Citibank is offering an 18-month CD that pays 2.25% APY. That's currently the best 18-month CD rate according to the BestCashCow rate tables.

Even as a ward of the state, Citi is willing to be competitive in some terms. Usually, these deals at the big banks don't last long. Citi has a history of popping a competitive rate for a few weeks and then dropping it. So, if you want a competitive rate from a big bank, then you should consider acting sooner rather than later.

Details are:

• A minimum opening deposit of $500 is required for CDs opened online.
• Interest is paid monthly for all CDs with terms greater than one year.
• CDs renew automatically at maturity for the same term you initially selected. In addition, the amount you have on deposit will receive the rate in effect at the time your CD matures. If you don't want to renew, you have a 7-calendar day grace period to let Citi know online, by phone or in writing.

Choice Financial, a North Dakota based financial company, is offering a 13-month CD paying 2.51% APY. The CD also has some flexibility, allowing customers to deposit additional money into the CD after opening as long as the deposits do not exceed the initial funding amount. The 2.51% rate for a 13-month CD is very competitive when compared against the best 12-month CD rates on the BestCashCow rate tables.

The minimum to open an account is $5,000.

Application and Funding

I confirmed the CD offer was available nationally. The CD can be opened online and funded via an electronic ACH transfer from another account, a check, or a wire transfer. The rate locks at the moment the application is submitted.

About Choice Financial Groups

Choice Financial Groups is a Fargo, North Dakota financial services company formed from the merger of four local banks. The company has a 4 out of 5 star rating from Bauer Financial for its safety and soundness.

Century Bank Direct is offering a 15-Month CD that pays 2.25% APY. That compares favorably with the best 12-month and 18-month CD rates. It is also offering several other competitive products including a 2.09% APY 10-month CD and a 2.35% APY 20-month CD.

The CDs have a minimum deposit of $1,000 to open and a maximum deposit amount of $100,000. It's odd having a maximum deposit rate so far below the FDIC insurance limit, especially when rates are so low, but that's what it is.

Account Opening and Funding

Accounts can only be opened via an online application. Once the account is opened, you will asked to mail a copy of your driver's license and some other form of ID along with the signature card. Funding can be done online via an ACH pull from your primary checking account. Other key information about their CD accounts include:

• Interest paid monthly
• CD redeption can be done via messaging from within online banking or via online redemption form.
• 10 day grace period when CD matures

Century Bank Direct is a division of Century Bank of Kentucky. Bauer Financial gives Century Bank of Kentucky 2 out of 5 stars (Problematic) for its safety and soundness. The bank has two branches with 37 employees and $116.9 million in assets. That's small even by community bank standards. Century Bank of Kentucky is FDIC Insured.

Credit for this find goes to BankDeals.