At the time of writing, the largest U.S. banks—measured by FDIC figures—are posting CD APYs that top out at 4.00%. Available terms range from three months to 14 months.
If banking with a recognizable, established institution is a priority, any of these CDs could be a strong option for your savings.
Rates accurate as of March 5, 2026.
What’s the benefit of opening a CD with a big bank?
Banks like Chase and Bank of America have earned widespread trust over many years, and that reputation matters when you’re deciding where to keep your savings. But there’s more to the equation than just a recognizable logo:
- Keep all your banking in one place. If your checking, savings, and lending products are already at one bank, opening a CD there keeps things consolidated and simple to manage.
- Often more CD options available. Major banks usually have a broader catalog of CD terms and types, although this isn’t guaranteed across the board.
- Get relationship rate bumps. Existing customers at some banks enjoy a higher APY on CDs. These loyalty perks may or may not be more competitive than what a digital bank provides—online banks typically operate with lower costs, letting them offer stronger rates. Still, online-leaning names like American Express and Capital One are highly recognizable and regularly rank among the best for CD rates as well.
What is a CD?
A certificate of deposit (CD) can be thought of as a less flexible sibling of the high-yield savings account. It often comes with an extremely generous return rate, but it limits when you can access your funds.
With a CD, you deposit a set amount and commit to a term. If you pull the money before the term ends, you’ll face early withdrawal penalties. The benefit of that commitment is a promised return rate; your APY stays the same from start to finish, regardless of what happens in the broader rate environment.
Once the CD matures, you collect your original deposit and the interest it earned. From there, you can transfer, reinvest, or simply cash out. CDs generally auto-renew at maturity, but banks provide a short grace period for you to decide on what to do with your money.
How to choose the best CD type for you
There are more CD options than just a standard fixed-rate account. Banks have specialty products that serve different financial goals. One of the following may suit your goals better than a standard CD.
- No-penalty: Withdraw early without paying a fee—at the cost of a lower APY.
- Bump-up: If the bank raises rates on your particular CD product mid-term, you can request the new rate.
- Jumbo: This refers to CDs with high minimum deposit requirements, which sometimes carry a rate premium.
- IRA: Puts your retirement savings into a CD. Fund it with current IRA assets or new contributions, keeping in mind the annual IRA contribution limit ($7,000 under age 50; $8,000 at 50 and above).
- Business: A stable investment vehicle for company funds, offered in several formats.
How to choose the best CD term for you
The term is the foundation of your CD—it defines how long your money stays locked in and what APY you’ll earn along the way.
Opting for a longer term guarantees your rate over a wider timespan, which is appealing when rates are favorable. It protects you from dips. The downside is that if better rates emerge, you can’t capitalize unless you exit early and absorb the penalty.
Narrow your decision with these two questions:
- How much time can reasonably pass before you’ll need access to this money?
- What APY does the term offer?
You can appeal to both of these details through something called a CD ladder.
What is CD laddering?
CD laddering is a strategy where you divide your investment across CDs of different lengths, creating a staggered schedule of maturity dates. That way, portions of your money free up at intervals instead of all at once.
Here’s what it could look like with $5,000 invested:
- $1,250 into a 6-month CD
- $1,250 into a 12-month CD
- $1,250 into a 18-month CD
- $1,250 into a 24-month CD
Every six months, $1,250 (plus the interest it earned) becomes available. You can spend it, save it somewhere else, or reinvest it into a new 24-month CD to continue the rotation.
The takeaway
Major banks give you the broadest choice of CD terms and account types, backed by decades of brand trust. Their rates, though, won’t always top the chart—online and smaller banks often do better there. It’s worth shopping around. Visit our post on the best certificates of deposit for the latest top rates.
Frequently asked question
Are CDs at large banks safer than CDs at smaller banks?
CDs at large banks are not really safer than CDs at smaller banks. As long as the bank is insured by the FDIC, your money is generally as safe at a small bank. If it’s a credit union, check that they’re insured by the NCUA.
How often do big-name banks change their CD rates?
Big-name banks change their CD rates regularly. You may find that some CD terms change every couple weeks—exhibiting the value of opening a long-term CD. If you see a rate that you like, best to jump on it.
Can I lose money with a CD from a big bank?
You can’t lose money with a CD from a big bank, or any bank really, in the same way that you could with a riskier investment like the stock market. That said, you might effectively “lose” money if the interest you earn is lower than the inflation rate. You won’t be able to access and reinvest your money into something more profitable until your account terms (or unless you pay fees).
Should I keep all my CDs at the same large bank or spread them around?
It’s OK to keep all your money at the same large bank as long as your deposits are covered by the FDIC. This covers up to $250,000 per account holder per ownership category. If you’ve got more than that, it’s worth spreading the money around to other banks to ensure the FDIC covers it all.
Are CD rates at big banks always lower than at smaller online banks?
CD rates at big banks are not always lower than at smaller online banks. It’s true that online banks tend to offer more consistently impressive returns than big banks due to their lack of overhead and lower operational costs. But big banks often issue a handful of APYs that rival the best rates on the market.
