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Some banks offer promotional CD rates alongside their standard rates. These rates can be a bank’s most competitive CD offerings, but they don’t last forever and aren’t always the best deals you can find, so compare CDs across several banks and credit unions before opening one. Here’s what to know.
» COMPARE: Best CD rates
What are promotional CD rates?
Promotional CD rates, or CD specials, may have the following features:
Higher rates on shorter terms (at the same bank). For example, a bank’s promotional rate for a seven-month term might be higher than its standard rate on a five-year term. Typically, rates are higher for longer terms. Remember that a short term has less time to earn interest.
Unconventional CD terms, such as seven, 13 and 25 months. Standard terms tend to be easier to remember, such as one year, three years or five years.
Promotional rate that applies only to the original term. CD promos tend to renew for the same term or a similar one at a standard rate. For example, a 7-month special rate CD might roll into a 6-month standard rate.
A higher minimum deposit than a bank’s standard CDs. Wells Fargo, for instance, requires at least $5,000 to open one of its CD specials, and $2,500 to open its standard CDs.
No expiration date listed. Unlike bank bonuses, you won’t typically find expiration dates on promotional rates, but some have them. Treat them like regular CDs in which rate offerings on new CDs are subject to change at any time.
Current promotional CD rates
The following promotional CD rates stand out based on NerdWallet’s data analysis in May 2024. Expiration dates for a promo are shown when available.
In general, promotional rates tend to be for irregular CD terms and featured on banking websites as a “promotional rate” or “CD special.” (For more details, see how promotional CD rates work.)
Name (click to see our review) | CD rate (or certificate rate) |
|---|---|
Bank of America: 7-month CD | 4.75% APY.* |
U.S. Bank: 7-month CD | Up to 4.75% APY (Varies by location). |
Wells Fargo: 7-month CD | 4.75% APY. |
NASA Federal Credit Union: 9-month Certificate | 5.35% APY. |
Synchrony Bank: 9-month CD | 5.10% APY. |
CIBC U.S.: 9-month CD | 5.11% APY. |
EverBank (formerly TIAA Bank): 9-month CD | 5.05% APY. |
NBKC Bank: 11-month CD | 5.00% APY. |
BMO: 13-month CD | 4.90% APY. |
Service Credit Union: 15-month Certificate | 4.75% APY. |
NASA Federal Credit Union: 49-month Certificate | 4.40% APY. |
*Bank of America’s rate is based on a San Francisco ZIP code. Rates may vary by location. | |
» Want other deals? See NerdWallet’s best bank bonuses this month.
Are promotional CD rates worth it?
Generally, no. Promotional rates are often at traditional banks with relatively low CD yields across the board. What they consider a deal might be far lower than the rates you can find elsewhere. Plus, promotional annual percentage yields may not last more than one term, so renewing can result in a lower rate.
Online banks may also offer promo rates that are as competitive as standard rates, but bear in mind that an unusual term length may make it harder to use certain CD strategies, such as laddering or stacking CDs of different terms.
If you’re serious about comparing the highest CD rates, check out online banks and credit unions on our list of the best CD rates.
Where can I find promotional rates?
Here are some brick-and-mortar banks, and a credit union, that offer promotional CD rates:
Bank of America (see our CD rates review).
BMO (see our overall review).
Navy Federal Credit Union (see our overall review).
U.S. Bank (see our overall review).
Wells Fargo (see our CD rates review).
Other rate boosts that aren’t promotional
Relationship rates: Some traditional banks may offer slightly or considerably higher CD rates if you have another account, generally a checking account, at the same institution.
Step-up and bump-up CD rates: These two types of CDs offer rate increases within a CD term. For bump-up CDs, you must ask for a rate boost and new CD rates must be higher than your current rate. (Learn more about bump-up and step-up CDs.)
Loyalty rate bonus: At least one bank, Ally, offers customers who renew CDs a slight interest rate bump on top of the new CD rate.
If you’re considering a promotional rate CD, compare with high-yield online CD rates beforehand. What one bank calls competitive might be much lower than other banks’ standard rates.
Where to find better bank promotions
If you want to find sign-up bonuses or promotions for any banking account or product, you’ll have better luck and potential rewards by widening your search to sign-up bonuses for new checking and savings accounts as well as credit cards.
See CD rates by term and type
Compare the best rates for various CD terms and types:
Best CD rates overall.
Best 3-month CD rates.
Best 6-month CD rates.
Best 1-year CD rates.
Best 3-year CD rates.
Best 5-year CD rates.
Best no-penalty CD rates.
Best IRA CD rates.
How do CDs work?
Learn more about choosing CDs, understanding CD rates, and opening and closing CDs.
For choosing CDs:
CD calculator.
Are CDs worth it?
CDs vs. regular savings accounts.
CDs vs. money market accounts.
For understanding CD rates
Current CD rates.
Historical CD rates.
CD rates forecast.
What 2024 Fed rate increases mean for CDs.
For opening CDs
Opening a CD account in 5 steps.
What is a CD ladder?
How to invest in CDs: 3 strategies.
How much to put in CDs.
For closing CDs
When your CD matures: What to know.
CD early withdrawal penalty: What to know.
CD early withdrawal penalty calculator.
See CD rates by bank
Here’s a quick list of CD rates at traditional and online banks and a brokerage:
Ally Bank CD rates.
Bank of America® CD rates.
Capital One CD rates.
Chase CD rates.
Citibank CD rates.
Discover® Bank CD rates.
Fidelity CD rates.
Marcus CD rates.
Synchrony Bank CD rates.
Wells Fargo CD rates.
