The top-performing certificates of deposit offer rates of up to 4.50% APY (annual percentage yield) as of Aug. 21, 2026. The strongest options on the current list are Bread Savings’ 18-month CD and Popular Direct’s 3-year, 4-year and 5-year CDs. Fortune, working with financial data and analytics company Curinos, reviews daily rate reports covering CDs from 1 month through 10 years and organizes them by term. The Federal Reserve made three federal funds rate reductions in 2025, and some banks subsequently lowered CD and savings-account yields, making it probably prudent to consider locking in rates while they remain relatively favorable. CD earnings depend on the opening balance, term, APY and compounding schedule. On a $5,000 deposit with monthly compounding, a 1-year CD at 1.64% APY would generate an estimated $82.62, compared with $203.71 at 4.00%; over five years, estimated interest would be $346.28 at 1.34% versus $1,044.43 at 3.80%. The federal funds rate currently stands at 3.50%-3.75%, and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is scheduled to meet Sept. 15-16. CD rates generally follow the Federal Reserve’s policy direction, while longer terms can protect savers if future rate cuts reduce yields. Consumers should compare terms, APYs, minimum deposits, early-withdrawal fees and FDIC or NCUA insurance. High-yield savings accounts offer more flexibility but variable returns, and some leading accounts offer APYs between 4.00% and 5.00%.