Today's certificate of deposit (CD) rates remain well above the national average. The Federal Reserve cut its target interest rate three times in 2025 and has held rates steady in 2026, a decision that has rippled through deposit account rates and made the current environment an opportunity to lock in elevated rates with a CD. Because CD rates typically move in step with the Fed's benchmark rate, a prolonged hold — or future cuts — generally means today's top offers may not stay this high indefinitely, which is why savers often look at longer terms to preserve a rate for months or years. Here is a look at today's best CD rates and where to find the top offers.

Best CD rates today, Monday, August 31, 2026

As of Monday, August 31, 2026, the highest CD rate available is 4.30% APY. Synchrony Bank offers this rate on its 16-month CD, and Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers it on its 18-month CD.

National average CD rates

The rates above are among the highest available, especially compared with the national average, which is significantly lower. Online banks and credit unions generally offer more competitive rates than traditional brick-and-mortar banks.

According to the FDIC's latest data on average CD rates by term, the highest national average interest rate for CDs stands at 1.71% for a 1-year term. Today's average CD rates, however, are among the highest in nearly two decades, largely because the Federal Reserve has kept interest rates elevated in its effort to combat inflation. For context, CDs issued by FDIC-insured banks are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category, which is a key distinction from other fixed-income options that carry market risk.

How to find the best CD rates

When opening a CD, it is important to choose an account with a high APY and a term length that matches your financial goals. The following tips can help you find the best CD rates and accounts for your needs:

• Shop around: Evaluate CD rates from a variety of financial institutions and compare your options before settling on an account. CD rates can easily be compared online.
• Consider online banks: Online banks tend to have lower overhead costs, which allows them to offer higher interest rates on CDs — often the most competitive rates available.
• Check minimum deposit requirements: Higher CD rates may come with higher minimum deposit requirements, so confirm that the amount you plan to deposit aligns with the requirements needed to earn the best rate.
• Review account terms and conditions: Beyond the rate itself, look at early withdrawal penalties and auto-renewal policies. Some CDs offer more flexible terms, such as no-penalty CDs, which allow you to withdraw funds without a fee before the maturity date.
• Watch the Fed's next moves: CD rates tend to follow the direction of the Federal Reserve's benchmark rate, so statements from Fed officials and the central bank's meeting schedule are useful signals for how deposit yields may trend in the months ahead.

Related coverage

• Best 1-year CD rates for August 2026: Lock in up to 4.1% APY for the next 12 months — Compare today's best 1-year CD rates, see which banks offer the highest yields, and learn how to lock in a guaranteed return on your savings.
• Best 18-month CD rates for August 2026: Earn up to 4.25% APY — 18-month CDs offer a balance of solid returns and flexibility. Find out which banks and credit unions are offering the top 18-month CD rates.
• The best CD rates for August 2026: Earn up to 4.25% APY — The best CD rates and accounts available today, identified based on interest rates, fees, and more, across 6-month, 1-year, 18-month, and 2-year terms.
• Best 6-month CD rates for August 2026: Earn up to 4.15% APY — A 6-month CD allows you to lock in a guaranteed rate without tying up your money for an extended period. See which banks have the best 6-month CD rates today.
• Best 2-year CD rates for August 2026: Lock in up to 4.25% through 2028 — A 2-year CD locks in a guaranteed rate for the next 24 months. See which banks have the best 2-year CD rates today.
• CD rates are going up. Here's why — and how to find the best rates — Experts weigh in on whether CD rates are expected to rise this year and where they may be headed in 2026.

Source: Yahoo Finance