Alabama

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Alabama CD Rates – 5-Year

You are viewing rates from banks across Alabama





Below are 5-year CD Rates from banks that are located in Alabama. Five-Year Certificates of Deposit (CD) are generally the longest term CD that most banks will offer. They tend to offer the highest rates but require the longest commitment. Five year CDs are especially popular in a declining interest rate environment as depositors can lock money in at the highest rate possible for the longest period of time. They are also popular with depositors who are willing to lock up money for five years in return for extra yield.

AL - August 4, 2025

5 Year CD National Average : 0.92% ?

Banks APY MIN MILES ?

Early Withdrawal Penalty is 730 days interest.
Rate History: 4.10% → 4.20% → 4.15% → 4.05% → 4.20%

| 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

Rate History: 4.00% → 4.15%

| 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

Early withdrawal penalty is 365 days interest.
Rate History: 3.90% → 3.80% → 3.50% → 3.90% → 4.00%

| Jul 4, 2025

Bread's current 6-month CD is 4.45%, not 4.35%. Read More

Rate History: 3.05% → 3.50% → 4.11% → 4.00%

| 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

Early Withdrawal Penalty is 90 days interest.
Rate History: 4.00% → 3.75% → 3.25% → 3.75% → 4.00%

| 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. Read More

Early Withdrawal Penalty is 360 days interest.
Rate History: 4.24% → 4.09% → 3.67% → 3.65% → 3.97%

| Jan 30, 2024

Have an IRA rollover, they don't take IRAs any longer. Read More

Warning: Early Withdrawal Penalty is 2% of the account balance.
Rate History: 4.15% → 4.10% → 3.95% → 4.05% → 3.95%

| Jul 3, 2023

A 2% early withdrawal fee on a 1-year CD is almost equally insane as a 270 day one. Read More

Early Withdrawal Penalty is 90 days interest.
Rate History: 3.00% → 4.11%

| Jul 1, 2022

Very easy opening process and wonderful staff. Read More

Early Withdrawal Penalty is 6 Months' Interest.
Rate History: 4.35% → 4.00% → 3.80%

| 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

Rate History: 4.00% → 3.85% → 3.75% → 3.80%

| 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. Read More

| 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

Rate History: 4.10% → 4.00% → 3.80% → 3.60% → 3.75%

| Feb 15, 2024

best bank on the list but no longer the most competitive Read More

Early Withdrawal Penalty is 180 days interest.
Rate History: 4.00% → 3.75% → 3.25% → 3.81% → 3.75%

| 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 Read More

Rate History: 3.60% → 3.75% → 3.65% → 1.25% → 3.65%

| Sep 30, 2023

CFG overs very competitive Interest rates on their High Yield Savings account. I did everything ONLINE and have not had any issues with their service. Read More

Early Withdrawal Penalty is 180 days interest.
Rate History: 4.50% → 4.15% → 4.00% → 3.75% → 3.60%

| 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 ... Read More

Warning: Early withdrawal penalty is 2% of principal

| Dec 22, 2018

I know VirtualBank has monitored these comments in the past and answered here. This is important because they do not respond to questions submitted through the website. I am trying to find out the pena... Read More

Rate History: 3.90% → 3.75% → 3.50% → 3.40% → 3.50%

| 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

Early withdrawal penalty is one-fourth the amount of interest that would have been earned had CD been held to maturity.
Rate History: 4.00% → 3.90% → 3.65% → 3.45% → 3.50%

| 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

Early Withdrawal Penalty is 6 months interest.
Rate History: 4.05% → 4.05% → 3.90% → 3.75% → 3.50%

| 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

Rate History: 3.90% → 3.60% → 3.50% → 3.40% → 3.50%

| 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

Rate History: 4.00% → 3.90% → 3.75% → 3.50%

| Jan 2, 2024

Like others, I've been with Capital One and its predecessor ING Direct since 2007. I've also been getting cheap bank rates on my savings account and didn't realize that there was something better, although... Read More

Rate History: 4.00% → 3.75% → 3.50%

| 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

Early Withdrawal Penalty is 180 days interest.
Rate History: 4.00% → 4.00% → 3.40%

| 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... Read More

Rate History: 2.90% → 3.30%

| 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

Early Withdrawal Penalty is 180 days interest.
Rate History: 4.15% → 3.75% → 3.50% → 3.75% → 3.25%

| 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... Read More

Rate History: 3.01% → 4.01% → 2.51% → 3.02%

Early Withdrawal Penalty is 30 months interest.
Rate History: 3.50% → 3.00% → 2.50% → 3.00%

