Best 18-month CD rates for May 2024

An 18-month CD is a relatively short-term investment. While your money is locked up for a year and a half, you’ll have access to it — plus interest — when the term expires. When comparing your savings options, it’s important to take into account liquidity as well as yield.

18-month vs. shorter term CDs

When you get a 12-month CD, you’re likely to see a smaller yield than an 18-month CD. Because a 12-month CD doesn’t lock your money away for as long, the yields are often a little lower.

However, with the shorter-term CD, you can access your money six months earlier. So, if you think you want penalty-free access to your money before an 18-month CD matures, it makes sense to take the lower yield in return for slightly better liquidity.

18-month vs. longer term CDs

When considering an 18-month CD, compare it to longer-term accounts. There are CDs that will lock up your money for two years or more, but they also pay higher yields. If you’re willing to avoid touching your money for a longer period of time, you could take advantage of yields that provide you with much better returns than an 18-month CD. In fact, a five-year CD often has better yields, and your money remains safe. There are even 10-year CDs, sometimes designed to be held in an IRA, that can provide you with safe yields. Before making a decision about what type of CD you want, consider your financial needs and situation. Think about when you might need to access the money and weigh it against the yield you receive.

When you choose money market or savings accounts, you have to be aware of the fact that your rate could drop at any time. With a CD, you lock in a rate, so you don’t have to worry about falling rates. The flip side, though, is that rates could go up, and if your money is in a CD, you can’t take advantage of the higher rate until after the term expires.

Consider a high yield savings account: You can find high-yield savings accounts that pay rates similar to top-yielding shorter-term CDs, like those with terms of 12-18 months. However, with a savings account, you have more immediate access to the money, and you typically won’t be penalized for making withdrawals. If you have short-term goals you’re saving for, or if you want a more accessible emergency fund, a savings account can be a smart choice.

Consider money market accounts with high yields: Another possibility, especially if you want check-writing privileges, is a money market account. There are money market accounts with much higher yields than traditional savings accounts, as well as quick, easy access to your money when you need it. With a top-yielding money market account, you might find a similar yield compared with top-yielding 18-month CDs. However, if you’re looking for penalty-free liquidity and accessibility, a money market account can be a good choice.

These financial institutions are featured in our CD rate research: Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amerant Bank, America First Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Axos Bank, Bank 5 Connect, Bank of America, Barclays, Bask Bank, BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union), Bethpage Federal Credit Union, BMO Harris Bank, Bread Financial (formerly Comenity Direct), BrioDirect, Capital One Bank, Chase Bank, CIBC USA, CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank (Rhode Island), Comerica Bank, Customers Bank, Delta Community Credit Union, Discover Bank, Emigrant Direct, EverBank (formerly TIAA Bank), Fifth Third Bank, First Citizens Bank, First Internet Bank, First Technology Federal Credit Union, FNBO Direct, Golden 1 Credit Union, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Huntington National Bank, Investors Bank, KeyBank, LegacyTexas Bank, Limelight Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, MySavingsDirect, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC Bank, PenFed Credit Union, PNC Bank, Popular Direct, Purepoint Financial, Quontic Bank, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union, Regions Bank, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, State Employees’ Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, TD Bank, Truist Bank, UFB Direct, U.S. Bank, USAA Bank, Vio Bank, VyStar Credit Union, Wells Fargo and Zions Bank.