You may know the American Express brand best for its valuable credit cards. However, Amex has a lot more to offer, including some generous certificates of deposit (CDs). The return rates are high and the buy-in is low—for the bank’s standard CDs, at least.
Here’s what you need to know about American Express CD rates.
Rates are current as of Sept. 8, 2025 and are subject to change.
American Express CD rates and products
American Express offers two types of CDs: standard and business. The bank keeps things simple as there are no specialty CDs such as flex, bump-up, or IRA CDs to choose from.
Each CD type from Amex comes with different term options, minimum opening deposit requirements, and even early withdrawal penalties.
Standard CDs
American Express Standard CDs come in nine different term lengths: 11, 12, 14, 18, 22, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. Because there is no required minimum opening deposit, American Express CDs could be a great option for a CD ladder.
| Minimum opening deposit | $0 |
|---|---|
| Early withdrawal penalty | -Terms of less than 12 months: 90 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount -Terms of 12 to less than 48 months: 270 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount -Terms of 48 to less than 60 months: 365 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount -Terms of 60 months or more: 540 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount |
| Partial withdrawals permitted | No partial principal withdrawals allowed |
| Additional deposits permitted | No |
| Automatic renewal | Yes |
| Renewal grace period | 10 days |
| Minimum opening deposit | |
|---|---|
| $0 | |
| Early withdrawal penalty | |
| -Terms of less than 12 months: 90 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount -Terms of 12 to less than 48 months: 270 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount -Terms of 48 to less than 60 months: 365 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount -Terms of 60 months or more: 540 days’ interest on the withdrawn amount | |
| Partial withdrawals permitted | |
| No partial principal withdrawals allowed | |
| Additional deposits permitted | |
| No | |
| Automatic renewal | |
| Yes | |
| Renewal grace period | |
| 10 days |
American Express standard CD rates
| Term length | APY |
|---|---|
| 11 months | 3.50% |
| 12 months | 3.25% |
| 14 months | 4.00% |
| 18 months | 3.85% |
| 22 months | 4.00% |
| 24 months | 3.85% |
| 36 months | 3.60% |
| 48 months | 3.60% |
| 60 months | 3.75% |
| 11 months | |
|---|---|
| APY | 3.50% |
| 12 months | |
| APY | 3.25% |
| 14 months | |
| APY | 4.00% |
| 18 months | |
| APY | 3.85% |
| 22 months | |
| APY | 4.00% |
| 24 months | |
| APY | 3.85% |
| 36 months | |
| APY | 3.60% |
| 48 months | |
| APY | 3.60% |
| 60 months | |
| APY | 3.75% |
Bank details checked Sept. 8, 2025.
Business CDs
American Express business CDs are only available to holders of an American Express business card. When you open a business CD, the spending capacity on your Amex business card will increase dollar for dollar based on the size of your CD. Amex holds it as a sort of security deposit—similar to the way a secured credit card works.
Business CDs require a substantially higher minimum opening deposit than personal CDs — $25,000, to be exact.
| Minimum opening deposit | $25,000 |
|---|---|
| Early withdrawal penalty | -Terms of 1 year or less: 90 days’ interest on the amount withdrawn -Terms of more than 1 year: 180 days’ interest on the amount withdrawn |
| Additional deposits permitted | No |
| Automatic renewal | Yes |
| Renewal grace period | 10 days |
| Minimum opening deposit | |
|---|---|
| $25,000 | |
| Early withdrawal penalty | |
| -Terms of 1 year or less: 90 days’ interest on the amount withdrawn -Terms of more than 1 year: 180 days’ interest on the amount withdrawn | |
| Additional deposits permitted | |
| No | |
| Automatic renewal | |
| Yes | |
| Renewal grace period | |
| 10 days |
American Express business CD rates
| Term length | APY |
|---|---|
| 3 months | 0.30% |
| 6 months | 3.85% |
| 12 months | 3.25% |
| 18 months | 3.85% |
| 24 months | 3.85% |
| 36 months | 3.60% |
| 48 months | 3.60% |
| 60 months | 3.75% |
| 3 months | |
|---|---|
| APY | 0.30% |
| 6 months | |
| APY | 3.85% |
| 12 months | |
| APY | 3.25% |
| 18 months | |
| APY | 3.85% |
| 24 months | |
| APY | 3.85% |
| 36 months | |
| APY | 3.60% |
| 48 months | |
| APY | 3.60% |
| 60 months | |
| APY | 3.75% |
Bank details checked Sept. 8, 2025.
Compare American Express to competitors
American Express CDs are straightforward and relatively high earning. But depending on the term you want, competing banks may offer more impressive returns. Here’s a look at American Express compared to other popular options.
 American Express |  Discover |  Northern Bank Direct |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 6 months | 6 months |
| 3.85% | 3.50% | 4.25% |
| 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
| 3.25% | 4.20% | 3.50% |
| 18 months | 18 months | 18 months |
| 3.85% | 3.80% | 3.50% |
| 24 months | 24 months | 24 months |
| 3.85% | 3.80% | 3.50% |
| 36 months | 36 months | 36 months |
| 3.60% | 3.60% | 3.50% |
| Learn more | Learn more | |
| View offer at MoneyLion | View offer at Northern Bank Direct |
Bank details checked Sept. 8, 2025
Learn more about American Express
Founded in 1850, American Express is one of the bigger banks in the U.S. The bank is based in New York but operates as an online-only financial institution.
In addition to CDs, it offers options such as checking and high-yield savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, and business lines of credit. It also operates a travel portal through which you can book airfare, rental cars, hotels and much more.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum deposit required for American Express CDs?
Personal American Express CDs don’t have a minimum deposit requirement. Business CDs require at least $25,000 to open.
Can you open an American Express CD online?
Yes, you can quickly open an American Express CD online.
How long do you have to fund an American Express CD after approval?
You must fund an American Express CD within 60 days from account approval.
Are American Express CDs FDIC insured?
Yes, American Express CDs are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per account holder per account ownership category.
Can you choose how to receive interest payments on American Express CDs?
Yes, you can choose to receive interest payments from your American Express CDs in multiple ways. You can have monthly deposits into your Amex savings account (or a separate external account), or you can request a check every month, quarter, or year.