Early Withdrawal Penalty is 180 days interest.
Rate History: 4.10% → 4.00% → 3.90% → 3.60% → 2.85%

| 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

Rate History: 2.01% → 1.76% → 2.78%

| 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

| Dec 21, 2023

Very easy to setup 6 month 5.35% CD from cornerstone account Read More

Rate History: 3.00% → 2.75%

| Mar 20, 2016

Good solid bank. Read More

Rate History: 2.27% → 2.32%

| Nov 3, 2023

site does not update at all, totally wrong rates listed Read More

Rate History: 3.00% → 2.50% → 2.00%

| 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

| 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

Rate History: 2.00% → 3.00% → 2.00% → 3.00% → 2.00%

| Apr 30, 2019

No issues. I feel confident using them. Read More

| Feb 25, 2022

I joined Citi with a Costco-VISA card. An Accelerate followed, and then a checking account. Costco-VISA is necessary for using a credit card at Costco, otherwise cash is necessary. Accelerate Savings w... Read More

Rate History: 2.00% → 2.50% → 2.00%

| Jan 2, 2023

Terrible customer service by investment side. Fees too high , too full of themselves Read More

1.76%

$10,000

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1.75%

$500

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1.75%

$10,000

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1.51%

$10,000

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1.50%

$10,000

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1.50%

$10,000

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Rate History: 2.50% → 1.50%

| 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

1.50%

$10,000

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Rate History: 1.00% → 1.35% → 1.30% → 1.35%

| Nov 17, 2020

Is notarie services available today at a woodforest on wilkinson blvd Read More

Rate History: 1.05% → 1.30%

| May 26, 2017

Before009 Read More

1.26%

$500

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Rate History: 2.50% → 1.25%

| Feb 24, 2020

I had been with USAA for 20 years. Had my checking, savings, auto and renters insurance and 2 credit cards with them. I work in the service industry and make a good portion of my income in cash tips. For 4... Read More

| Jan 13, 2023

Disappointed! Wellsfargo is not great but better than Noble. Read More

1.16%

$10,000

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1.15%

$10,000

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1.11%

$10,000

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1.10%

$10,000

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1.05%

$10,000

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1.05%

$10,000

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1.05%

$10,000

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| Apr 23, 2020

If you're not with Central State Bank and you're in business... why the heck not? I've been with CSB since 2007. In that time they've provided top tier service and a down home feel. My most recent exper... Read More

1.01%

$10,000

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| Jul 22, 2021

This is a criminal lender and the worst bank. They merged with CenterState Bank.. They have made our lives miserable with a wrongful, fraudulent foreclosure. We will be starting a Website with all of the ... Read More

1.00%

$10,000

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| Mar 16, 2023

The branch manager is unavailable and doesnt care what goes on as long as he is not bothered. The tellers are rude and referr to customers who ask for help as " special needs customers". Read More

1.00%

$10,000

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1.00%

$500

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1.00%

$500

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1.00%

$10,000

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1.00%

$10,000

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0.98%

$10,000

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0.95%

$10,000

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| Aug 10, 2022

1st National Bank of Tennessee is not, in my opinion, a mobile friendly bank. Be aware that they do not have a 1-800 number on their cards. So, if it happens to be a weekend and you're out of town trying... Read More

0.95%

$10,000

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0.90%

$1,000

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| Jun 7, 2018

Fabulous bank Read More

0.90%

$10,000

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0.85%

$10,000

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0.85%

$10,000

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| Jun 14, 2021

I have banked with Midsouth for 4 years. I deposited a check that was for $6,000. I explained at the time of the deposit that I needed the mo ur available for my sons surgery that was in a few days. They t... Read More

0.80%

$10,000

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0.80%

$10,000

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0.75%

$10,000

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0.75%

$10,000

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| Mar 4, 2023

OMB controller currency CFPB mortgage loans originator regulation G 3170-0005 requested full disclosure Read More

0.75%

$500

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| Nov 4, 2020

Transfer cds to checking. Trustmark Madison ok, Not, 6 figures deposit lost for 6 days they say due to scanner error. Then when we go to branch office mgr. all huffy tht error upset because of their mist... Read More

0.75%

$10,000

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Rate History: 0.25% → 4.32% → 0.75% → 3.03% → 0.75%

| May 21, 2021

avoid this Read More

0.71%

$10,000

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0.70%

$10,000

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0.65%

$100,000

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0.65%

$10,000

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0.65%

$10,000

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| Mar 25, 2015

OLIVER NORTH AIR LINES GOVERNOR BLANCO Read More

| Jun 11, 2015

Synovus no longer offers this rate as of 5/8/2015---I called and asked Read More

| Nov 15, 2020

Do they? Read More

0.55%

$10,000

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0.55%

$10,000

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| Mar 25, 2019

CDs shown are not offered in Knoxville area Read More

0.55%

$10,000

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| Aug 28, 2022

Rates are totally uncompetitive now. Read More

| Jun 2, 2022

I've been a customer since CIT emerged from the financial crisis as a real competitor in this space (14 years or so). Zero complaints about anything over this time ... until today. Now they are offering a... Read More

