Best 18-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 18-month CD rates currently available include Birmingham City Credit UnionBirmingham City Credit Union2725 35th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35207 2839A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 4.48%Real return: +2.20%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering 18 months Share Certificates at 5.00% APY, and State Bank of NewburgState Bank of Newburg300 Congress Dr Hwy 33, Newburg, WI 53060A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 0.29%Real return: +1.93%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering 18 mo Variable Rate IRA 18 mo Certificate of Deposit at 4.73% APY, and North Star Community Credit UnionNorth Star Community Credit Union109 Central Ave N, Maddock, ND 58348A5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 11.43%Real return: +1.70%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering Youth 18 Month at 4.50% APY, and Childrens Medical Center Federal Credit UnionChildrens Medical Center Federal Credit Union3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229 3026A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 0.57%Real return: +1.51%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering Certificates of Deposit 18 months at 4.31% APY. CD rates as of May 6, 2026 according to verified data from MonitorBankRates.
An 18-month CD bridges the gap between short-term flexibility and longer-term yields. It locks in a competitive rate for a year and a half — ideal for savers who want more than a 12-month commitment without tying up funds for two or more years. 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. 18-Month CD Rates Last Updated and Verified: May 6, 2026
Compare the Best 18-Month CD Rates Nationwide
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Must be under 18 to open. 18M allows add-ons & withdrawals (Min +/- $100 ) & a 1-time rate bump (must provide report card); MAXIMUM DEPOSIT OF $10,000.00, LIMIT ONE PER MEMBER
No additional details available.
Now through April 15, earn up to 4.25% APY with our 18-month IRA Certificate.
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.
$100,000 and over
Minimum $100,000 Deposit to start
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Limited Time Special
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.
$10,000 max
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Special rate available with funds new to Essential.
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.
In-Branch
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.
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.
EARLY WITHDRAWAL PENALTIES (Minimum $25): 365 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.
Over $90,000
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
$1,000.00 & over
$200
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.
Over $50,000
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.
Start growing your money today!
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.
$2,500 to open and earn
No additional details available.
$225,000 and Above
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Save more when you move at least $500 from another financial institution.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
A penalty may be applied for early withdrawal. Fees may reduce earnings. $500 minimum opening deposit required to obtain APY. Not valid with any other offer. Rates effective as of 02/16/2026. Expires on or before 5/17//2026.
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.
APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Rate subject to change without notice. Penalty for early withdrawal. APY is accurate as of 01/01/2026.
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.
Limited Time CD Special!
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Rate changes quarterly-Quarterly compounding-$100.00 minimum additions permitted-IRA fund also permitted
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.
No additional details available.
More Than $100,000
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 deposits after initial deposit
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.
$100,000 Minimum to Earn APY
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.
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 18-Month CD Rate Database
MonitorBankRates tracks 2,501 18-month CD rates from 1,499 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: Birmingham City Credit Union offers an 18-month CD at 5.00% APY with a minimum deposit of $0. Use the rate table above to compare all current offers.
18-Month CD Rate Trend
Daily national average APY for 18-month CDs
Daily averages compiled from our database of 8,500+ banks and credit unions — updated daily.
National 18-month CD rates rose 0.011 points over the past 7 days to 2.638% APY, up from 2.627% 7 days ago.
18-Month CD Rate Forecast — Next 12 Months
Where are 18-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 18-month term at today’s top APY.
CD Ladder with 18 Months RungAdd an 18-month rung between your 12 and 24-month CDs. See how this mid-range term fills gaps in your ladder to keep funds maturing every 6 months.
Early Withdrawal Penalty18-month CDs typically carry a 150–270 day interest penalty for early access. Calculate your actual net return if you need funds before maturity.
18-Month CD vs. High-Yield Savings18-month CD rates typically sit above savings APYs. Compare both to determine if locking in for a year and a half is worth the yield difference.
How to Find the Best 18-Month CD Rates
What to compare when shopping for an 18-month CD
To find the best APYs on an 18-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 18-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 an 18-Month CD Makes Sense
- You have a planned purchase or expense in ~18 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 a mid-range commitment — the 18-month term earns more than a 1-year CD while maturing before a 2-year 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
18-Month CD vs. Other Savings Options
| Feature | 18-Month CD | High-Yield Savings | Money Market | 6-Month CD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Type | Fixed APY | Variable APY | Variable APY | Fixed APY |
| Liquidity | Locked 18 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 |
18-Month CD FAQs
What is an 18-Month Certificate of Deposit (CD)?
How do 18-month CD rates compare to 12-month CDs?
Is my money safe in an 18-month CD?
What happens if I withdraw money from an 18-month CD early?
What is APY and how does it differ from the interest rate?
Can I add money to an 18-month CD after opening it?
How can I use an 18-month CD in a CD ladder?
Is an 18-month CD better than a 12-month CD?
Methodology & Data Sources
Direct-Sourced & Verified CD Rate Data: We aggregate 18-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 1.5-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.
