| Bank Institution | Minimum | Interest Rate (APY) |
|---|---|---|
| Popular Direct | $10,000 | 4.80% |
| BTG Pactual Bank | $500 | 4.70% |
| Total Bank, a division of City National Bank of Florida | $25,000 | 4.50% |
Three Year Certificates of Deposit (CD) rates from online banks are often above average if you are willing to open and manage your account using the Internet. Three years is an intermediate term for CDs and banks will often pay you a bit more of a premium to keep your money locked in for a longer duration.
| BANK | APY? | MIN? | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
4.80% | $10,000 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty is 365 days interest. |
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Neil | Dec 18, 2023 I submitted a CD application 18 months 5.50 APY over a week ago and my application was declined no reason was given, I have the funds in another bank for transfer, credit score over 800. I think the reason... Read More |
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4.70% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.00% → 4.45% → 3.87% → 4.04% |
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Richard | Jul 1, 2022 Very easy opening process and wonderful staff. |
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4.50% | $1,000 | Learn More |
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Early Withdrawal Penalty is 180 days interest. |
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bws/esc | Apr 27, 2023 have had 3 cd accounts. all interactions with instructions for disposition of funds were never exactly enacted as discussed and requests for confirmatory emails never sent with details as terms discussed. ... Read More |
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4.50% | $25,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.56% → 4.16% → 4.00% → 3.76% → 4.50% |
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79Thru | Mar 21, 2023 Parent seems to be owned by a large Chilean bank. Not saying this is good or bad, but it is complication, especially in the current environment. Read More |
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4.45% | $2,500 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.90% → 3.95% → 4.05% → 4.40% → 4.45% |
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HAL1975 | Aug 2, 2023 Sallie mae is just a horrible institution. We've done business with them before and swore on the holy bible not to go near there again, but a 18 mos cd at 5.55% brought us back. |
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4.45% | $2,500 |
Learn More
|
|
|
4.40% | $0 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 4.00% → 3.75% → 3.60% → 4.30% → 4.40% |
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mcriss | Oct 23, 2023 Synchrony Bank recently closed 3 of my accounts with them and this decision was completely unwarranted. I had two Guitar Center cards and one Levin Furniture card. I found out about this through a push not... Read More |
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4.40% | $0 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.95% → 3.75% → 4.00% → 4.35% → 4.40% |
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FROZE-ACCOUNT | Jan 10, 2024 Account was frozen (over 400K) after they confused our account with another account / person whose name was not even very similar. We were treated like dirt after 12 years and "Guilty until Innocent". I ha... Read More |
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4.40% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty is 90 days interest. |
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JBaker65 | May 6, 2023 Fully functional bank account that would be great for my needs, but the quarterly interest payment thing is a real nuisance. I wish they would change it. It isn't market. |
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4.40% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.90% → 3.70% → 4.00% → 4.35% → 4.40% |
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|
A Terkowitz | Feb 15, 2024 best bank on the list but no longer the most competitive Read More |
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4.40% | $1,500 | Learn More |
|
Early withdrawal penalty is 180 days interest. |
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m abram | Jun 22, 2025 I have had multiple CD's with this bank and have never had a problem. Easy account setup. Interest on CD's is transferred on time to my external checking account every month. You can call by phone or leave... Read More |
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4.40% | $25,000 | Learn More |
|
Warning: Early Withdrawal Penalty is 2% of the account balance. |
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Frank M | Jul 3, 2023 A 2% early withdrawal fee on a 1-year CD is almost equally insane as a 270 day one. |
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4.30% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.80% → 3.50% → 3.40% → 3.35% → 4.30% |
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richardw9 | Jan 30, 2025 I found CFG Bank while searching for high APYs and went with them since they consistently offers some of the best rates in the country. I’ve had a great experience with my personal money market account. ... |
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4.20% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty is 180 days interest. |
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Yat 1965 | Mar 19, 2022 Problem with ties to puppy mills. I closed a cct. https://www.americanbanker.com/news/tab-bank-dragged-into-seedy-world-of-puppy-mill-loans-by-fintech-partner |
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4.15% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.50% → 3.75% → 4.15% |
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Frank | Apr 8, 2019 Their online interface is circa 2004. They limit the number of accounts you can set up for ACH. And they sit on ACH transfers.... for days. Not sure if the good rates are worth it. Read More |
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Restrictions |
4.15%
4.10% |
$100,000
$1,000 |
Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.75% → 3.66% → 3.55% → 3.85% → 4.15% |
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Amanda Frank | Feb 25, 2023 HORRIBLE SERVICE. My son's campus checking account was hacked and over $9000 was stolen. Fraud department was impossible to reach and we waited on phone several days for over 2 hours at a time. They too... |