0.50%

$10,000

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0.50%

$10,000

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0.50%

$10,000

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| Jul 27, 2020

If you don't mind the web site for your account on the week ends being down. This is the bank for you. When you have a problem you have to wait one to two days for someone in charge to call you back after ... Read More

0.45%

$10,000

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0.40%

$500

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0.40%

$1,000

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| Jun 12, 2023

US Bank reported me to dult Protective Services because my husband is 85 and I am63. He got sick and went into a nursing hime for 3 months. My husband always handled the financial affairs. I had to take ov... Read More

0.35%

$10,000

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| Mar 29, 2020

have been waiting 8 weeks - yes 8 weeks for a closing date from this bank ..... they keep giving flimsy excuses requesting insignificant and unnecessary paperwork from us ( the seller ) the buyers who know... Read More

| 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... Read More

| 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

0.21%

$10,000

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| Mar 28, 2022

Vaporware. Was approved to open an account. I logged in on several different browsers with differing rendering codes--each time got nothing but 3 circles running left to right for up to a half hour when I ... Read More

| May 30, 2022

I HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE OTHER REVIEWERS. THIS BANK HAS THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE OF ALL TIME. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GO HERE... IF THERE'S ANY WAY YOU CAN AVOID, IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. LET ME GIVE ... Read More

Rate History: 0.15% → 0.01% → 0.15%

| Dec 30, 2018

Garden14 Read More

0.10%

$10,000

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Rate History: 0.03% → 0.05%

| Mar 28, 2023

On line banking gives a confirmation number when paying bills. But it doesn’t confirm that the bill will be paid only that they have the information. Ridiculous. Read More

Rate History: 0.03% → 0.05%

| Jul 28, 2022

Not at all happy with Truist compared to BB+T. New transaction policy makes them painfully slow. Paying .01 % interest on money market accounts, 13 week T Bill's are around $2.5%.I hope that they are enj... Read More

| May 18, 2019

Had checking and savings for years when living in Philly. Went into PNC 2.35 APY high yield savings. They have thus far maintained rate. Easy web site and great customer phone service. Still maintain check... Read More

| Jul 24, 2023

BOFA is a den of people thieves camouflaged as bank operatives. There’s a soon to be uncovered carrel of money laundry there. They took all my money and don’t want to release it to me for no particular... Read More

All rates listed are Annual Percentage Yield (APY). The Min listed is the minimum deposit account balance required to obtain the rate listed.

