Best 5-Year CD Rates (2026)

Compare the highest 60-month CD rates from FDIC-insured banks and credit unions. A 5-year CD offers the longest rate lock available, protecting your returns through years of potential rate cuts.

Last updated: April 1, 2026

Current Top 5-Year CD Rate

4.15% APY

United Fidelity Bank, fsb — $0 minimum deposit

View all 5-year CD rates →

Top 5-Year CD Rates

Rank	Bank	APY	Min. Deposit
1	BestUnited Fidelity Bank, fsb	4.15%	$0	Visit →
2	Advancial	4.14%	$1	Visit →
3	State Savings Bank	4.06%	$0	Visit →
4	Mountain America Credit Union	4.00%	$500	Visit →
5	Sallie Mae Bank	4.00%	$2	Visit →
6	Utah First Federal Credit Union	4.00%	$2	Visit →
7	E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley	3.95%	$0	Visit →
8	USALLIANCE Financial	3.95%	$500	Visit →
9	KS StateBank	3.90%	$500	Visit →
10	Marcus by Goldman Sachs	3.90%	$500	Visit →

Showing top 10 of 15 5-year CDs. View all 15 rates

How Much Will You Earn With a 5-Year CD?

The table below shows estimated earnings at the current top rate of 4.15% APY over 60 months with monthly compounding. Five years of compounding makes a meaningful difference compared to shorter terms.

Deposit Amount	APY	Interest Earned (5 Years)	Balance at Maturity
$5,000	4.15%	$1,151	$6,151
$10,000	4.15%	$2,302	$12,302
$25,000	4.15%	$5,754	$30,754
$50,000	4.15%	$11,508	$61,508
$100,000	4.15%	$23,016	$123,016

Interest calculations assume monthly compounding and no withdrawals during the term. Use our compound interest calculator for custom scenarios.

What Is a 5-Year CD?

A 5-year certificate of deposit (CD) is a savings product where you deposit money with a bank or credit union for a fixed 60-month term. In exchange for locking up your funds for the longest standard CD term, you earn a guaranteed, fixed interest rate that will not change regardless of what happens to market rates over those five years.

The 60-month term is the longest widely available CD. Some banks offer 7-year or 10-year CDs, but they are uncommon and rarely worth the additional commitment. The 5-year CD represents the practical ceiling for how long most savers should lock their money in a certificate of deposit.

Early withdrawal penalties on 5-year CDs are the steepest of any standard term — typically 12 to 18 months of interest. This means cashing out early can cost you a full year or more of earnings, making it critical that you are certain you will not need this money before maturity.

All CDs from FDIC-insured banks are federally protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank — the same coverage as any checking or savings account, regardless of term length. Learn more about FDIC insurance.

5-Year CD vs Other CD Terms

How does a 60-month CD compare to other popular terms? Here are today's best rates by term length:

Term	Best APY	Bank	Best For
6-Month	4.20%	United Fidelity Bank, fsb	Short-term savings, testing the waters
1-Year	4.23%	GECU	Balanced rate and flexibility
2-Year	4.20%	Mountain America Credit Union	Medium-term rate lock
3-Year	4.10%	United Fidelity Bank, fsb	Moderate commitment, longer lock
5-Year	4.15%	United Fidelity Bank, fsb	Maximum rate lock, CD ladder anchor

In a normal yield environment, 5-year CDs pay more than shorter terms because you are committing your money for longer. But when the yield curve is flat or inverted — as often happens after the Fed raises rates — 5-year rates may be similar to or even below 1-year and 2-year rates. When that happens, shorter terms give you nearly the same return with far more flexibility.

5-Year CD vs High-Yield Savings Account

Both 5-year CDs and HYSAs are safe, FDIC-insured savings options. The key trade-off is a fixed rate locked for 60 months (CD) versus a variable rate with full liquidity (HYSA).

