This article is based on reporting published by Yahoo Finance on August 14, 2026. Per the publisher's disclosure, some offers in the original piece come from advertisers who pay the publisher, which may affect which products are written about but not the recommendations made.

Where CD rates stand today

For savers looking for a secure place to store their money, a certificate of deposit (CD) can be an appealing choice: these accounts often provide higher interest rates than traditional checking and savings accounts. CD rates, however, can vary widely from one institution to another.

As of Friday, August 14, 2026, the highest CD rate available is 4.30% APY — annual percentage yield, the yearly return once compounding is taken into account. That rate is offered by Synchrony Bank on its 16-month CD.

Today's CD rates vary quite a bit across the market. In general, CD rates have been declining for some time, a trend driven by the Federal Reserve's decision to cut its benchmark rate three times in the latter part of 2024 and three more times in 2025. Even so, with the Fed leaving rates unchanged so far in 2026, some banks are still offering competitive CD rates. Because banks generally price deposit yields off the Fed's benchmark rate, the central bank's upcoming policy decisions remain the main signpost savers typically watch for where CD rates head from here.

Among institutions offering competitive rates, top rates reach about 4% APY — especially for shorter terms of one year or less.

The original article presents rate tables listing some of the best CD rates available today from the publisher's verified partners, alongside a comparison with national average rates as of August 2026, the most recent data available from the FDIC. Those national averages are much lower than today's top CD rates — a gap the publisher says highlights the importance of shopping around for the best CD rates before opening an account.

Why online banks pay the best CD rates

Online banks and neobanks are financial institutions that operate solely via the web. Because they have no branch networks, they carry lower overhead costs than traditional brick-and-mortar banks, and they are able to pass those savings on to customers in the form of higher interest rates on deposit accounts — including CDs — and lower fees. For savers comparing the best CD rates available today, an online bank is a common starting point.

Online banks are not the only financial institutions offering competitive CD rates, however. Credit unions are also worth checking. As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, credit unions return their profits to customers, who are also member-owners. Although many credit unions maintain strict membership requirements — limited to those who belong to certain associations or who work or live in certain areas — there are also several credit unions that just about anyone can join.

Weighing whether to open a CD

Whether putting money in a CD makes sense depends on a saver's goals, the publisher notes. CDs are considered a safe and stable savings vehicle: in most cases they do not lose money, they are backed by federal insurance — up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution and ownership category through the FDIC at banks, with the same standard limit through the NCUA at federally insured credit unions — and they allow savers to lock in today's best rates.

There are drawbacks to consider. Money must generally be kept on deposit for the full term; otherwise, an early withdrawal penalty applies, and the size of that penalty varies by institution and by the CD's term. Savers who want flexible access to their funds may find that a high-yield savings account or a money market account is a better choice.

Additionally, although today's CD rates are high by historical standards, they do not match the returns that could be achieved by investing money in the market. For a long-term goal such as retirement, a CD will not provide the growth needed to reach the savings goal within a reasonable time frame.

Related coverage for August 2026

Yahoo Finance's related reporting on CD rates includes:

• The best CD rates for August 2026: Earn up to 4.25% APY — the best CD rates and accounts available today, identified on the basis of interest rates, fees, and other factors, with top picks across 6-month, 1-year, 18-month, and 2-year terms.
• Best 1-year CD rates for August 2026: Lock in up to 4.1% APY for the next 12 months — a comparison of today's best 1-year CD rates, which banks offer the highest yields, and how to lock in a guaranteed return on savings.
• Best 18-month CD rates for August 2026: Earn up to 4.25% APY — 18-month CDs, described as offering a balance of solid returns and flexibility, with top rates from banks and credit unions.
• Is a certificate of deposit (CD) still a good investment? — an assessment of whether now is a good time to invest in CDs, which depends on the saver's timeline and goals.
• Best 6-month CD rates for August 2026: Earn up to 4.15% APY — how a 6-month CD allows savers to lock in a guaranteed rate without tying up money for an extended period, and which banks offer the best rates today.
• Best 2-year CD rates for August 2026: Lock in up to 4.25% through 2028 — how a 2-year CD locks in a guaranteed rate on savings for the next 24 months, and which banks offer the best rates today.

Separate coverage from the publisher also weighs the choice between a short-term and a long-term CD.

Source: Yahoo Finance — Best CD rates today, Friday, August 14, 2026: Up to 4.30% APY return available, published August 14, 2026.