Banking » Compare Banks » Best 6-Months CD Rates For August 2023: Comparison
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Best 6-Months CD Rates For September 2023: Comparison

The top 6-month CDs offer 3-4% APY and sometimes even more. Here's a comparison of rates and how much you can earn with each CD
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Interest Rates Last Update: August 20, 2023
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Interest Rates Last Update: August 20, 2023

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Table Of Content

A 6-month CD (Certificate of Deposit) is a type of savings account that offers a fixed interest rate for a period of six months. The depositor agrees to leave the funds in the account for the entire term, and in return, they receive a higher interest rate than a traditional savings account.

CDs are FDIC insured and are considered a low-risk investment option.

Compare 6-Month CD Rates

When comparing 6-month CD rates, it's important to consider the annual percentage yield (APY), which is the amount of interest you'll earn over the course of a year, taking into account the interest rate and the frequency of compounding.

It's important to compare the APYs offered by different financial institutions to get an accurate picture of the return on your investment. Keep in mind that a higher APY may not always be the best choice, as it may come with stricter penalties for early withdrawal or a lower level of financial stability.

Financial Institution
6 Months CD APY
Synchrony Bank
4.90%
CIT Bank
5.00%
Capital One Bank
4.30%
Discover Bank
3.40%
PenFed Credit Union
3.00%
Sallie Mae
4.95%
TIAA Bank
4.00%
Live Oak Bank
5.00%
LendingClub
5.00%
Ally Bank
3.50%
Marcus
4.90%
Merrick Bank
5.50%
Total Direct
5.56%
Alliant Credit Union
4.75%
First Internet Bank
5.22%
Popular Direct
5.35%
NASA Federal Credit Union
4.80%
Air Force Federal Credit Union
4.25%
Rising Bank
5.25%
Vio Bank
5.35%
Dow Credit Union
5.50%
Mountain America
5.50%
Quontic Bank
5.05%
Bellco Credit Union
4.75%
Prime Alliance Bank
5.25%
Bank 5 Connect
5.50%

How Much You Can Earn With 6-Month CD?

The amount you can earn with a 6-month CD depends on several factors, including the interest rate, the amount of money you deposit, and the frequency of compounding.

Here's your expected earnings (before tax) if you choose six months CD. This is just an estimate, and the actual amount of interest you earn may be different based on the terms and conditions of the CD.

Financial Institution
6 Months CD APY
Interest Earned
Synchrony Bank
4.90%
$2,118
CIT Bank
5.00%
$2,496
Capital One Bank
4.30%
$1,641
Discover Bank
3.40%
$1,691
Vanguard
5.50%
$2,547
Charles Schwab
5.58%
$2,476
Fidelity
5.30%
$2,522
PenFed Credit Union
3.00%
$1,340
Sallie Mae
4.95%
$1,992
TIAA Bank
4.00%
$1,641
Live Oak Bank
5.00%
$2,395
LendingClub
5.00%
$1,616
Ally Bank
3.50%
$1,691
Marcus
4.90%
$2,118
Merrick Bank
5.50%
$2,395
TD Bank
0.05%
$1,746

What Are the Main Drawbacks of a 6-Month CD?

There are several drawbacks to investing in a 6-month CD, including:

  • Limited flexibility: Once you deposit funds into a 6-month CD, you are committed to keeping the money in the account for the full term. If you need to access the funds before the end of the term, you may incur a penalty, unless it's defined as a no-penalty CD.

  • Low returns: The interest rate on a 6-month CD is generally lower than that of longer-term CDs. This means that you may not earn as much on your investment as you would with a longer-term CD or other investment options.

  • Inflation risk: The interest rate on a 6-month CD may not keep up with inflation, which could erode the purchasing power of your investment over time.

  • Opportunity cost: By locking your funds into a 6-month CD, you may miss out on other investment opportunities that could potentially provide a higher return.

  • Limited diversification: Investing all of your money in a 6-month CD may not provide enough diversification in your investment portfolio, which could lower your ROI and increase your risk.

It's important to consider these drawbacks and weigh them against the potential benefits of a 6-month CD before making a decision on whether it's the right investment for you. 

Financial Institution
6 Months CD Early Withdrawal Penalty
Synchrony Bank
90 days of interest
CIT Bank
3 months of interest
Capital One Bank
3 months of interest
Discover Bank
3 months of interest
PenFed Credit Union
90 days of dividends
Sallie Mae
90 days of interest
TIAA Bank
45 days of interest
Live Oak Bank
90 days of interes
LendingClub
All Interest
Ally Bank
60 days of interest
Marcus
90 days of interest
Merrick Bank
90 days of interest
TD Bank
3 months of interest

6-Month CD vs. Savings Account: Which Is Better?

The better option between a 6-month CD and a savings account depends on your financial goals and risk tolerance. Here are some factors to consider:

  • Interest rate: Savings accounts typically offer lower interest rates than 6-month CDs. However, the interest rate on a savings account is generally more flexible and may change over time. According to the table below, we can see some financial institutions offer higher interest on savings – in such a case, savings account is better option.

  • Access to funds: Savings accounts generally offer more flexibility in terms of accessing your funds, as you can usually withdraw your money at any time without incurring a penalty. With a 6-month CD, you are committed to keeping the funds in the account for the full term and may incur a penalty if you withdraw the funds early.

  • Safety: Both savings accounts and CDs are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, making them relatively safe investments.

If you're looking for a low-risk investment with a guaranteed return, a 6-month CD may be a good option. If you're looking for more flexibility and easier access to your funds, a savings account may be a better choice. 

Financial Institution
6 Months CD APY
Savings Account APY
Synchrony Bank
4.90%
4.75%
CIT Bank
5.00%
5.05%
Capital One Bank
4.30%
4.30%
Discover Bank
3.40%
4.30%
PenFed Credit Union
3.00%
3.00%
Sallie Mae
4.95%
4.50%
TIAA Bank
4.00%
5.00%
Live Oak Bank
5.00%
4.15%
LendingClub
5.00%
4.50%
Ally Bank
3.50%
4.25%
Marcus
4.90%
4.40%
Merrick Bank
5.50%
3.91% – 5.76%
TD Bank
0.05%
0.01% – 4.00%

Compare CD Rates

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann's areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.