 1.66% |
| 1/19/2026 | 1.92% | 1.61% | 1.66% |
| 1/12/2026 | 1.94% | 1.60% | 1.67% |
| 1/5/2026 | 1.92% | 1.60% | 1.67% |
| 12/29/2025 | 1.93% | 1.60% | 1.66% |
| 12/22/2025 | 1.93% | 1.60% | 1.66% |
| 12/15/2025 | 1.93% | 1.65% | 1.69% |
| 12/8/2025 | 1.93% | 1.64% | 1.68% |
| 12/1/2025 | 1.92% | 1.65% | 1.69% |
| 11/24/2025 | 1.93% | 1.65% | 1.69% |
| 11/17/2025 | 1.93% | 1.66% | 1.69% |
| 11/10/2025 | 1.95% | 1.67% | 1.70% |
| 11/3/2025 | 1.96% | 1.67% | 1.70% |
How Bankrate calculates the national average
Bankrate has made enhancements to our national averages database on April 14, 2025, including ones that retroactively impact previous weeks’ listings in our table. Previous enhancements were also made in January 2025. Up to 1,300 banks and credit unions are surveyed weekly to generate the national averages. Among these institutions are those that are broadly available and offer high yields, as well as some of the nation’s largest banks.
Bankrate insight
Bankrate’s best CD rates can help you compare CD yields and find the right one for you.
Compare CD rates by term for January 2026
Current 6-month CD rates
- Alliant — 4.10% APY
- E*TRADE — 4.05% APY
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 4.05% APY
- LimelightBank — 4.00% APY
- Bread Savings — 4.00% APY
See additional best 6-month CD rates.
Current 1-year CD rates
- E*TRADE — 4.10% APY
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 4.00% APY
- LimelightBank — 4.00% APY
- Alliant — 4.00% APY
- Popular Direct — 4.00% APY
See additional best 1-year CD rates.
Current 3-year CD rates
- Sallie Mae — 3.95% APY
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 3.90% APY
- TAB Bank — 3.75% APY
- Colorado Federal Savings Bank — 3.75% APY
- Bread Savings — 3.70% APY
See additional best 3-year CD rates.
Current 5-year CD rates
- Sallie Mae — 4.00% APY
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 3.90% APY
- TAB Bank — 3.75% APY
- First National Bank of America — 3.75% APY
- E*TRADE — 3.70% APY
See additional best 5-year CD rates.
Note: Annual percentage yields (APYs) shown are as of Jan. 30, 2026. Bankrate’s editorial team updates this information weekly. APYs may have changed since they were last updated and may vary by region for some products.
Current CD rates FAQs
Learn more to maximize your earnings
Why we ask for feedback
Your feedback helps us improve our content and services. It takes less than a minute to
complete.
Your responses are anonymous and will only be used for improving our website.
Help us improve our content
Read the full article here