Feature	5-Year CD	HYSA
Best Rate	4.15%	4.50%
Rate Type	Fixed for 60 months	Variable (can change anytime)
Liquidity	Locked for 60 months	Withdraw anytime
Early Withdrawal	Steep penalty (12-18 months interest)	No penalty
FDIC Insured	Yes, up to $250,000	Yes, up to $250,000
Best When Rates Are	Falling (locks high rate for 5 years)	Rising (captures increases)

Bottom line: A 5-year CD makes the strongest case when rates are at or near their peak and you expect significant declines over the next several years. A HYSA earning 4.50% today could easily drop to 2% or 3% within two years if the Fed cuts rates aggressively. A 5-year CD locks in today's rate through all of that. On the flip side, if rates stay high or rise, you are stuck at your locked rate for five years. Read our full HYSA vs CD comparison.

When Does a 5-Year CD Make Sense?

A 60-month CD is the right choice in specific situations:

•You believe rates have peaked — If the Federal Reserve has finished raising rates and a multi-year cutting cycle lies ahead, a 5-year CD locks in peak rates for the longest possible period. This is the single strongest argument for a 60-month CD. See our rate forecast.
•You are anchoring a CD ladder — The 5-year CD is the top rung in a classic CD ladder. Once your ladder is established, every rung becomes a 5-year CD with one maturing annually, giving you 5-year rates with annual liquidity. Use our CD ladder calculator to model your returns.
•You have a long-term savings goal — Saving for a child's education, a future home purchase, or another goal roughly five years away? A 5-year CD guarantees a fixed return on that specific pool of savings. You know exactly what you will have at maturity.
•You want bond-like certainty without bond risk — A 5-year Treasury note or bond can lose market value if rates rise (you lose principal if you sell early). A 5-year CD has no market risk — your principal is always whole, and the early withdrawal penalty is limited to a portion of interest, never principal.
•You want to diversify your savings strategy — Pairing a 5-year CD with a high-yield savings account gives you both a guaranteed long-term rate and flexible short-term access. Keep your emergency fund and short-term cash in the HYSA; put your untouchable long-term savings in the 5-year CD.

When a 5-Year CD May Not Be Right

•The yield curve is flat or inverted — when 5-year CDs pay the same (or less) than 1-year or 2-year CDs, you gain little from the longer commitment. You are better off with a shorter term and the option to reinvest. Check our CD rates overview to see how terms compare right now.
•You might need the money — the 12-to-18-month early withdrawal penalty on a 5-year CD can erase more than a year of interest. If there is any chance you will need these funds, use a shorter CD, a no-penalty CD, or a HYSA.
•Rates are still rising — locking in now means missing higher rates that may come in the next 6 to 12 months. In a rising rate environment, shorter CDs or a HYSA let you capture increases sooner.
•You are in a high-tax state — Treasury securities are exempt from state and local income taxes, which can make a 5-year Treasury note a better after-tax deal than a 5-year CD in states like California, New York, or New Jersey.

How to Choose the Best 5-Year CD

1. Prioritize APY Above All Else

Over five years, small rate differences compound into real money. A 0.30% higher rate on $25,000 translates to roughly $375 more in interest over 60 months. Online banks and credit unions consistently offer the highest rates — big national banks rarely compete on long-term CD pricing.

2. Scrutinize the Early Withdrawal Penalty

This matters more for a 5-year CD than any other term. A penalty of 18 months of interest means cashing out after 2 years could leave you with less interest than a 2-year CD would have paid. If you are even slightly unsure about your 5-year commitment, the penalty terms should influence which bank you choose. Some banks charge only 6 months of interest even on 5-year CDs — that flexibility has real value.

3. Check the Minimum Deposit

Some 5-year CDs require $500 or $1,000 to open, while others have no minimum. If you are building a CD ladder and splitting your funds across multiple terms, minimum deposit requirements can add up quickly.

4. Verify FDIC or NCUA Insurance

Non-negotiable. Only deposit money at FDIC-insured banks or NCUA-insured credit unions. With a 5-year commitment, you want absolute certainty that your principal is protected. Verify at fdic.gov/BankFind. All institutions listed on SafetyYield are federally insured. Learn more about FDIC insurance.

5. Set Multiple Calendar Reminders

Five years is a long time. Set a reminder 30 days and 7 days before maturity. Most banks auto-renew at whatever rate they are offering at the time — which after five years could be dramatically different from what you locked in. Missing the grace period means getting locked into another 5-year CD at a rate you did not choose.

