Updated September 17, 2026

Best 1-year CD rates for 2026

The highest 12-month CD we track right now pays 4.35% APY at Quorum Federal Credit Union. The one-year CD is the most popular term in the market: long enough to earn a meaningful premium over savings, short enough that your money is not tied up for years. Every account below is FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution.

1-year CD rate table

1
Quorum Federal Credit Union logo

Quorum Federal Credit Union

12 Mo

APY

4.35%

Min. deposit

$100

Term

12 mo

2
Alliant Credit Union logo

Alliant Credit Union

12 Mo

APY

4.15%

Min. deposit

$75,000

Term

12 mo

3
E*TRADE logo

E*TRADE

12 Mo

APY

4.15%

Min. deposit

$500

Term

12 mo

4
Municipal Credit Union logo

Municipal Credit Union

12 Mo

APY

4.07%

Min. deposit

$5,000

Term

12 mo

5
Capital One logo

Capital One

360 CD, no minimum

APY

4.00%

Min. deposit

$0

Term

12 mo

6
Ally Bank logo

Ally Bank

High Yield CD

APY

4.00%

Min. deposit

$0

Term

12 mo

7
Flagler Credit Union logo

Flagler Credit Union

12 Mo

APY

4.00%

Min. deposit

$100,000

Term

12 mo

8
Community Savings logo

Community Savings

12 Mo

APY

4.00%

Min. deposit

$1,000

Term

12 mo

9
Barclays logo

Barclays

12 Mo

APY

4.00%

Min. deposit

$0

Term

12 mo

10
Finworth logo

Finworth

12 Mo

APY

3.95%

Min. deposit

$50,000

Term

12 mo

11
Marcus by Goldman Sachs logo

Marcus by Goldman Sachs

High-Yield CD — early withdrawal penalty applies

APY

3.90%

Min. deposit

$500

Term

12 mo

12
Seattle Bank logo

Seattle Bank

12 Mo

APY

3.75%

Min. deposit

$1,000

Term

12 mo

13
Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union logo

Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union

12 Mo

APY

3.70%

Min. deposit

$500

Term

12 mo

14
American Bank of Freedom logo

American Bank of Freedom

12 Mo

APY

3.65%

Min. deposit

$1,000

Term

12 mo

15
Dort Financial Credit Union logo

Dort Financial Credit Union

12 Mo

APY

3.60%

Min. deposit

$100,000

Term

12 mo

16
Integro Bank logo

Integro Bank

12 Mo

APY

3.50%

Min. deposit

$100,000

Term

12 mo

17
Old Dominion National Bank logo

Old Dominion National Bank

12 Mo

APY

3.25%

Min. deposit

$500

Term

12 mo

APYs are gathered from bank and rate-aggregator listings and may differ from the rate you are offered. Always confirm with the institution before opening an account.

When a 1-year CD beats a savings account

A high-yield savings rate is variable — it can drop the week after you open the account. A 1-year CD fixes your rate for the whole term, which is valuable when rates look more likely to fall than rise. The cost is access: pulling the money out early triggers a penalty, typically several months of interest.

A common middle ground is a CD ladder — splitting the deposit across several terms so part of it matures every few months. Compare the 6-month table and the full list of CD terms to build one, or keep the cash liquid in a high-yield savings account.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 1-year CD pay on $10,000?+

At 4.35% APY, $10,000 earns about $435 over the full 12 months. At 4.00% it earns about $400. Because the term is exactly one year, the APY and your actual return line up closely.

Is it better to open a 1-year CD or a 6-month CD?+

If the 1-year rate is higher, locking it in protects you for twice as long — an advantage when rates are drifting down. If you may need the cash sooner, or expect rates to climb, the shorter term keeps your options open. Splitting the money between both is a reasonable hedge.

Do I pay taxes on CD interest?+

Yes. CD interest is taxed as ordinary income in the year it is credited, and the bank reports it on Form 1099-INT. That applies even if you leave the interest inside the CD until maturity.

What is the minimum deposit for a 1-year CD?+

It varies by bank. Several online banks require nothing at all, while others ask for $500 or $1,000. The minimum for each account is shown in the table above.