The Federal Reserve has held rates steady for almost a year now. For savers, that decision keeps yields on products like high-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit relatively the same — at least for now.
While economists had initially expected rate cuts by the end of this year, the recent uptick in inflation, which hit 3.5% as of the latest CPI report, has more and more experts shifting their forecasts to rate hikes by the year's end.
That leaves savers in a tricky position: Today’s CD rates are still attractive, but most accounts don't outpace inflation anymore. There are also too many variables to know whether to expect even higher rates later or accept that these are the best rates you're likely to see for a while.
If you've waited to open a CD account until now or if your current CD account is nearing maturity, you're likely considering locking in rates ahead of the next meeting. Which CD should you open before the conclusion of the Fed meeting — a short-term or long-term account?
Should you get a long- or short-term CD before the Fed meeting?
When comparing current CD rates, you'll notice that the best rates offered are mainly on short-term CDs. However, the difference is minimal.
If you're comfortable with a long-term time commitment, a five-year CD is a solid option now, with some of the top-earning accounts offering 4.15% APY. While many one-year CDs have similarly good rates, locking in those rates for longer could pay off in the long run.
Putting $5,000 into a one-year CD with a rate of 4% will earn you more than $200 in interest if compounded daily. But if you want to open another CD once that one matures, you might have to settle for a much lower rate, depending on what happens in the next year.
On the other hand, if you lock in that 4% for a five-year CD, you'd maintain that savings rate for five years, earning more than $1,000 in total, if compounded daily. But if inflationary pressure pushes the Fed to raise rates later, you might miss better rates down the road.
Use the tool below, powered by Bankrate, to explore and compare some of today's top CD offers:
Locking in high yields for as long as possible can be a smart savings strategy, but there's one factor to consider before you fund the account: When putting money into a CD, you must be prepared to "set it and forget it."
That means not accessing the cash until the CD matures, which can prove challenging if your cash is tied up for several years. If you withdraw funds early, you'll be charged a fee that can offset any interest earned.
If you can't commit to a long-term CD, it's still worth opening a short-term one. While you run the risk of rates dropping after it matures, it will still help you earn extra cash without tying up your money for an extended time.
It's also worth opening a high-yield savings account, although these accounts won't allow you to lock in rates. For any savings (such as an emergency fund) that you need to be able to access at any time, a high-yield savings account allows you to earn a little interest without tying up your cash.
Use the tool below to explore and compare some of today's top savings offers, powered by Bankrate:
Rates for long-term CDs are on the rise
In the last several years, there was a surge in the popularity of CD accounts driven by rapidly rising rates in response to the Fed's interest rate-hiking campaign in 2022 and 2023, which pushed the federal funds rate to its highest level since 2001.
Now, there's been uncertainty as people wait to see the impact of tariffs as well as stock market volatility in the face of geopolitical concerns. This week's meeting is the second with newly appointed Kevin Warsh as the Fed Chair.
When there is uncertainty, consumers seek ways to keep their savings strong for as long as they can. For many, this now means using longer-term CDs. If you can afford to lock up your cash for longer than a year, that might be where you find the strongest yields ahead of the upcoming Fed meeting.
Once you've optimized your savings, consider speaking with a financial professional to make sure the rest of your financial plan is working just as hard.
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