Key takeaways Today's top CDs offer up to 4.65% APY.The Federal Reserve's rate pause last week means high APYs should stick around a bit longer.Rate cuts are expected later this year, so locking in your APY now can protect your earnings. The Federal Reserve's latest rate pause is great news for savers, especially those thinking of opening a certificate of deposit.When the Fed holds interest rates steady, banks tend to do the same with their CD rates. That means there's still time to score up to 4.65% annual percentage yield, or APY, with today's best CDs. And since your APY is locked in when you open a CD, your earnings will stay the same even if the Fed cuts rates later this year -- which experts expect it will.Here are some of the highest CD rates and how much you could earn by depositing $5,000.Today's best CD rates Term Highest APY*BankEstimated earnings6 months 4.65%CommunityWide Federal Credit Union$114.931 year 4.45%CommunityWide Federal Credit Union$222.503 years 4.15%America First Credit Union$648.695 years 4.25%America First Credit Union$1,156.73 Experts recommend comparing rates before opening a CD account to get the best APY possible. Enter your information below to get CNET's partners' best rate for your area.Open a CD now to maximize your earning potentialAPYs on CDs and savings accounts have been falling since the Fed cut interest rates three times at the end of 2024. But with inflation inching back up, the Fed chose to hold rates steady at its January meeting, and experts believe it will keep rates paused for a while. As a result, banks are hedging their bets by keeping CD rates relatively flat, too, particularly given the uncertainty around the new administration's policies."The Fed's goal is to bring inflation down further, and if tariffs come into play, they could have an inflationary effect," said Chad Olivier, certified financial planner and CEO of The Olivier Group. "Because of this uncertainty, I believe the Fed will take more of a wait-and-see approach before making any moves."By securing a high APY now, you can maximize your earning potential. Your APY is locked in when you open a CD, which means your rate of return will stay the same even when the Fed begins cutting the benchmark rate again.You can earn up to 5% APY on the best high-yield savings accounts. Check out today's rates.Average CD rates from week to week Term Last week's CNET average APYThis week's CNET average APYWeekly change**6 months 4.11%4.10%-0.24%1 year 4.05%4.06%0.00253 years 3.53%3.54%0.00285 years 3.52%3.55%0.0085 Things to keep in mind when comparing CDsA competitive APY is important, but it's not the only thing you should consider. To find the right CD for you, weigh these factors, too:When you'll need your money: Early withdrawal penalties on CDs can eat into your interest earnings if you need your money before the term ends, so choose a timeline that makes sense. Alternatively, you can select a no-penalty CD, although the APY may not be as high as you'd get with a traditional CD of the same term.Minimum deposit requirement: Some CDs require a minimum deposit to open an account, typically $500 to $1,000. Knowing how much money you have to set aside can help you narrow your options.Fees: Maintenance and other fees can cut into your savings. Many online banks don't charge fees because they have lower overhead costs than banks with physical branches. Read the fine print for any account you're evaluating.Safety and security: Make sure the bank or credit union you're considering is an FDIC or NCUA member so your money is protected if the bank fails.Customer ratings and reviews: Visit sites like Trustpilot to see what customers are saying about the bank. You want a bank that's responsive, professional and easy to work with.MethodologyCNET reviews CD rates based on the latest APY information from issuer websites. We evaluated CD rates from more than 50 banks, credit unions and financial companies. We evaluate CDs based on APYs, product offerings, accessibility and customer service.The current banks included in CNET's weekly CD averages include Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, American Express National Bank, Barclays, Bask Bank, Bread Savings, Capital One, CFG Bank, CIT, Fulbright, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, MYSB Direct, Quontic, Rising Bank, Synchrony, EverBank, Popular Bank, First Internet Bank of Indiana, America First Federal Credit Union, CommunityWide Federal Credit Union, Discover, Bethpage, BMO Alto, Limelight Bank, First National Bank of America and Connexus Credit Union.*APYs as of Jan. 30, 2025, based on the banks we track at CNET. Earnings are based on APYs and assume interest is compounded annually.**Weekly percentage increase/decrease from Jan. 21, 2025, to Jan. 28, 2025.More on CDs