Best 12-Month CD Rates - August 2026
Brian McKay
Brian McKay
Founder & Data Architect- Automated Online Rate Data Aggregation
- Location-Based Rate Tables
- Bank & Credit Union Health Safety Ratings
- Finance Calculators
Top 12-month CD rates currently available include Congressional Federal Credit UnionCongressional Federal Credit Union10461 White Granite Dr, Oakton, VA 22124A5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 6.24%Real return: +3.20%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering Flexible Saver - 1 Year Certificate at 6.00% APY, and Schools Federal Credit UnionSchools Federal Credit Union20101 Hamilton Ave Ste 150, Torrance, CA 90502 1306A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 1.27%Real return: +3.10%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering Relationship Certificate (12 months) at 5.90% APY, and Gundersen Credit UnionGundersen Credit Union1910 South Ave, La Crosse, WI 54601A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 0.77%Real return: +2.70%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering Teenager - 12 Month Term at 5.50% APY, and NuVista Federal Credit UnionNuVista Federal Credit Union2711 Commercial Way, Montrose, CO 81401A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 0.66%Real return: +2.32%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering 12 Month DREAM Certificate at 5.12% APY. CD rates as of August 28, 2026 according to verified data from MonitorBankRates.
A 1-year CD is often considered the sweet spot for savers. It offers a higher yield than a standard savings account while keeping your money committed for just one year — ideal for building a CD ladder or parking funds you won’t need in the near term. We display Safety Grades, Star Ratings, and Texas Ratios so you can choose institutions with confidence.
The APYs displayed reflect actual verified offers. Rates are subject to change at the institution’s discretion without notice. A substantial penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. 12-Month CD Rates Last Updated and Verified: August 28, 2026
Compare the Best 12-Month CD Rates Nationwide
Special Rate (APY)�:
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Age: 13-17
DREAM Certificate****; Rate: 5.00%****; APY: 5.12%****
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Early Withdrawal Penalty: 90 days interest
This account is available only for members under 18 years of age.
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Tenure: 20+ Yrs; Active Checking: Yes
Fixed rate with guaranteed dividends. Deposits allowed at any time!
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maximum principal balance
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Non-premier member APY: 4.25% | Dividend Rate: 4.17%
Qualified Military Members receive a 1% rate increase on all CDs, excluding iSave. Eligible members include Active Duty, Veterans, and Retirees. To qualify, military members must establish a full direct deposit in their name into their checking account. Any direct deposits less than $2,000 will not be eligible for the rate increase. Offer is subject to qualification and can change without notice. Military Status Verification: Verification of military status is required. Acceptable proof includes Military ID, Retirement ID, or DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty). Terms and conditions apply.
Rates are as of August 1, 2026 and are subject to change. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal.
Regular IRA And Roth IRA
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Dividends are paid monthly. IRA Share accounts pay monthly dividends at the same rate as Savings accounts. Once your account is established, you may not make additional deposits. We may impose a penalty equal to 90 days dividends if you withdraw the CD funds before the maturity date (regular IRA distributions are excluded from this). Rate bump-up available for IRA/HSA certificates with terms of 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. This allows you to "bump-up" your existing certificate rate to the current rate within the same term, without changing the maturity date of the certificate. Rate "bump-up" allowed once during the term of the CD.
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The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 08/13/2026. APY assumes interest remains on deposit until maturity date. Penalty for early withdrawal may reduce earnings. Fees may reduce earnings. Rates are subject to change at any time and are not guaranteed until the account is opened.
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No additional deposits after initial deposit.
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Existing Star Members (members who have $25,000 in combined deposits and/or loans) who open a new 12-month New Money Certificate with a minimum balance of $100,000 are eligible for an APY of 4.25%. This is a limited time offer and may change without notice. The promotional rate is available only on 12-month New Money Certificates funded with new money. New money is defined as funds not currently on deposit with Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, including funds transferred from another financial institution or deposited by cash or check. Dividends for the 12-month New Money Certificate are compounded and credited quarterly. Once a Certificate is opened, money cannot be added and a penalty may be charged for Certificate early withdrawal. Fees could reduce earnings. 12-month New Money Certificates will automatically renew for a 12-month Certificate at the current rate available at the time of renewal unless instructed to do otherwise by the member on or before the maturity date. Applicants must meet membership eligibility requirements.
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New Money Specials; Dividends Earned Monthly
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APY is accurate as of 7/23/2026. Offer is subject to change at any time. Interest is compounded daily. A penalty can occur for early withdrawal. Special CD rates are effective for the initial term only. CD will automatically renew at the base non-special rate in effect at maturity for the corresponding original term. Ask about additional terms and conditions. *Fees may reduce earnings.
