If you haven’t kept up on the best certificates of deposit (CDs) lately, online banks are dominating the industry. It’s not difficult to find APY exceeding 3.50%.
Popular Direct, an online division of Popular Bank, currently offers CDs with almost bewilderingly generous returns. However, the caveat is its less-than-accessible minimum opening deposit (we’ll cover that in a minute).
Popular Direct is far from a full-service bank. You won’t find many other account options—it does offer an excellent high-yield savings account—but if you’re simply looking for a low-volatility investment option for your money, Popular Direct’s CDs are hard to outclass.
Rates are current as of Jan. 2, 2026 and are subject to change.
Popular Direct CD rates and products
Popular Direct keeps its CD options simple. You won’t find alternative CDs like flexible, jumbo, business, or IRA CDs. It’s laser-focused on providing elevated APYs for standard CDs.
You’ll find eight standard CD terms ranging from three to 60 months. Every single term earns over 4.00% APY as of this writing. That’s virtually unheard of, and it makes the bank a top-tier choice for CD laddering—if you can pony up the $10,000 minimum opening deposit required for each CD.
Popular Direct standard CD rates
Bank details checked Jan. 2, 2026
Compare Popular Direct to top competitors
Popular Direct’s CD rates are some of the best in the business, but it’s possible to find rates incrementally higher for some terms. Here’s a quick look at some of Popular Direct’s competition—all of which come with more convenient minimum opening deposit requirements.
 Popular Direct |  Ally Bank |  Northern Bank Direct |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 3 months | 3 months |
| 3.90% | 2.90% | 4.00% |
| 6 months | 6 months | 6 months |
| 4.00% | 3.30% | 4.00% |
| 9 months | 9 months | 9 months |
| N/A | 3.30% | 3.50% |
| 12 months | 12 months | 12 months |
| 4.17% | 3.70% | 3.25% |
| 18 months | 18 months | 18 months |
| 3.30% | 3.50% | 3.50% |
| Learn more | Learn more | Learn more |
| View offer at MoneyLion | View offer at MoneyLion | View offer at Northern Bank Direct |
Bank details checked Jan. 2, 2026.
Learn more: Check out our full roundups of Discover CD rates and Northern Bank Direct CD rates.
Learn more about Popular Direct
Popular Direct operates as the digital corner of Popular Bank, which is a subsidiary of financial institution Popular, Inc. which was founded in 1893. In terms of assets, it ranks as one of the 50 largest banks in the U.S. It also serves Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
Popular Direct was itself launched in 2016. It’s an online-only platform that offers extremely limited banking services (CDs and high-yield savings accounts exclusively). Its low overhead allows it to offer some of the absolute best APYs you’ll find anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum deposit required for Popular Direct CDs?
The minimum deposit required for Popular Direct CDs is $10,000.
Are Popular Direct CDs FDIC insured?
Popular Direct CDs are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per account holder.
How long is Popular Direct’s CD grace period?
Popular Direct’s CD grace period is 10 days.
What happens when a Popular Direct CD matures?
When a Popular Direct CD matures, it’s automatically renewed for the same account term unless you stipulate otherwise. You’ll have a 10-day grace period after renewal to make a change.
What is Popular Direct’s customer service like for CD accounts?
Again, Popular Direct doesn’t itself have physical locations. But you can reach its customer care center seven days a week by calling 800-274-5696. Customer service is available from Monday to Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 12 a.m. ET and on Saturday and Sunday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET.
