Certificate of Deposit (CD) (2024)

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Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding the Certificate of Deposit (CD)

Last Updated December 19, 2022

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What is a Certificate of Deposit?

A Certificate of Deposit (CD) offers higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts in exchange for restricting the access to the funds.

Certificate of Deposit (CD) (1)

Table of Contents

  • Certificate of Deposit Definition (CD)
  • Certificate of Deposit Rates
  • Interest Rates for Certificate of Deposit (CD)
  • Certificate of Deposit Investment: Pros and Cons

Certificate of Deposit Definition (CD)

A certificate of deposit (CD) is a type of savings account that offers a predetermined interest rate in exchange for the saver not requesting the funds back for a fixed period of time.

Most often, a certificate of deposit (CD) is issued by financial institutions like commercial banks and credit unions, with either physical or electronic paperwork stating the specific terms:

  • Deposit Amount
  • Interest Rate (%)
  • Maturity Date
  • Early-Withdrawal Fees

The deposited funds must be kept in the account for the full allotted time. Past the maturity date, the funds can be withdrawn without incurring fees.

CDs can range widely in length – from a couple of months to ten years – but the typical term tends to be around three to five years.

The deposit is expected to remain in the possession of the financial institution for the entire term, and early withdrawal can result in additional fees.

Certificate of Deposit Rates

From the initial deposit date until maturity, the funds must be kept in the account in order to earn the total expected interest.

Compared to the interest rate earned on traditional bank accounts, the interest rate earned on a certificate of deposit (CD) is higher, which is the primary appeal of CDs.

However, the interest rate is higher because of the constraints placed on the funds deposited, i.e. that the funds will not be withdrawn for a set period of time.

While there are certain CD accounts with adjusting rates, most pay fixed interest which can provide a consistent, predictable source of income.

If the funds are withdrawn before the stated maturity date, the issuer typically charges a fee to penalize the early withdrawal.

Early withdrawal fees can be avoided by opting for a no-penalty certificate of deposit (CD), but the interest rate for such instruments is lower, as one might reasonably expect.

Interest Rates for Certificate of Deposit (CD)

CDs are primarily intended for risk-averse investors seeking a safe investment with returns above that of standard savings accounts but lower than riskier options such as stocks and bonds.

Established by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which meets eight times per year to set a target interest rate, the federal funds rate has broad implications on the pricing of such financial products.

The interest rate on a CD does not track the federal funds rate precisely, but it is impacted by broader rate changes – so if the federal funds rate rises, the rate of CDs also rises (and vice versa).

Other than the federal funds rate, the following factors can influence the rate on a certificate of deposit (CD).

  • Term Length: The number of years until the funds become accessible, i.e. can be withdrawn.
  • Deposit Size: The dollar amount of funds held in the account.
  • Fees: The type of CD can impact the rate, e.g. an account with high early-withdrawal fees corresponds to higher interest rates.

The longer the duration of the deposit term and the larger the deposit size, the higher the interest rate.

The minimum deposit amount tends to be substantially higher for high-yield CD accounts – moreover, the higher the stated fees for early withdrawals, the higher the interest rate.

Certificate of Deposit Investment: Pros and Cons

The advantages of a certificate of deposit (CD) are the following:

  • Low-Risk: Certificates of deposits (CDs) can be attractive considering the low risk of capital loss and returns that are close to guaranteed, assuming the funds are not withdrawn prematurely.
  • Insured: CDs are considered one of the safest investments to place capital, as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) guarantees a return of deposited funds up to a specified limit in order to recoup some losses.

On the other hand, the drawbacks to CDs are the following:

  • Early-Withdrawal Fees: The funds deposited should not be needed in the short term, but unexpected occurrences can cause an early withdrawal and trigger fees.
  • Illiquidity: CDs are illiquid and access to the funds is restricted by fees, intended to incentivize investors not to pull out their money from the account (i.e. a CD is not an “emergency fund”).
  • Inflation Risk: Besides the early withdrawal fees, the inflation rate is another risk – i.e. if inflation rises, the returns on the CD might not keep up with inflation, making the real returns lower than originally anticipated on the original date of deposit.
  • Opportunity Cost: CDs are unlikely to meet the returns threshold for investors pursuing higher yields, as the potential upside is much lower than for higher-risk investments.

Certificate of Deposit (CD) (2)

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Certificate of Deposit (CD) (2024)

FAQs

What is a certificate of deposit CD quizlet? ›

A certificate of deposit (CD) is a product offered by banks and credit unions that provides an interest rate premium in exchange for the customer agreeing to leave a lump-sum deposit untouched for a predetermined period of time.