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Dividends are paid at maturity. Additional deposits are not allowed. Available terms may vary. No early withdrawals without a penalty.
Limited Time Special
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up to
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Interest paid quarterly via ACH to any account designated by the customer institution; Withdrawal before maturity is not permitted; BBW can arrange for the safekeeping of the instrument upon request
A penalty will or may be imposed for early withdrawal
Promotional APY is accurate as of July 1, 2026, and is available for a limited time. Offer may be modified or discontinued without notice. Dividends are compounded and credited quarterly. Early withdrawal penalties may reduce earnings. Membership eligibility required.
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Star Member rate; Funds must be brought from another financial institution.
One package per customer
Limited-time offer. New money deposits only. The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) assumes interest remains on deposit until maturity. A withdrawal and/or fees may reduce earnings. Interest penalty will be imposed for early withdrawal. Minimum balance to open and obtain the advertised APY is $1,000. The rate and APY is effective as of 8/10/26 and is subject to change on the Bank's discretion.
(purchased through Raymond James brokerage account)
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Penalty for early withdrawal
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(Fixed Rate)
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payroll deposit only
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APY as high as
No additional deposits allowed. No penalty for early withdrawals. The account matures in 12 months and will automatically renew for the same term unless funds are withdrawn within 10 days after maturity, during which withdrawals may be made without penalty. Withdrawals will reduce earnings. This promotional rate offer may be modified, suspended, or terminated by Climate First Bank, in whole or in part, at any time and for any reason without prior notice.
At maturity, your CD will automatically renew and earn the base interest rate in effect at that time.
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Featured rate
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Qualifying new relationship clients only. Rates are effective through December 31, 2026. Certificate of Deposit rates are fixed for the term of the CD. A penalty will be imposed for early withdrawal from Certificate of Deposit accounts. Fees may reduce earnings. Offers may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
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See details.
Must maintain a minimum $50,000 balance to earn APY. Interest is compounded monthly and credited monthly.
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For all certificates unless otherwise noted: penalty for early withdrawal. Minimum deposit of $500 required to open certificate & earn dividends. Rate is accurate as today's dividend declaration. Fees may reduce earnings on the account. Rate = dividend rate.
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Compounded: Quarterly; Credited: Quarterly
Early Withdrawal Penalty: 3 Months of Interest
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Earn exceptional dividends monthly. Higher rates for balances of $50,000 or more. No monthly fee. Automatic renewal options available. Federally insured balances up to $250,000.00.
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Compound Period: Semi-Annually
Additional contributions in $50 increments.
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Limited Time Offer.
Under $50,000
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Compounded/Credited: Quarterly/Quarterly
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$100,000
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$10
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This CD is a fixed rate certificate for the full 12-month term. This offer is for a limited time only, so call or visit our website to open your CD today! Fees, withdrawals, and penalties could reduce the earnings on the account. Interest is paid monthly via ACH or added back at maturity. UPDATED 6-16-26 | 10:02 AM CST
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Early Withdrawal Penalty 6-12 Month CD - 3 Month Interest Penalty. Rates apply to new deposits only.
*New money. Interest Paid Quarterly and at Maturity
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Interest paid quarterly
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Current CD Specials
The Certificate of Deposit Dividend Rate and Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as set forth below, are fixed rates and will be in effect for the term of the account. Dividend paid monthly. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal.
Opening Balance: $10,000 or above; Interest Will Be Credited: Monthly
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Interest Compounded & Credited: Quarterly
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High-Yield Rewards Checking Account required
New money required. Early withdrawal penalties may apply. Rate is effective 6/1/2026. APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Minimum deposit requirement $25000 to open CD. $25000 minimum balance required to earn the APY. Must be a new CD funded with new money of at least $25000 to qualify. APY effective for new CDs opened. Rates may change at any time. Fees may reduce earnings. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Effective 6/1/2026.
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Compounded Quarterly
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No rate bump available
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Dividends Compounded & Paid: Quarterly
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Banks and Credit Unions: If you identify an incorrect rate or wish to request removal from MonitorBankRates.com, please contact us here.
Tracked Nationwide
About Our 12-Month CD Rate Database
MonitorBankRates tracks 5,107 12-month CD rates from 2,794 institutions across the United States. Our proprietary aggregation system pulls verified rate data directly from each institution’s official website — no estimates, no national averages passed off as real offers.
Every rate listed includes the institution’s Safety Grade (A+ to F), Star Rating (1–5), and Texas Ratio — objective financial health metrics calculated from FDIC and NCUA regulatory data — so you can compare yield and institutional safety in one place.
Current top rate: Congressional Federal Credit Union offers a 12-month CD at 6.00% APY with a minimum deposit of $100. Use the rate table above to compare all current offers.
