- Personal Finance
- Banking
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
If you’re looking for a way to earn a competitive return on your savings without locking up your money for years, an 18-month CD could be the sweet spot. This mid-term option offers higher interest rates than most savings accounts while giving you more flexibility than longer-term CDs.
If you’re unsure where to begin, don’t worry: We’ve done the research for you. Our team analyzed dozens of accounts to find the 10 best 18-month CDs, focusing on high yields, low fees, and easy-to-meet deposit requirements. (See our full methodology here.)
Best 18-month CDs
The following is a snapshot of our picks for the best 18-month CDs available today. Keep reading for more details about these accounts.
Ally Bank
-
APY: 3.6%
-
Minimum opening deposit: $0
Ally’s 18-month CD took the top spot on our list with a competitive rate of 3.6% APY and no minimum opening deposit requirement. Interest compounds daily.
Early withdrawals before the CD reaches maturity incur a fee equal to 60 days’ interest.
Read our full review of Ally Bank
Synchrony Bank
-
APY: 3.8%
-
Minimum opening deposit: $0
Synchrony Bank’s 18-month CD offers a competitive 3.8% APY with no minimum opening deposit. Making an early withdrawal from this account incurs a penalty of 180 days’ simple interest.
Read our full review of Synchrony Bank
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
-
APY: 4%
-
Minimum opening deposit: $500
The 18-month CD from Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers 4% APY and requires a minimum deposit of $500. Interest compounds daily.
Making an early withdrawal from this account results in a penalty equal to 180 days’ interest on the original principal balance at the interest rate in effect for the CD.
Read our full review of Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Limelight Bank
Account details
-
APY: 3.9%
-
Minimum opening deposit: $1,000
Limelight Bank’s 18-month CD offers an impressive rate of 3.9% with a minimum deposit of $1,000. Interest compounds daily and is credited quarterly.
Live Oak Bank
-
APY: 3.6%
-
Minimum opening deposit: $2,500
Live Oak Bank’s 18-month CD offers a competitive 3.6% APY, and interest compounds daily. This account also has the highest minimum opening deposit on our list at $2,500.
The early withdrawal penalty for this account is equal to 90 days’ simple interest.
America First Credit Union
-
APY: 3.95%
-
Minimum opening deposit: $500
America First Credit Union’s 18-month CD offers 3.95% APY and requires a minimum opening deposit of $500. Dividends are compounded and credited monthly.
The early withdrawal penalty for this account is equal to 180 days’ dividends.
Read our full review of America First Credit Union
Bank5Connect
-
APY: 3.2%
-
Minimum opening deposit: $500
Bank5Connect’s 18-month CD requires a minimum opening deposit of $500 and offers 3.2% APY. Interest compounds monthly. The early withdrawal penalty is six months’ interest.
Read our full review of Bank5 Connect
Bask Bank
-
APY: 3.75%
-
Minimum opening deposit: $1,000
Bask Bank’s 18-month CD provides a competitive 3.75% APY with a minimum opening deposit of $1,000. The penalty for making an early withdrawal from this account is equal to 180 days’ interest based on the principal amount withdrawn.
Read our full review of Bask Bank
TAB Bank
-
APY: 3.87%
-
Minimum opening deposit: $1,000
TAB Bank’s 18-month CD features a rate of 3.87% APY with daily compounding interest. The minimum opening deposit for this account is $1,000.
The penalty for early withdrawals is equal to 180 days’ interest on the amount withdrawn.
Read our full review of TAB Bank
Bread Savings
-
APY: 3.75%
-
Minimum opening deposit: $1,500
The 18-month CD from Bread Savings offers 3.75% APY, though the minimum opening deposit for this account is on the higher end at $1,500. Interest is compounded daily and credited monthly.
Read our full review of Bread Savings
18-month CD FAQs
How much do you make on an 18-month CD?
The amount of interest you can expect to earn from an 18-month CD depends on how much you deposit, your CD’s interest rate, and how frequently the interest on your CD compounds.
Right now, the most competitive CD rates on the market are as high as 4%. So, say you deposit $1,000 into an 18-month CD at a rate of 4% APY. If interest compounds monthly, you'd earn about $60 in interest by the end of your CD's term.
Is an 18-month CD a good idea?
An 18-month CD can be a worthwhile investment if you can secure a favorable rate and know you won't need to access the funds for that period of time. If you have a specific goal and timeline in mind, using a CD to boost your savings can be a smart strategy.
Explore the best CD rates:
-
Best 6-month CD rates
-
Best 1-year CD rates
-
Best overall CD rates
Read more: Understanding CD terms: How long should you lock in your money?
Up Next
Best 18-month CDs methodology
Our grading system, collected and carefully reviewed by our personal finance experts, comprised over 300 data points for federally insured CDs with 18-month terms. We used this data to develop our list of the best CDs.
We evaluated these accounts according to several key metrics, including annual percentage yield, minimum opening deposit, compounding frequency, and more.
The accounts on our list could earn a maximum of 25 points across all metrics. Here’s a closer look at the categories we considered:
-
Annual percentage yield (APY): Accounts with higher APYs were rewarded with more points than those with lower APYs. Note that rates on our list are current at the time of publishing, but are subject to change at any time.
-
Minimum opening deposit: Many CDs require a minimum deposit to open an account. Accounts with no or low minimum deposit requirements ranked more favorably than those with higher opening deposit requirements.
-
Compounding frequency: Compounding can occur daily, monthly, quarterly, or even annually. We awarded more points to accounts that compound interest frequently.
-
Customer service contact methods: Our team awarded one point for every contact method available to customers (phone, email, chat).
Read More
Best 1-year CD rates for March 2026: Lock in up to 4% APY for the next 12 months
Compare today’s best 1-year CD rates, see which banks offer the highest yields, and learn how to lock in a guaranteed return on your savings.
Best 6-month CD rates for March 2026: Earn up to 4.05% APY
A 6-month CD allows you to lock in a guaranteed rate on your savings without tying up your money for an extended period. See which banks have the best 6-month CD rates today.
Best 2-year CD rates for March 2026: Lock in the highest rates
A 2-year CD allows you to lock in a guaranteed rate on your savings for the next 24 months. See which banks have the best 2-year CD rates today.
The best CD rates for March 2026: Earn up to 4.05% APY
We identified the best CD rates and accounts available today based on interest rates, fees, and more. See our top picks across 6-month, 1-year, 18-month, and 2-year terms.
These 7 banks offer CDs with no minimum deposit requirement
CD minimum deposit requiements can make it tough for new savers to open an account. But some CDs have no minimum deposit. Here are eight options to consider.
10 best high-yield savings accounts for March 2026: Earn up to 4% APY
These are the best high-yield savings accounts today. We evaluated dozens of accounts to find the 10 best. See our picks based on interest rates, fees, and more.