What is a disadvantage of buying a certificate of deposit (CD)? ›

CD rates may not be high enough to keep pace with inflation when consumer prices rise. Investing money in the stock market could generate much higher returns than CDs. CDs offer less liquidity than savings accounts, money market accounts, or checking accounts.

How much does a $10,000 CD make in a year? ›

Earnings on a $10,000 CD Over Different Terms
Term LengthAverage APYInterest earned on $10,000 at maturity
6 months2.53%$127.17
1 year2.62%$265.17
18 months2.22%$338.29
2 years2.09%$426.48
3 more rows
2 days ago

How much does a $50,000 CD make in a year? ›

If you invest $50,000 in a one-year CD with this APY, you will earn $925 in interest by the end of the term. However, you can find banks offering CDs with as much as 6.00% APY. If you invest $50,000 in a 6.00% CD, you'll earn $3,00 in interest in a year.

What do certificates of deposit or CDs have __________________? ›

A CD, or certificate of deposit, is a type of savings account with a fixed interest rate that's usually higher than the rate for a regular savings account. A CD also has a fixed term length and a fixed withdrawal date, known as the maturity date.

What does a certificate of deposit CD usually have group of answer choices? ›

A certificate of deposit (CD) is a type of savings account that pays a fixed interest rate on money held for an agreed-upon period of time. CD rates are usually higher than savings accounts, but you lose withdrawal flexibility. If you withdraw your CD funds early, you'll be charged a penalty.

What is the biggest negative of putting your money in a CD? ›

1. Early withdrawal penalty. One major drawback of a CD is that account holders can't easily access their money if an unanticipated need arises. They typically have to pay a penalty for early withdrawals, which can eat up interest and can even result in the loss of principal.

Why is my CD losing money? ›

A Certificate of Deposit (CD) could lose money if funds are withdrawn early, incurring penalties that may exceed earned interest. CDs are generally low-risk and guarantee a fixed interest rate for the term. Early withdrawal penalties can sometimes reduce the principal, not just the interest.

Is it good to put money in CDs? ›

Is it worth putting money into a CD? For some people, it can be worth putting money into a CD. If a person is seeking a riskless investment with a modest return, CDs are a good bet—you'll earn a higher rate than you would with a checking or savings account, but you'll have to commit your funds for a fixed period.

Do you pay taxes on CDs? ›

Key takeaways. Interest earned on CDs is considered taxable income by the IRS, regardless of whether the money is received in cash or reinvested. Interest earned on CDs with terms longer than one year must be reported and taxed every year, even if the CD cannot be cashed in until maturity.

How much will a $500 CD make in 5 years? ›

This CD will earn $117.15 on $500 over five years, which means your deposit will grow by 23.4%.

What is a good amount of money to put in a CD? ›

Minimum and maximum amounts for CD investments

You can expect a minimum CD opening deposit of at least $500 at most banks, though that could rise to $2,500 or more for certain accounts. For example, CIT's Jumbo CDs require a minimum balance of $100,000. CDs with higher minimums often pay higher APYs.

Who has the highest paying CD right now? ›

The highest certificates of deposit (CDs) rates today are offered by Merchants Bank of Indiana (5.92%), First Federal of Lakewood (5.61%), Maries County Bank (5.51%) and Shoreham Bank (5.50%). You can see the full list of the highest-paying CDs here.

Should I put $50,000 in a CD? ›

Investing $50,000 in a 5-year CD at today's best rates could yield more than $10,000 in overall interest. Shorter-term CDs have higher APYs and might be better for those who can't lock up $50,000 for five years.

Can I put 100k in a CD? ›

What is a jumbo CD? A jumbo CD is similar to a regular CD, but it requires a higher minimum deposit. While a typical CD might require a minimum of $1,000 to open, a jumbo CD usually requires a minimum of around $100,000. Because of the high minimum deposit requirement, jumbo CDs don't make sense for a lot of investors.

What is a certificate of deposit CD and how does it work? ›

A certificate of deposit, or CD, is a type of savings account offered by banks and credit unions. You generally agree to keep your money in the CD without taking a withdrawal for a specified length of time. Withdrawing money early means paying a penalty fee to the bank.

What is the difference between a certificate of deposit CD and a regular savings account? ›

A certificate of deposit offers a fixed interest rate that's usually higher than what a regular savings account offers. The tradeoff is you agree to keep your money in the CD for a set amount of time, typically three months to five years.

What happens if you remove your money from a CD before the term ends? ›

A CD early withdrawal penalty is a fee banks may charge if you withdraw funds before the CD matures. While not all banks and CDs have these penalties, they generally work the same. You may have to forfeit your accrued interest.

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