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4.05% | $5,000 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal penalty is 6 Months' interest. |
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jp2 | Jul 1, 2022 not really an onllne bank. compare this interface that gives you no information with that of any other bank (I cannot even confirm the rate). cannot switch in and out of cds or np cds. just not an online b... Read More |
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|
|
4.00% | $0 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.40% → 3.40% → 3.50% → 3.60% → 4.00% |
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Rad | Aug 13, 2023 Been a customer for a couple of years now with interesting checking, been a happy customer. They give you a $10 reimbursement on atm fees per statement cycle. They pay you to leave your money there curre... Read More |
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3.80% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 4.15% → 4.10% → 3.95% → 3.85% → 3.80% |
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HonestReview | Apr 19, 2023 This bank was honest and I had no problems with them in person. Not everyone was equally competent but they got help. |
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3.80% | $2,500 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 4.50% → 3.90% → 2.00% → 3.90% → 3.80% |
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|
clinton chess | Mar 8, 2026 Working great for me best rate I can find 4.20 March 2026 |
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3.75% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty is 6 months interest. |
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George Adams | Jun 8, 2016 When is your next shred date @Ramtown? |
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|
|
3.73%
3.45% |
$50,000
$5,000 |
Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.98% → 3.73% |
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|
[email protected] | Mar 19, 2024 I have 5 other cd's at competing banks and have not had trouble. I tried 3 times today to open one w/ bradesco and it repeatedly declines my app after I input the code they sent me. Customer service was no... Read More |
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3.50% | $0 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty is 6 months interest. |
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Robert B | May 19, 2026 I have read these reviews and noticed how old they are. My experience with Capital One has been very good. I have had CDs and savings accounts. All of my transactions have been on line. I have enjoyed usin... Read More |
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3.50% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 2.75% → 2.75% → 3.50% → 3.50% → 3.50% |
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2 Months with Vio Bank | Sep 4, 2025 And I discovered that they play bait and switch and have no problems lying. This system won't let me give it zero or negative stars so I have given it one, but that is at least one too many. Read More |
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3.50% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty is 180 days interest. |
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|
Rob H. | Nov 21, 2023 A real pain in the *** process to try and get approved! They were unable to match my drivers license photo with my live image after several times trying! Went to limelight bank instead and got approved in ... |
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3.50% | $5,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.60% → 3.50% → 3.50% → 3.50% → 3.50% |
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AVOID_ READ_CAREFULLY | Jan 10, 2024 AVOID at all costs. We read the addendum to the final page of the LENGTHY account agreement mailed to us after completing the online portion. Guess what? It gives this sweet seeming Discover Bank access to... Read More |
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3.45% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty is 180 days interest. |
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|
jaydub | Aug 18, 2025 Sophomoric as hell. I opened a LevelUp account for the 4.40% rate (now 4.20%). Rate requires automatic $250 deposit each month which I made, but I now realized that I never got that rate. Customer servic... |
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3.41% | $10,000 | Learn More |
|
Warning: Early Withdrawal Penalty is 2% of principal. |
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|
D R Lineberger | Dec 30, 2018 Garden14 Read More |
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|
|
3.40% | $500 |
Learn More
|
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty is 18 months interest. |
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|
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3.40% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Early withdrawal penalty is one-fourth the amount of interest that would have been earned had CD been held to maturity. |
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smithy1968 | Mar 20, 2025 A non-customer-friendly organization that just switches between two contaminated brands trying to bring back some sort of goodwill that it had before it started selling fake foreign currency CDs in 2006 an... Read More |
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3.30% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty is 360 days interest. |
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Beenthere | Jan 30, 2024 Have an IRA rollover, they don't take IRAs any longer. |
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3.30% | $50,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.50% → 3.30% → 3.20% → 3.30% |
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Geoffrey Christopher 1 | Nov 12, 2023 Finworth looks legit, but their online disclosures and incomplete and you cannot reach them by phone and they don't respond to inquiries. I am moving along and you should too. Read More |
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3.25% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 4.00% → 3.75% → 3.50% → 3.25% |
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Mike Brown | Jul 6, 2023 This is an example of a bad bank. Their online process for purchasing a CD is horrible. You fill it out and it rejects it after all of your private information is disclosed. They there customer service is ... Read More |