The 5-Year CD as Your Ladder Anchor

In a classic CD ladder, the 5-year CD is the top rung — earning the highest rate in your portfolio. As each shorter rung matures, you reinvest it into a new 5-year CD. Over time, every rung becomes a 5-year CD maturing one year apart, giving you long-term rates with annual access.

CD Ladder Calculator →CD Ladder Strategy Guide

Tips for Getting the Most From a 5-Year CD

Use it as your rate ceiling, not your only product

Do not put all your savings into a single 5-year CD. Pair it with shorter-term CDs and a high-yield savings account so you maintain liquidity at different intervals. The 5-year CD captures the longest rate lock; your other products handle flexibility.

Compare after-tax returns if you are in a high-tax state

CD interest is fully taxable at federal, state, and local levels. Treasury securities are exempt from state and local taxes. In states with 9%+ income tax rates, a 5-year Treasury note yielding slightly less than a 5-year CD may actually put more money in your pocket after taxes. Compare CDs vs Treasuries.

Watch for promotional and special rates

Some banks offer promotional 5-year CD rates that exceed their standard rates, especially for new customers or during competitive periods. These offers are time-limited, so acting quickly when you spot a standout rate matters more for a 5-year term than a 6-month one — you are locking that rate in for half a decade.

Consider the tax timing

You will receive a 1099-INT each year for interest earned that year, even though the CD has not matured. Over five years, this means paying taxes on interest you cannot access yet. For large deposits, plan for this annual tax liability. Some savers time their CD purchases to align with their tax situation. Learn more about savings interest taxes.

Never use this for your emergency fund

A 5-year CD is the worst possible home for emergency savings. The steep penalties and complete illiquidity make it entirely wrong for money you might need on short notice. Keep 3 to 6 months of expenses in a properly funded emergency account before committing anything to a long-term CD.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best 5-year CD rate right now?

The best 5-year CD rate is currently 4.15% APY from United Fidelity Bank, fsb. Rates change frequently, so check our rate tables for the latest numbers. All listed CDs are from FDIC-insured or NCUA-insured institutions.

Is a 5-year CD worth it?

A 5-year CD is worth it if you have money you will not need for 60 months and want to lock in a guaranteed rate for the longest standard term available. It is especially valuable when interest rates are expected to decline significantly, because your rate stays fixed for the entire five-year period while savings account rates fall. The trade-off is a steeper early withdrawal penalty and complete loss of liquidity for a longer stretch.

What happens when my 5-year CD matures?

When your CD matures after 60 months, you can withdraw your principal plus all earned interest penalty-free. Most banks auto-renew into a new 5-year CD at whatever rate is current at that time, which may be much lower than your original rate. Set a calendar reminder at least a week before maturity to decide whether to renew, withdraw, or move the money to a better-paying institution.

Can I withdraw from a 5-year CD early?

Yes, but you will pay a significant early withdrawal penalty. For 5-year CDs, this is typically 12 to 18 months of interest, which is the steepest penalty of any standard CD term. On a large deposit, this can wipe out a substantial portion of your earnings. If there is any chance you might need the money, consider a CD ladder or split your savings between a long-term CD and a high-yield savings account.

Are 5-year CDs FDIC insured?

Yes. CDs from FDIC-insured banks are protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank. Credit union CDs (called share certificates) carry the equivalent NCUA insurance. The term length does not affect your insurance coverage. All institutions listed on SafetyYield are federally insured.

Should I get a 5-year CD or a 2-year CD?

It depends on how long you can commit your money and your rate outlook. A 5-year CD (currently up to 4.15%) locks your rate for 60 months, while a 2-year CD (currently up to 4.20%) gives you access after 24 months. If you are confident rates will fall and you will not need the money for five years, the longer term provides more protection. If you are less certain, a 2-year CD or a CD ladder gives you flexibility to adjust.

How much interest will I earn on a 5-year CD?

At the current top rate of 4.15%, a $10,000 deposit in a 5-year CD would earn approximately $2,302 in interest over 60 months. A $25,000 deposit would earn about $5,754, and $50,000 would earn roughly $11,508. Interest on CDs compounds, so the longer the term, the more compounding works in your favor.