Best 3-Year CD Rates Today: April 2026 — Earn Up to 4.10% APY 

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Locking in a 3-year CD right now means guaranteeing your rate through 2029 — regardless of what the Fed does between now and then. If rates drop over the next few years (and many economists think they will), the savers who locked in early will look very smart. The best 3-year CD rates are currently sitting at 4.10% APY, and the options below make it easy to find one that fits your situation.

Today’s Best 3-Year CD Rates

When you put your money in a deposit account, you want to maximize your earning potential. Here’s a look at the best rates for three-year CDs currently available.

Where to get the best 3-year CD rate

Right now, the highest rate available on a 3-year CD is 4.10% APY, offered by United Fidelity Bank, fsb through their 36-month online CD special. The $1,000 minimum to earn the rate is standard, though the minimum deposit to open isn’t publicly listed — worth confirming directly with the bank before you apply.

Is a 3-year CD right for you?

A 3-year CD makes sense when you want to lock in today’s rates and have money you’re confident you won’t need for the full term.

$10,000 at 4.10% APY earns roughly $1,270 over three years with compounding. That same $10,000 in a typical 0.5% savings account earns about $150 over the same period. That’s over $1,100 more — for simply choosing where to park your money.

A 3-year CD is a good fit if you:

• Have cash you won’t need access to until 2028 or later
• Want to lock in a guaranteed rate before potential Fed rate cuts
• Prefer predictable, fixed returns over market-linked growth

It’s probably not the right fit if you:

• Might need the money within the next one to two years
• Want the flexibility to chase higher rates if the market shifts
• Are comfortable with investment risk in pursuit of higher long-term returns

Consider a CD ladder if you want more flexibility

Rather than putting everything into one 3-year CD, spread your money across CDs with staggered terms — for example, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year. Money becomes available on a rolling basis, you’re never fully locked out, and you can reinvest at current rates as each one matures.

How to compare 3-year CDs

Choosing a 3-year CD involves a few more trade-offs than a shorter-term option. Here’s what to weigh.

• Early withdrawal penalties. At three years, breaking a CD early hurts more than it would on a shorter term. Penalties typically range from 150 to 365 days of interest — always calculate the dollar cost before you commit, not just the days.
• Minimum deposit requirements. Minimums can range from nothing to $25,000 or more. Focus only on options that match what you actually have available — a slightly lower rate you can access beats a higher one you can’t.
• Bank vs. credit union. FDIC and NCUA insurance both protect deposits up to $250,000 per depositor — the coverage is equivalent. The key difference is that credit unions often have membership eligibility requirements, so confirm you qualify before applying.
• Rate security over three years. If rates fall during your term, you’ll be earning above whatever the market offers. If rates rise, you’ll be locked in below it. Think carefully about the rate environment before committing to a longer term.
• What happens at maturity. Most CDs auto-renew at the current going rate when they mature — which may be higher or lower than what you locked in. Set a reminder before your maturity date so you’re making an active choice, not defaulting into whatever the bank offers next.

Good To Know

A CD usually pays a higher interest rate than a traditional savings account or checking account, because when you buy a CD, you agree to leave your money for a fixed period. In exchange, the bank will give you a higher interest rate that won’t change over the term of the CD.

If you take your money out before the term is over, you’ll be penalized. The penalty is typically a fixed amount of the interest you earn on the CD. In most cases, if you open a three-year CD and then take the money out within the first six months, you’ll lose money. The penalty will be greater than the amount of interest you’ve earned, so you’ll get back less than the amount you deposited.

How Much Can You Earn with a 3-Year CD Right Now?

You can earn a good amount of money in a CD, but it all depends on how much you deposit upfront. This chart calculates how much you can earn on a three-year CD earning 3.60% APY with various deposit amounts: 

Three-Year CD Rate Movement Tracker

This chart shows how national average rates for three-year CDs have fluctuated in 2025, using data from the FDIC.

Are 3-Year CD Rates Going Up or Down?

In 2025, three-year CDs have maintained the same rates. But rate cuts by the Federal Reserve could change your finances. The Fed’s decisions impact bank account interest rates. When the Fed cuts rates, banks usually lower CD rates. 

According to the latest Summary of Economic Projections released by the Fed, the Fed projects several rate cuts in the future. However, projections can change over time, and there’s disagreement between Federal Reserve board members on how quickly rates should be cut. 

In 2022 and 2023, the Fed raised interest rates to tackle inflation. CD rates went up rapidly. The Fed’s goal has been to lower inflation to 2% while also maintaining maximum employment and stable prices. 

In 2024 and 2025, the Fed has mostly maintained rates, while only cutting rates a few times. CD rates have declined slightly, but they’re still among the highest seen in the last 20 years when you look at historical CD rates.

You might notice that short-term certificates are higher than long-term certificates, including three-year CD rates. This is because you’re seeing an inverted yield curve. It might be a bad sign for the economy, since there’s economic uncertainty.

Should You Open a 3-Year CD Today?

A three-year CD can be an important component of your savings and investing strategy, but only if that timeframe makes sense for your goals. You might like a three-year CD if you want a low-risk account for storing money. But take into consideration the early withdrawal penalty, and decide if accessibility really matters to you. 

You could choose to open a high-yield savings account or money market account instead of a CD. These accounts also pay higher than traditional savings accounts and give you ways to access your money sooner than a CD. You could also choose to open multiple accounts at once.

How GOBankingRates Chose the Best 3-Year CDs: Methodology

Several factors were analyzed to determine the picks for the best three-year CD rates. Here are the key features GOBankingRates used for comparison:

• The minimum deposit amount needed to open a CD
• Annual percentage yield
• Which CD terms have higher interest rates compared to the national average
• How three-year CD rates compare to other banking products offered

Karen Doyle contributed to the reporting for this article.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of April 21, 2026. 

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