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3.25% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.40% → 3.70% → 3.30% → 2.90% → 3.25% |
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JohnC | Oct 11, 2020 You probably thought - as did I - that you were looking at a site that belongs to and was the responsibility of Gateway First. After all it includes their headings, selected financial statements, many pag... Read More |
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|
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3.25% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.00% → 4.00% → 3.50% → 3.25% |
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John N. Maclean | Jul 5, 2024 I took out a substantial CD with Forbright, a small bank that tries hard. At the time, it was the highest rate around. The bank officer I dealt with most, Walid, knocked himself out to be helpful and get t... |
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|
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3.20% | $1,000 |
Learn More
|
|
Rate History: 3.00% → 3.55% → 0.50% → 3.20% |
|||
|
|
3.15% | $0 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty is 180 days interest. |
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|
Jenny Kingston | Jun 10, 2024 I guess customer service is in the US (not sure). I'd rather that someone in the Philippines answered though. These people are so poorly trained and ill informed that I do not trust them with my personal... Read More |
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|
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3.15% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.50% → 3.25% → 3.10% → 3.00% → 3.15% |
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|
Dkplan | Dec 27, 2022 They gave a hard time with their cashier's check. They returned my deposited check that was emitted by them. Could you believe? |
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3.14% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Gary Smith | Jan 28, 2025 4.75% is an introductory rate and they are not openly clear about that. Don't expect 4.75% to continue. They are otherwise competitive. Read More |
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|
|
3.00% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 4.50% → 4.35% → 3.50% → 3.00% → 3.00% |
|||
|
Dudley | Apr 18, 2018 Worst experience of my life. Did not fund and gave $25 to my own charity. Read More |
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|
|
3.00% | $5,000 |
Learn More
|
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty is 12 months interest. |
|||
|
|
2.95% | $500 |
Learn More
|
|
Rate History: 2.95% → 3.20% → 2.95% → 2.70% → 2.95% |
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|
Restrictions |
2.90% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.40% → 3.20% → 3.10% → 3.00% → 2.90% |
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|
Rob | Dec 25, 2023 I joined in PENFED in Spring Of 2023 after 15 yrs of belonging to one of the banking giants. I found my accounts dwindling fast unexplained decreases. I decided to close the account but had to return a mer... |
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2.85% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Warning: Early withdrawal penalty equals two years of interest. |
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JuanVelasco | Mar 17, 2023 STAY AWAY ! They closed my accounts with no warning. After multiple successful direct deposits and mobile checks deposits, they claimed one of the three checks I deposited a few days ago was fake. No... |
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2.75% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.25% → 3.00% → 2.75% → 3.00% → 2.75% |
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TerryGord1973 | Jul 9, 2023 Looks like indexed savings is now at 5.31%. Down, but it still beats anything else here. Why aren't you highlighting this for your readers? Read More |
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2.75% | $5,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 2.85% → 3.50% → 3.25% → 3.25% → 2.75% |
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|
Dana E. | Mar 20, 2016 Good solid bank. |
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2.75% | $5,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 2.75% → 2.75% → 2.75% → 2.75% → 2.75% |
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james | Nov 18, 2023 bad bank hold your deposit over months without credit in your account, no interest, they don’t want pay you interest , they want your money with 0% interest. Read More |
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|
2.55% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.85% → 2.75% → 2.70% → 2.75% → 2.55% |
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|
Az1 | Aug 26, 2022 Too slow to raise rates. Read More |
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2.50% | $0 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty is 180 days interest. |
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LenaL | May 2, 2022 Barclays is the worst. Transfer speeds even worse than Synchrony now. Service is worse than anything. Save yourself the trouble of getting sucked into rates that are sometimes competitive and choose anythi... |
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2.50% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty is all interest earned. |
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Jeffinnh | Mar 30, 2021 These guys are the best local bank. Very responsive. |
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2.50% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty in 180 days interest. |
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J Dally | Jun 13, 2023 I'll steer clear of Dollar Savings Direct and My Savings Direct until they guarantee users at both online divisions their best rates. Banks have the right to segment their customers yes, but these games w... Read More |
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|
2.25% | $0 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.60% → 3.35% → 2.25% → 3.00% → 2.25% |
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Dev1ldog | Nov 8, 2023 I see nothing exciting about AmEx Bank. Sign on is a hassle and the rates are adequate. Multiple accounts are not summarized. To cancel maturing CDs require phoning in or snail mail. Above average serv... Read More |
