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.
Highest Three-Year Online CD Rates - March 31, 2023
3 Year CD National Average: 0.65% ?
| BANK | APY? | MIN? | ||
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| Sponsored | Advertiser Disclosure | |||
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4.30% | $2,500 |
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on the Discover Bank website |
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Guaranteed returns. No account fees. Member FDIC. |
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4.60% | $500 | Learn More | |
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YTR | Mar 27, 2023 CFG is an outstanding bank, and now rate is over 5%! Read More |
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4.54% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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Early Withdrawal Penalty is 360 days interest. |
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Jim Plew | Apr 22, 2015 Hello, I am interested in a line of credit against my home. I have a high interest credit card that I want to move to this credit. I have a wells fargo mortgage which is only a few years old which I do no... |
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4.50% | $500 | Learn More | |
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Richard | Jul 1, 2022 Very easy opening process and wonderful staff. |
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4.50% | $501 |
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4.50% | $1,500 | Learn More | |
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Early withdrawal penalty is 180 days interest. |
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RogW57 | Mar 27, 2023 Rate may look competitive but you'll fall into the black hole of awful service and constant cross selling the moment you open an account. Read More |
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Restrictions |
4.45% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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Michael | Nov 11, 2022 I have been with PenFed for a number of years, and have gotten good products. Employees have been helpful. However, beware of titling for accounts with trusts. You will not be able to distinguish betw... |
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4.45% | $10,000 | Learn More | |
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Early Withdrawal Penalty is 365 days interest. |
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Mysteriosa | Mar 14, 2023 I had two 5 year CDs. Once in 2021 and again in 2022, PD claimed that my account had been abandoned. As far as I know, PD had made no effort to reach me, and I had been logging in once/month to check my ... Read More |
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4.42% | $100,000 | Learn More | |
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Early withdrawal penalty is 12 months interest. |
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Howjltx | Mar 23, 2023 I hate used car salesman tactics of Bait and Swap! Was advertised top interest rate at minimum $100k deposit then after spending an hour to sign-up online, system changed this to $250K - Screw their 1/4 p... |
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4.40% | $2,500 | Learn More | |
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Dev1ldog | Feb 28, 2023 How often do people agree? When the overall rating is two stars, then this bank has to be terrible. Try finding multiple deposit accounts; try waiting on your deposit to post due to them floating your fu... |
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4.40% | $25,000 | Learn More | |
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Warning: Early Withdrawal Penalty is 2% of the account balance. |
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Al | Apr 12, 2021 Frustrating. The initial application form is a breeze. Then the problems start. Many hoops to jump through. |
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Restrictions |
4.36% | $5,000 | Learn More | |
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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 |
4.32% | $500 | Learn More | |
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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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4.30% | $0 | Learn More | |
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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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4.30% | $0 | Learn More | |
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NS123 | Mar 15, 2023 Thank you for the reviews above. I was wondering why I was only getting 0.3% when interest rates have gone up. Why CapitalOne360 is putting loyal and long time customers at a disadvantage is beyond me. ... Read More |
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4.30% | $500 | Learn More | |
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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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4.30% | $1,500 | Learn More | |
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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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4.30% | $2,000 | Learn More | |
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jp76 | Jun 13, 2022 3 days for an ach is not market when most banks on this list do it instantly. even frigging rising bank. customer service is beyond dreadful. Read More |
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4.25% | $25,000 | Learn More | |
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AllyAccountOwner | Jan 7, 2023 After being a customer for 12 plus years, I attempted to open and Estate account. Ally declined my application saying they could not verify me even though I am a long time customer with six figures in a... Read More |
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Restrictions |
4.25% | $100,000 | Learn More | |
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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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Restrictions |
4.20% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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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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4.10% | $500 | Learn More | |
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overdrawn | Nov 12, 2022 I was shopping for deposit rates in August, and NerdWallet, a site I had previously trusted, had it on their list. I was unaware they took deposits. They are the only bank that ever duplicated a transactio... |
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4.00% | $500 | Learn More | |
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John WIlliamson | Aug 6, 2022 The idea that they aren't competing is wrong. They'll give you 1% more on your savings if you run around promoting their brand and get a friend to sign up. Great marketing scheme actually, since those so i... Read More |
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4.00% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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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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4.00% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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Iman | Mar 4, 2021 They are liers. Please don't open their credit cards to avoid being taking advantage of!!! I hope they bankrupt SOOOOOON. Read More |
