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CD Rates

A CD Rate Comparison

Find the Best CD Rates Available

If you are shopping for the best CD Rates, you've come to the right place. We've searched the net for the best CD rate sources online and gathered the results with detailed information about each bank and their program. We've taken the tedious, time-consuming work out of the CD rate search process, and put all the relevant resources right at your fingertips. You are just a few clicks away from the highest CD rate that is available today.

If you currently don't have the minimum amount necessary to obtain the best CD rates, or you don't want to tie your money up for any period of time, but still desire higher rates than your local bank is offering, consider the ING DIRECT - High Yield Savings Account. Rates that they are offering are approximately 4 times the national average paid on savings accounts. The application is simple and you can create an account online within 5 minutes. There are no application fees, no minimum balances to maintain, and no monthly maintenance fees.

CD Rate Information

When shopping for the best CD rates, be sure that the bank you choose insures its accounts through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Each CD account is insured for $100,000.00. If you have more cash than that, it is recommended that you invest in CD's at separate banks to get an additional coverage of $100,000.00 for each CD that you have. WE would not recommend investing in a CD with a bank that does not provide FDIC insurance, even if the CD rate is substantially higher. The risk simply isn't worth the extra yield provided by the higher rate CD. To verify the the FDIC status of any bank, you can call the FDIC toll free at 1-800-934-3342.

In the United States there is a central bank that implements financial policy that effects CD rates. It is named the Federal Reserve System, but it is neither Federal as it is not part of the Federal Government in any way, nor is it reserve, as all money today in the United States is pure fiat (see our CD rate glossary for the exact definition). The Federal Reserve System is managed by a Board of Governors. While many economists suggest that the free market would do a better job of providing sound money and economic stability, the Federal Reserve System (a group of extremely wealthy private banks that has never been publicly audited) is in control of our nations money, and makes decisions that will effect CD rates. To determine whether to invest in long term CD's with a slightly higher yield, or shorter term CD's offering slightly lower CD rates, it is advised that you keep abreast of Federal Reserve policy.

One of the most frequently asked questions that we receive is whether to invest in short term CD's or longer term CD's. While there is no exact answer that always is correct, we will try to shed some insight on that question. While longer term CD's offer a slightly higher rate of interest, that does not mean that one should always opt for the highest CD rates, and thus a longer term. The business cycle is almost as well known as the yearly weather cycle, which goes from summer to winter to summer to winter, etc. In like manner, the business cycle goes from times of expansion to times of contraction (also known as recessions) to expansion, to contraction. That is fact.

Interest rates also go through cycles. This applies to CD rates as well, as they are directly tied to the market interest rate environment. The best studies by economics professors have shown that interest rates follow a longer cycle that is tied to the cycle between hard assets (commodities) and paper assets (stocks, bonds, etc.). This cycle lasts on average 22.5 years from top to bottom.

According to this cycle, in recent decades interest rates dropped significantly from 1981 until 2004. Interest rates have risen slightly since then. If the history of this cycle is any indication (and we believe there is merit to it), you can look forward to interest rates rising and not reaching their peak until sometime around 2026.

While overall interest rates as well as CD rates will not be straight up during the next two decades, the trend will be up. It is therefore recommended that you invest in shorter term CD's (6 to 12 months) so that you can reinvest at a higher rate upon maturity. You certainly would not want to invest in a 10-year CD at 6% interest if in the ensuing 10 years CD rates go to 13%. Why be locked into a low CD rate when you could be receiving a much higher CD rate by simply choosing shorter maturities and riding the rising interest rate trend?


Other CD pages of interest:

Where can you find the Best CD Rates? Who is currently offering the highest yield? What maturity lengths are necessary to receive the best CD rates? Find out by visiting.

Are you searching for the Highest CD Rates? When you compare CD rates from banks across the country to those offered at your local bank or credit union, you are far more likely to get the highest CD rates available.

What are the Current CD Rates? Are national rates any higher than the CD rate you are offered locally? Compare the current rates nationally to the current CD rates at your local financial institution.

There are many factors that effect interest rates. Learn about those factors, interest rate trends, and more at CD Interest Rates.

If you are looking for high CD rates, then visit our High CD Rates page.

For a comparison of multiple bank CD rates, please visit Bank CD Rates.

Do you have in excess of $100,000 to put into CD's? If so, then you may qualify for Jumbo CD Rates, which are slightly higher than conventional rates on smaller CD's.


 


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More information on CD Rates can be found at: The Federal Reserve National Bankers Association Open Directory Project
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