State Bank of India has gotten aggressive with its rates, offering the highest 24, 36, and 60 month CD rates. The rates they are offering are:

• 24 month certificate of deposit: 4.78% APY
• 36 month certificate of deposit: 5.09% APY
• 60 month certificate of deposit: 5.30 % APY

These are top cd rates according to the BestCashCow rate tables.

They are largely unknown in the US but are part State Bank of India, India's largest commercial Bank in terms of profits, assets, deposits, branches and employees. They are FDIC insured. For a further review of their offering, please visit the State Bank of India page on BestCashCow.

BankUnited of Florida is offering a competitive 3.25% APY 4-year CD and a 3.50% APY 5-year CD. These are some of the best cd rates for these terms according to the BestCashCow rate tables.

The minimum balance to obtain this rate is $5,000. The CDs are available nationally and can be opened online. Once an application is completed, BankUnited will send a signature card. This must be notarized and sent back along with a check for an amount over $5,000.

To withdraw funds once the CD has matured, a notarized letter must be sent to the bank requesting the funds. The will then be mailed back.

BankUnited is a large Florida-based bank tha was taken over by the FDIC in May 2009 and sold to a consortium of private equity investors led by WL Ross (see this overview of BankUnited).The new owners have recapitalized the bank by injecting over $600 million of their own money together with an estimated $4.9 billion in FDIC funds. All money deposited into BankUnited is insured up to FDIC limits.

Earlier today, EBSB Direct began offering a 19-month CD a 1.61%. This rate is nationally offered and requires only a $1,000 minimum.

At the time of this writing, this rate is higher than any nationally offered 18-month CD and as high as all but the 5 highest nationally offered 2 year CD rates. This offer is therefore compellingly priced on a national level. Of course, there may be higher rates offered in certain markets and you will want to review local rates for 18-month CD rates here and for 2-year CD rates here to see rates in your market before locking in.

Please note that BestCashCow sees short CDs as somwhat compelling now. However, after the recent Fed move, we think some level of caution is warranted right now around all CD products. Savings rates are rising now, and you run the risk of locking into something that will be offering less than the best savings rates in a matter of months.

EBSB Direct is a subsidiary of East Boston Savings Bank. You can learn more about the online bank here, and its parent here.

More information on this and other special-rate CDs can be found here.