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Restrictions |
2.25% | $500 |
Learn More
|
|
Rate History: 3.00% → 2.75% → 2.50% → 2.25% |
|||
|
|
2.25% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Early Withdrawal Penalty in 180 days interest. |
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|
not perfect but | Apr 25, 2023 with all of these online bank, including the well known ones, delaying transfers forever in order to fund these high rates, this one still executes inbound and outbound transfers immediately. Read More |
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2.15% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 1.00% → 2.75% → 2.65% → 2.40% → 2.15% |
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|
Gripp13 | Jan 27, 2023 The worst bank I have ever had Read More |
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Restrictions |
2.10% | $100,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.79% → 3.45% → 2.75% → 2.10% → 2.10% |
|||
|
Josh Hinson | Feb 3, 2023 So I financed a camper through this group. The plumbing water sewer black and gray tank fell to the ground 30 days after purchase. It was being “ fixed “ for almost 5 months the dealer assured me I wou... |
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Restrictions |
2.07% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 3.98% → 3.20% → 2.02% → 1.76% → 2.07% |
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|
member | Dec 14, 2022 Agree with Jaben to stay away from docfcu. They don't appreciate loyal members and easily turn down any requests after a delayed response. I have closed my accounts and moved my funds to better institutio... |
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|
2.00% | $0 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 1.98% → 2.00% |
|||
|
Stella | Apr 30, 2019 No issues. I feel confident using them. Read More |
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|
2.00% | $10,000 | Learn More |
|
LarryMass | Dec 8, 2020 Everyone here in Boston raves about Salem Five but it is shithole operation filled with nasty entitled people. As for this online savings product, the fees are ridiculous, the transfer charges are obnoxiou... Read More |
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|
|
1.70% | $1,000 |
Learn More
|
|
|
1.50% | $1,000 |
Learn More
|
|
|
1.30% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 2.75% → 2.55% → 1.30% → 1.30% |
|||
|
RYAN S | Nov 28, 2022 While USAA was at one point a great option for all your banking needs, the service has deteriorated so much that I'm currently in the process of changing banks after more than 2 decades. The final straw w... Read More |
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|
1.01% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Savvysaver | Nov 9, 2020 Here's what you will need: To be a resident of New Jersey or select Eastern Pennsylvania counties (the zip code provided in your application will receive an error stating "Zip code is not valid for this ap... |
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|
0.85% | $500 | Learn More |
|
BW | Jul 17, 2021 I've been with this bank for 6 months and have not had any problems. Bill pay works good. The 24 month investing CD is another vechile I use. Rates are above average considering the national rate. I'd reco... Read More |
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0.40% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
MrBond | Feb 25, 2023 I have been working for this company more than 5 years. I would not recommend any investment with First Citizens Bank. They are the worst performer on the market based on the customer and employee reviews... Read More |
|||
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Restrictions |
0.25% | $500 |
Learn More
|
|
|
0.25% | $2,500 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 2.75% → 0.25% |
|||
|
[email protected] | Aug 13, 2019 I filled out the application 10 days ago answering all questions and sent a file with a copy of my drivers license to Western Bank. I received an email saying that a banker would call me within one busines... |
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0.20% | $1,000 | Learn More |
|
Jeff Talmage | Aug 22, 2025 Echoing the other negative reviews here. Avoid because rate is bait-and-switch, website is awful and service is not acceptable (provided by offshore reps who barely speak English, raise their voice and ad... Read More |
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|
|
0.15% | $500 | Learn More |
|
Rate History: 1.00% → 0.15% |
|||
|
me joe | Apr 25, 2022 broke the machine, braddah |
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|
|
0.05% | $500 |
Learn More
|
Three year CDs from online banks offer a yield that is between .30 and .60 percentage higher than a one year CD from an online bank. While in general, online banks offer higher CD rates than branch-based banks, some smaller community banks and credit unions offer rates even higher than online banks. Savers should compare online and branch based rates if looking for the highest rate irrespective of how the CD is opened and managed.
A three year CD is a medium term CD and commits the user to keeping the money in the bank for three years in return for a fixed rate during this period of time.
In general, in a rising rate environment savers should keep their money liquid and not commit it for long periods of time. Three year CDs offer a compromise as an intermediate amount of time to lock money with a premium for doing so.
In a falling rate environment, savers should try and lock in their money for as long as possible. Three year CDs can also play a role in this type of environment depending on how long savers think rates will fall and stay low. For example, following the financial crisis in 2008, when the top CD rates were above 6% APY; with the benefit of hindsight, a saver would have been wise to lock money into a 5 year CD, preserving that 6% rate into 2013.
Some savers like to use three year CDs as part of a CD ladder, in which different term CDs help to diversify the portfolio from changes in interest rates.
All banks listed on BestCashCow are FDIC insured; BestCashCow.com strongly recommends that you stay within FDIC insurance limits and that if you are unsure of how the limits affect you, please visit the FDIC website.
To understand all of the income generating options available to a saver, please view the Income Generating Investments Comparison Chart.
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