Branches Info around zip 10007


Branch Street City State
Synchrony Bank
Summerdale Branch
Sw 1st Street Summerdale AL
EvaBank
Evabank Branch
4113 Eva Road Eva AL
Capital One 360
The Exchange Bank Of Alabama Branch
Sixth And Blount Streets Altoona AL
Bank Independent
Hartselle Branch
902 U.S. Highway 31, North Hartselle AL
MainStreet Bank
Phenix-Girard Bank Branch
801 13th Street Phenix City AL
Farmers and Merchants Bank
Oxford Branch
35 Ali Way Oxford AL
Citizens
Peoples Exchange Bank Branch
2013 Highway 21 Bypass Monroeville AL
Sweet Water State Bank
Thomasville Branch
33821 Highway 43 Thomasville AL
Union State Bank
Cedar Bluff Main Branch
3460 Old Highway 9 Cedar Bluff AL
The Citizens Bank
The Citizens Bank Branch
301 South Edwards Street Enterprise AL
The Farmers & Merchants Bank
Florence Branch
11345 State Highway 20 Florence AL
Cullman Savings Bank
3201 Alabama Hwy 157 Branch
3201 Alabama Highway 157 Cullman AL
Metro Bank
Pell City Remote Branch
Highway 231 North & Lewis Lake Rd Pell City AL
Millennial Bank
Covenant Bank Branch
7924 Parkway Drive Leeds AL
Woodforest National Bank
8055 Oxford Alabama Walmart Branch
92 Plaza Lane Oxford AL
FirstState Bank
Firststate Bank Branch
88730 Highway 9 Lineville AL
NobleBank & Trust
Alexandria Office Branch
646 Valley Cub Dr. Alexandria AL
The Exchange Bank of Alabama
The Exchange Bank Of Alabama Branch
Sixth And Blount Streets Altoona AL
First Bank of Alabama
Roanoke Branch
3500 Highway 431 Roanoke AL
PeoplesTrust Bank
Hackleburg Branch
34888 U.S. Highway 43 Hackleburg AL
Peoples Bank of Alabama
Gadsden Branch
400 West Meighan Boulevard Gadsden AL
Bank of Brewton
North Brewton Branch
2329 Douglas Avenue Brewton AL
First Community Bank of Central Alabama
Holtville Road Branch
9788 Holtville Road Wetumpka AL
Citizens Bank & Trust
Rogersville Branch
Market Square Rogersville AL
Central State Bank
Limestone Office Branch
71 Limestone Parkway Calera AL
Alamerica Bank
Alamerica Bank Branch
2170 Highland Avenue Birmingham AL
The Southern Bank Company
390 West Main Street Branch
390 West Main Street Centre AL
The Hometown Bank of Alabama
Snead Branch
87672 Us Highway 278 Snead AL
First Southern State Bank
Leesburg Branch
200 Industrial Boulevard Leesburg AL
First Community Bank of Cullman
First Community Bank Of Cullman Branch
420 2nd Avenue, Sw Cullman AL
Citizens Bank & Trust, Inc.
Sand Mountain Branch
29316 Alabama Highway 71 Higdon AL
First Southern Bank
St. Florian Branch
4350 County Road 47 Florence AL
SouthPoint Bank
Trussville Branch
7278 Gadsden Highway Trussville AL
The Commercial Bank Of Ozark
South Dale Branch
Phillip J. Hamm Dr. Midland City AL
Southern States Bank
Birmingham Branch
7 Office Park Circle Birmingham AL
First National Bank of Pulaski
Athens Downtown Branch
321 South Jefferson Street Athens AL
Liberty Bank
Liberty Bank Branch
40956 Alabama Highway 75 Geraldine AL
First Jackson Bank, Inc.
Bridgeport Branch
50550 Us Hwy 277 Bridgeport AL
CB&S Bank, Inc.
Hodges Branch
1481 Highway 172 Hodges AL
Liberty Bank and Trust Company
Liberty Bank And Trust Company Branch
660 Adams Avenue Montgomery AL
Commonwealth National Bank
2861 Springhill Ave Branch
2861 Springhill Avenue Mobile AL
First Fidelity Bank
Main Street West Branch
960 Main Street, West Rainsville AL
MidSouth Bank
Ashford Branch
520 Broadway Street Ashford AL
The First National Bank and Trust
Excel Branch Of First National Bank
67 Highway 136 East Excel AL
HNB First Bank
431 Branch
Highway 431 And County Road 22 Headland AL
Pinnacle Bank
78 Highway East Branch
100 22nd Avenue Jasper AL
West Alabama Bank & Trust
Gordo Branch
245 Main Street South Gordo AL
First Federal Bank, A FSB
Tuscaloosa Branch
5301 Hwy 69 South Tuscaloosa AL
Trustmark National Bank
Hwy 72 E Branch
22236 Us Hwy 72 Athens AL
First Bank of Boaz
First Bank Of Boaz Branch
124 South Main Street Boaz AL
IncredibleBank
Notasulga Branch
950 Auburn Rd. Notasulga AL
ServisFirst Bank
Montgomery Main Branch
One Commerce Street Ste 200 Montgomery AL
AuburnBank
Notasulga Branch
950 Auburn Rd. Notasulga AL
PeoplesSouth Bank
Headland Branch
617 East Church Street Headland AL
Bryant Bank
280 Branch
5319 U.S. Hwy 280 Birmingham AL
First State Bank of the South, Inc.
Hamilton Branch
240 Military Street South Hamilton AL
FirstBank
Firstbank Mortgage Partners Branch
117 Court Street Florence AL
Community Spirit Bank
Vina Branch
7141 Highway 19 Vina AL
Armed Forces Bank, National Association
Rucker Branch
Building 9207 Fort Rucker AL
Synovus Bank
Dothan Financial Center Branch
901 North Boll Weevil Cir Enterprise AL
Centennial Bank
Foley Branch
501 S Mckenzie Street Foley AL
Community Bank of Mississippi
Fairhope Branch
813 Estella Street Fairhope AL
Bryant Bank
280 Branch
5319 U.S. Hwy 280 Birmingham AL
Robertson Banking Company
Thomaston Branch
6510 2nd Avenue Thomaston AL
Renasant Bank
Valley Branch
3216 20th Avenue Valley AL
Century Bank
Mobile County Bank Branch
Union Church Road And Highway 90 Grand Bay AL
Merchants & Marine Bank
Gulf Shores Branch
1820 South Gulf Shores Parkway Gulf Shores AL
Citizens Trust Bank
Eutaw Branch
213 Main Street Eutaw AL
AmeriFirst Bank
Peppertree Branch
8165 Vaughn Road Montgomery AL
Southern Independent Bank
Southern Independent Bank Branch
503 North Main Street Opp AL
First Cahawba Bank
Downtown Office Branch
801 Alabama Ave Selma AL
CCB Community Bank
Ccb - Opp Branch
609 Florala Highway Opp AL
Citizens' Bank, Inc.
Foley Branch
251 East Orange Avenue Foley AL
BankFirst Financial Services
Tuscaloosa County Branch
2205-C 7th Street Tuscaloosa AL
Metro City Bank
Opelika Branch
1805 Gateway Drive Opelika AL
Troy Bank & Trust Company
Ariton Branch
6 Atlantic Street Ariton AL
Ameris Bank
Dothan Branch
3299 Ross Clark Circle Dothan AL
Friend Bank
Newton Office Branch
465 S. College St Newton AL
Regions Bank
University South Al Branch
1 S. University Boulevard Mobile AL
Truist Bank
Branch Banking And Trust Company
990 South Eufaula Avenue Eufaula AL
PNC Bank, National Association
Parkway East Branch
9648 Parkway East Birmingham AL
Regions Bank
University South Al Branch
1 S. University Boulevard Mobile AL


