Best 12-Month CD Rates - May 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 Valley Financial Credit UnionValley Financial Credit Union1541 Custer Ave, Billings, MT 59102A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 2.09%Real return: +3.37%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering 12 Month Youth Certificate at 6.17% APY, and Schools Federal Credit UnionSchools Federal Credit Union20101 Hamilton Ave Ste 150, Torrance, CA 90502 1306A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 1.31%Real return: +3.10%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering Relationship Certificate(12 months) at 5.90% APY, and Dairyland Power Credit UnionDairyland Power Credit Union3200 East Ave S, La Crosse, WI 54601 7227A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 0.00%Real return: +2.70%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering Teenager (Age 13-17) - 12 Month Term Certificates at 5.50% APY, and Diversified Members Credit UnionDiversified Members Credit Union1480 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48207A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 5.57%Real return: +2.35%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering 12 Months at 5.15% APY. CD rates as of May 5, 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: May 5, 2026
Compare the Best 12-Month CD Rates Nationwide
$100 Minimum | $1,000 Maximum
Terms Apply
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
This account is available only for members under 18 years of age. Accounts may be opened between October 1 and October 31 each year.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Early Withdrawal Penalty: 90 days interest
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Interest rate is based on a Prime Rate index minus a margin of 3.00%, with a floor of 0%
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
$1,000,000.00 +
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
$5; 4.33% APY^
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Balance Under $100,000
Minimum $100,000 Deposit to start
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Limited Time Special
No additional details available.
$500.00 minimum deposit required. Fees can reduce earnings on the account. Early withdrawal penalties may apply. OceanAir reserves the right to end or modify these offers at any time without notice
No additional details available.
Dividends compounded/paid monthly
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Penalty for early withdrawal
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Early Withdrawal Penalty: 3 Months Dividend
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Special CD rates through April 30th.
No additional details available.
Dividends Paid at Maturity
Quarterly
No additional details available.
Online-only high-yield rates.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
new money
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Wave Club
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Deposit limits are a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $1,000 .
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Dividend Rate: 3.94%
LIMITED CERTIFICATE SPECIAL; $500 minimum balance to obtain APY. Substantial penalty for early withdrawal. All APY's based on interest compunded quarterly.
No additional details available.
($500 minimum deposit required)
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
(No minimum)
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
All Share Certificates post dividends at maturity.; 2 Month Dividend Penalty for early withdrawal on Certificates with a terms of 12 months or under.; 3 Month Dividend Penalty for early withdrawal on Certificates with a terms greater than 12 months.; Tier level determined by opening deposit, not subject to change prior to dividend posting.
No additional details available.
$1000; No rate bump available
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Penalty: 90 days
$25,000- $99,999
No additional details available.
Branch
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Milton office only; Customer must open account in person at 735 Sunnyside Drive, Milton, WI 53563.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
$100,000+
Dividend Paid Monthly on Last Day of Month
No additional details available.
EARLY WITHDRAWAL PENALTIES (Minimum $25): 181 Days Interest
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Minimum $250,000
Minimum deposit $100,000 for Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and applies to new money deposits only. 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. **Call for rates and APY on additional minimum balances.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Online Only
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
limited time CD yield
No additional details available.
1 year Certificate of Deposit (Penalty will or may be imposed for early withdrawal of funds). This rate applies to existing CDs at Avista CU that automatically renew/rollover for an additional 1-year term.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
minimum $5,000 New Money/maximum $250,000
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
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 4,585 12-month CD rates from 2,437 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: Valley Financial Credit Union offers a 12-month CD at 6.17% APY with a minimum deposit of $0. 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 0.016 points over the past 7 days to 2.819% APY, down from 2.835% 7 days ago.
12-Month CD Rate Forecast — Next 12 Months
Where are 12-month CD rates headed through May 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.
