Unless you’re specifically rifling through the internet for the best certificates of deposit with the highest payouts, you’ve likely never heard of Northern Bank Direct. A digital arm of Northern Bank—which has a handful of branch locations exclusively in Massachusetts—Northern Bank Direct doesn’t offer checking or savings accounts. It doesn’t even issue loans, credit cards, or mortgages. But, it does offer CDs with incredible annual percentage yields (APY).
Here’s everything you need to know about current Northern Bank Direct CD rates.
All rates and fees are current as of Sept. 2, 2025, and are subject to change.
Northern Bank Direct CD rates and products
Northern Bank Direct offers just a single type of CD—no flexible, IRA, jumbo, or business CDs. All to say, if you’re looking for a distinct CD for your specific financial goal, another bank or credit union may better serve you.
But, if you’re simply looking for a standard CD with a sky-high APY to earn interest on savings you don’t need access to for a while, Northern Bank Direct may have exactly what you need.
Northern Bank Direct’s standard CDs come in 10 different term lengths, ranging from six months to five years. Each term offers a different APY, with return rates between 3.50% and 4.60% as of this writing.
Northern Bank Direct standard CD rates
| Term length | APY |
|---|---|
| 6 months | 4.25% |
| 9 months | 4.00% |
| 12 months | 3.50% |
| 15 months | 3.50% |
| 18 months | 3.50% |
| 24 months | 3.50% |
| 30 months | 3.50% |
| 36 months | 3.50% |
| 48 months | 3.50% |
| 60 months | 3.50% |
| 6 months | |
|---|---|
| APY | 4.25% |
| 9 months | |
| APY | 4.00% |
| 12 months | |
| APY | 3.50% |
| 15 months | |
| APY | 3.50% |
| 18 months | |
| APY | 3.50% |
| 24 months | |
| APY | 3.50% |
| 30 months | |
| APY | 3.50% |
| 36 months | |
| APY | 3.50% |
| 48 months | |
| APY | 3.50% |
| 60 months | |
| APY | 3.50% |
Bank details checked Sept. 2, 2025
Compare Northern Bank Direct to competitors
Northern Bank Direct truly offers some of the highest APY on the market right now. Here’s a look at some popular competitors.
 Northern Bank Direct |  Discover Bank |  Ivy Bank |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 6 months | 6 months |
| 4.25% | 3.50% | 4.25% |
| 9 months | 9 months | 9 months |
| 4.00% | 3.50% | N/A |
| 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
| 3.50% | 4.00% | 4.00% |
| 18 months | 18 months | 18 months |
| 3.50% | 3.80% | N/A |
| 24 months | 24 months | 24 months |
| 3.50% | 3.60% | 3.50% |
| View offer at Northern Bank Direct | View offer at Discover | View offer at MoneyLion |
Bank details checked Sept. 2, 2025
Learn more about Northern Bank Direct
Northern Bank Direct is an online division of Northern Bank, a financial institution founded in New England in 1960. Comparatively small in relation to household-name banks like Chase and Capital One, Northern Bank holds $3.13 billion in consolidated assets as of this writing, per numbers released by the Federal Reserve.
Northern Bank offers relatively standard account options and products, including checking, savings, and mortgages.
While Northern Bank Direct itself doesn’t offer these products, it does provide certificates of deposit, money market accounts, a health savings account (HSA), and 1031 exchanges.
Frequently asked questions
How do Northern Bank Direct CD rates compare to other banks?
Northern Bank Direct CD rates are higher than most of its competitors, as far as we’ve observed.
What is the minimum deposit required for a Northern Bank Direct CD?
The minimum deposit to open a Northern Bank Direct CD is $500.
Are Northern Bank Direct CDs FDIC insured?
Yes, Northern Bank Direct CDs are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per account holder.
What happens when a Northern Bank Direct CD matures?
Northern Bank CDs will automatically renew after the account matures. However, if the bank receives no written communication by you about your account after two consecutive auto-renewals, Northern Bank Direct may decide you’ve abandoned your account and proactively close it.
What are the early withdrawal penalties for Northern Bank Direct CDs?
When you withdraw your CD before it matures, you’ll pay between six and 36 months of interest—depending on the specific term length.