CDs in May 2025: Here's What $10K Can Earn You This Year

Motley Fool
19小時前

Image source: Getty Images


KEY POINTS

  • The best 6-month CD is offering 4.55% APY in May 2025.
  • A $10,000 deposit would yield about $225 before year's end.
  • Short-term CDs are a great strategy to shield your savings from potential rate cuts this year.

Experts are forecasting at least one rate cut by the Fed before the end of 2025 -- possibly two or more. If they're right, today's higher CD rates could be on their way out.​

Consider this: the national average APY for a 6-month CD is around 1.60% right now. But some banks are offering rates as high as 4.55% APY. That's a big difference in potential earnings. Locking in a top rate now could mean earning hundreds more -- with zero risk -- just by being proactive.

Earnings on $10,000 in a 6-month CD

Here's a look at the top 6-month CD rates as of early May 2025, as well as how much you'd earn with a $10,000 deposit.

CD Term APY Ending Balance
6 months 4.55% $10,225
6 months 1.60% (national average) $10,079
Data source: Issuer websites, FDIC rates, and author's calculations.

It really pays to shop around. If you were only earning the national average rate of 1.60% APY, your earnings would be just $79.

Our Picks for the Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2025

ProductAPYMin. to Earn
SoFi Checking and Savings
Member FDIC.
APY
up to 3.80%²
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. You can earn the maximum APY by having Direct Deposit (no minimum amount required) or by making $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits every 30 days. See SoFi Checking and Savings rate sheet at: https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
Min. to earn
$0
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings

On SoFi's Secure Website.

Member FDIC.
up to 3.80%²
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. You can earn the maximum APY by having Direct Deposit (no minimum amount required) or by making $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits every 30 days. See SoFi Checking and Savings rate sheet at: https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
$0
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings

On SoFi's Secure Website.

American Express® High Yield Savings Account
Member FDIC.
APY
3.70%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. 3.70% annual percentage yield as of May 1, 2025. Terms apply.
Min. to earn
$0
Open Account for American Express® High Yield Savings Account

On American Express's Secure Website.

Member FDIC.
3.70%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. 3.70% annual percentage yield as of May 1, 2025. Terms apply.
$0
Open Account for American Express® High Yield Savings Account

On American Express's Secure Website.

Barclays Tiered Savings
Member FDIC.
APY
4.10%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. Balances less than $250,000 earn 4.10%, and balances greater than $250,000 earn 4.30%.
Min. to earn
$0
Open Account for Barclays Tiered Savings

On Barclays' Secure Website.

Member FDIC.
4.10%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. Balances less than $250,000 earn 4.10%, and balances greater than $250,000 earn 4.30%.
$0
Open Account for Barclays Tiered Savings

On Barclays' Secure Website.

Disclaimers

SoFi disclosure:

¹ New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at sofi.com/banking#1.

² SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Only SoFi Plus members are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.

³ We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.

⁴ SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations.

Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms. See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks.

We’ve partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees incurred when using out-of-network ATMs are not subject to reimbursement. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.

Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.

Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with direct deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the“30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.

Looking for longer-term options? While they don't pay as high a rate as today's 6-month options, long-term CDs let you lock in a guaranteed return for the entire term -- we're talking years. Discover® Bank is one CD issuer that offers a huge variety of terms, from 3 months all the way up to 10 years! Explore Discover® Bank's CD rates today to find a match for your needs.

Is a 6-month CD right for you?

A short-term CD (typically anything less than 12 months) can be a smart move if you're looking for a low-risk place to park your money. Buying one now would mean you'd get your money back right before the holidays.

Short-term CDs might be a good fit if:

  • You've got a chunk of cash you won't need until later this year
  • You want to lock in a high rate before potential Fed rate cuts
  • You're saving up for a big expense (like holiday travel or gifts)

Experts don't expect CD rates to rise from here -- so if you're thinking about opening one, now's the time to act.

High-yield savings are still paying well

If you want quicker access to your money and don't mind if the rate drops later, a high-yield savings account (HYSA) might be a better fit.

Right now in May 2025, the top HYSAs are offering rates around 4.10% APY. That's right in the same ball park as a short term CD -- and you can withdraw your money at any time.

A $10,000 deposit at 4.10% would earn $205 in interest in six months. Not quite as much as a 6-month CD could earn, but the flexibility might be worth it.

A great option right now is opening a Barclays Tiered Savings account. It pays a strong 4.10% APY -- that's over 10x the national average -- and there's no minimum balance needed to earn it.

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