12-Month CD Rate Trend
Daily national average APY for 12-month CDs
Daily averages compiled from our database of 8,500+ banks and credit unions — updated daily.
National 12-month CD rates fell 0.004 points over the past 7 days to 2.834% APY, down from 2.838% 7 days ago.
12-Month CD Rate Forecast — Next 12 Months
Where are 12-month CD rates headed through August 2027?
Projections based on Fed funds rate futures and historical CD-to-fed-funds spread model. Not financial advice.
CD Calculators
Enter any deposit amount to see exactly how much interest you earn at the end of your 12-month term at today’s top APY.
CD Ladder with 12 Months RungUse a 12-month CD as a core annual rung in your ladder. See how rolling 1-year maturities create a reliable income cycle while keeping a portion of savings liquid.
Early Withdrawal Penalty12-month CDs typically carry a 90–180 day interest penalty for early access. Calculate your actual net return if you need funds before maturity.
12-Month CD vs. High-Yield Savings12-month CD rates often edge above top savings APYs. Compare both side-by-side to see exactly how much more a 1-year commitment earns on your deposit.
How to Find the Best 12-Month CD Rates
What to compare when shopping for a 12-month CD
To find the best APYs on a 12-month CD, start with credit unions and online-only banks — they consistently offer the highest yields because they have lower overhead than traditional brick-and-mortar banks and compete aggressively for deposits.
Always compare the APY (Annual Percentage Yield), not just the interest rate. The APY reflects compounding and is the true measure of what you’ll earn. A CD advertised at 4.75% interest compounding monthly is worth more than one at 4.80% compounding annually.
Also compare the early withdrawal penalty. On a 12-month CD, common penalties range from 30 to 90 days of interest. If you’re unsure whether you’ll need the funds early, a penalty-free no-penalty CD or a high-yield savings account may be a better fit.
When a 12-Month CD Makes Sense
- You have a planned purchase or expense in ~12 months and want to earn while you wait
- You expect interest rates to fall and want to lock in today’s rate short-term
- You want to lock in a fixed rate for a full year without committing to a longer term
- You want FDIC/NCUA protection with a guaranteed fixed return
Consider an Alternative If…
- You may need funds before 3 months → High-yield savings
- Rates are rising and you want to benefit → Variable-rate savings or MMA
- You want check-writing or debit access → Money market account
12-Month CD vs. Other Savings Options
| Feature | 12-Month CD | High-Yield Savings | Money Market | 6-Month CD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Type | Fixed APY | Variable APY | Variable APY | Fixed APY |
| Liquidity | Locked 12 months | Anytime | Anytime | Locked 6 months |
| Early Withdrawal | Penalty (30–90 days interest) | None | None | Penalty (90–180 days interest) |
| FDIC / NCUA Insured | Yes (up to $250K) | Yes (up to $250K) | Yes (up to $250K) | Yes (up to $250K) |
| Check / Debit Access | No | Usually no | Often yes | No |
| Best For | Known near-term goal, CD ladder start | Emergency fund, flexible savings | Liquid savings with check-writing | Slightly higher yield, less urgency |
12-Month CD FAQs
What is a 12-Month Certificate of Deposit (CD)?
Are 12-month CD rates higher than regular savings accounts?
Is my money safe in a 12-month CD?
What happens if I withdraw money from a 12-month CD early?
What is APY and how does it differ from the interest rate?
Can I add money to a 12-month CD after opening it?
How can I use a 12-month CD in a CD ladder?
Is a 12-month CD better than a high-yield savings account?
Methodology & Data Sources
Direct-Sourced & Verified CD Rate Data: We aggregate 12-month CD rates nationwide directly from the official websites of banks and credit unions using our proprietary rate aggregation technology. By pulling data straight from the institutions’ own digital properties and manually verifying yields daily, every rate on MonitorBankRates.com is highly accurate and trustworthy.
Local, Regional, and National Coverage: Our systems constantly monitor the market to provide a complete picture of available 1-year CD yields across the country. We feature a comprehensive mix of financial institutions — from neighborhood credit unions and competitive regional banks to high-yield CDs from large national institutions.
Daily Updates & Time-Stamped Accuracy: Our rate updaters verify and update CD rates daily. Because yields can fluctuate rapidly based on Federal Reserve policy and market conditions, every CD product listed features its own specific “last updated” date for full transparency.
Proprietary Institution Health & Safety Grades: Beyond tracking rates, MonitorBankRates evaluates the financial stability of every listed institution. Our Health Grades (A+ to F) and Star Ratings are composite metrics calculated using objective regulatory data — including the Texas Ratio — ensuring you deposit with secure, reliable institutions.