BestCashCow strives to maintain the most accurate rates. If you believe a rate is not accurate, please let us know.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Five Year CDs - Branch Banks 2025

Five-year CDs are the big kahuna of the CD world. While banks may offer six-year, seven-year, or even 10-year CDs, the five-year is the longest of the most commonly offered terms. The 5-year CD is therefore often the highest offer at your local bank. Therefore, the temptation for those looking for yield is to open one, deposit money, and forget about it for five years. This could be a mistake. In rising rate environments a five-year CD may not be a good investment.

Safety

Like every other CD term, five year CDs from FDIC insured banks are protected up to FDIC limits (generally $250,000 per account holder per bank). If your deposit is over the FDIC limit then you may not receive the uninsured money in case of a bank failure.

Inflation

The principle threat to a a five year CD is inflation. If the CD is opened in a low rate environment, and rates and inflation subsequently rise, then inflation will erode the value of the certificate of deposit over its five years. For example, if a depositor opened a five year CD in year 1 with a yield of 2.05% APY and inflation at 1.5%, then the real return is .55 percentage points. But if inflation rises the next year to 2.5% and stays there for the next four years, then the CD in real terms is losing money every year: 2.05% - 2.5% = -.45%.

While it is impossible for anyone to predict too far into the future, savers should be cognizant of the economic environment before locking up money for a five year time-period. Our rate analysis page provides some insight into where we think rates will go.

On the other hand, if rates are falling and will continue to do so for some time due to an economic recession then it makes sense to lock in a higher rate with a five year CD. Savers who opened five year CDs in 2008 immediately after the financial crisis were able to lock in rates in the 6% range, a great move considering two years later a five year CD paid below 3%.

Interest

Five-year CDs currently pay about 1.00% more in interest than a one year CD. In general, CDs of this duration are best opened as part of a laddered CD portfolio or if the depositor thinks that rates will either stagnate or drop over the next couple of years.

Opening a Five Year CD

Opening a five year CD in a branch is relatively easy and similar to every other CD term. Most banks require the customer be a resident of the United States and most branch-based banks ask that the account be opened in the bank. Funding can be performed by transferring money that is already located at that bank or by check or ACH transfer from another bank. The CD can be opened that day and the rate locked.

With longer term CDs, savers should make sure they put a record of the CD in a safe place and that if they move, they forward their new address to the bank. In cases where the bank cannot find the CD holder, the bank may hand the funds over to a state authority as a lost deposit, and it will require onerous paperwork to reclaim the money.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FIVE YEAR CDs

Advantages of five year CDs

  • 5 year CDs provide the highest rate of the common CD terms.
  • The return is fixed for five years, which is an advantage in a flat or falling rate environment.

Disadvantages of five year CDs

  • The money is locked away for five years and cannot be withdrawn without a substantial penalty.
  • In a rising rate environment, inflation will reduce the value of the money in the CD over time.
  • Branch CDs require the saver to visit a branch and be subjected to cross-sell pitches and other marketing tactics.

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.

SAVINGS & CD CALCULATOR

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