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3.95% | $5,000 | Learn More | |
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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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3.95% | $10,000 |
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3.85% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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Az1 | Aug 26, 2022 Too slow to raise rates. Read More |
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3.80% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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TRU | Jan 9, 2023 TIAA stole money from university professors and staff and mismanaged assets so badly that a generation of people in academia were denied a comfortable retirement. Read More |
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3.77% | $10,000 | Learn More | |
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Warning: Early Withdrawal Penalty is 2% of principal. |
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carscoupons@comcast.net | Sep 6, 2019 Went to bank yesterday this is not a good rate. Needs to be updated. Read More |
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Restrictions |
3.75% | $500 |
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3.56% | $25,000 | Learn More | |
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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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3.55% | $25,000 | Learn More | |
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Az1 | Aug 26, 2022 Too slow to raise rates. Read More |
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3.50% | $500 | Learn More | |
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Aussie10024 | Mar 7, 2023 This bank is a waste of time. Tried to set up account. Denied. Called the bank as it states in the denial. Waited on hold for 25 minutes. Rep told me they could not any reason why it was denied but I shoul... Read More |
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3.50% | $500 | Learn More | |
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HappyPrimeAllianceCustomer | Sep 20, 2022 Prime Alliance Bank has a single branch (outside Salt Lake City) and does an excellent job with distance banking (we are based in Washington state). It stands out in several ways: (1) Interfacing with the... |
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3.35% | $5,000 | Learn More | |
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Dr. Bill N | Jan 18, 2023 The website is constantly down. I'll move all my accounts to a less recognized name with a better rate as that gives me fewer surprises like this. Read More |
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3.30% | $500 | Learn More | |
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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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3.25% | $0 | Learn More | |
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Hijo de Manuela | Mar 9, 2023 I am a big fan of this one. The rate is now 4.25% on the online savings product, but 4.75% on the indexed product. While they don't allow a product switch, you can open the indexed with 4.75% then move al... Read More |
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3.25% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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PJs at bedtime | Jun 25, 2022 I've been in and out of igo. I usually carry a large balance when they are rate competitive (half the time) and move by money somewhere else when they aren't (the other half). The $3,000 transfer limit is ... Read More |
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3.00% | $1,000 |
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3.00% | $10,000 | Learn More | |
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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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2.27% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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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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1.40% | $25,000 | Learn More | |
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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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1.15% | $0 | Learn More | |
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Chris | Aug 31, 2022 never had a problem moving money in/out. After trying a couple banks with higher rates but less service will be moving my money back here. Read More |
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1.01% | $500 | Learn More | |
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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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0.60% | $5,000 |
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0.50% | $1,000 |
Learn More
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0.45% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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$1,000 minimum deposit to open an account. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Account fees may reduce your earnings. |
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nonsense | May 21, 2021 avoid this Read More |
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0.40% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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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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0.35% | $50,000 | Learn More | |
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Zman111 | Jun 26, 2022 ACH transfers are not allowed. Called and was told that I had to set up wire transfers (and pay fees) or I could come in to the bank and get a bank check. Read More |
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Restrictions |
0.25% | $500 |
Learn More
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0.25% | $2,500 | Learn More | |
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dbestway@gmail.com | 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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0.25% | $10,000 | Learn More | |
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UtahJazz1 | Jun 10, 2022 This bank hasn't raised their rates! Maybe I was sleeping but I need to get out of here fast. Read More |
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Restrictions |
0.25% | $100,000 |
Learn More
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0.20% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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JR48 | Dec 21, 2022 Stay away from this bait and switch bank that uses teaser rates. They lowered my interest rate twice in the first 2 months of opening my account. They said they had the right to change their rate at any ti... Read More |
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Restrictions |
0.20% | $25,000 |
Learn More
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0.15% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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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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0.03% | $1,000 | Learn More | |
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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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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.
