Fidelity CD Rates for November 2023

Fidelity Investments is a brokerage providing stock trading, IRAs, Roth IRAs, mutual funds, ETFs and brokered CDs, among other products. Rated as one of the best online brokerages, with an average score of 4.8 stars from GOBankingRates, Fidelity offers fee-free trading, over 200 branch locations across the U.S. for personalized service and 24/7 phone help.

What Are Fidelity’s CD Rates Right Now?

How Do Fidelity CDs Work?

Fidelity’s brokered certificates of deposit are issued by a variety of banks. You can choose the banks to invest. Since you can divide CDs across multiple banks, using Fidelity as your brokerage, your money can be FDIC-insured past the maximum per-account limit of $250,000. Yet you don’t have to open multiple trading or deposit accounts, making money management easier. You can manage all your CDs through the Fidelity app.

Most new-issue Fidelity CDs are sold in $1,000 increments. If you wanted to open a $20,000 CD, you would purchase 20 $1,000 CDs. Fidelity also offers fractional CDs, sold in increments of $100. Interest rates for whole CDs may be higher than for fractional CDs. The rates above indicate whole CD rates.

Bank CDs vs. Brokered CDs

You may wonder about the differences between brokered CDs you purchase through Fidelity and bank CDs that you can buy online or at traditional brick-and-mortar banks. Brokered CDs and bank CDs share many similar characteristics, including a fixed interest rate and FDIC insurance.

However, you can sell brokered CDs on the secondary market, which means they have more liquidity, as they don’t have to be held until maturity.

Interest

It’s important to note that brokered CDs do not pay compound interest, as bank CDs often do. Interest is deposited into your Fidelity brokerage account, not back into the CD.

Interest might be paid monthly, quarterly, semiannually, annually or at maturity, depending on the CD.

Volatility

Brokered CDs also exhibit more volatility in daily rates. While bank CDs might stay set at the same APY for months at a time, Fidelity CD rates may change daily. Check your Fidelity app or reach out to a Fidelity advisor for the most accurate rates when you are ready to invest.

Variety

Fidelity also offers more types of CDs than you may find at a bank. These include:

• Whole CDs
• Fractional CDs
• CD ladders with varying maturity dates

About Fidelity’s Auto Roll Program

Fidelity new-issue CDs with terms of up to five years qualify for the brokerage’s Auto Roll program. When the principal matures, you will receive an alert. Fidelity’s service will assist you in exploring reinvestment options similar to your initial investment.

You can turn off the service at any time during the CD’s term with no penalties. You can also add to your position, or you can opt to sell part of the position while reinvesting the balance.

Since you can choose where to invest, you have greater control over your money than you might with bank CDs. When a bank CD reaches maturity, you can withdraw the money and shop around for a higher interest rate or roll the money over into a new CD at your bank’s prevailing rate. Fidelity CDs allow you to keep the money within the brokerage while choosing a new investment.

You can also use the Auto Roll program when you build a ladder of CDs with varying maturity terms.

Pros and Cons of Fidelity Brokered CDs

Fidelity is a reputable brokerage with fee-free trading and an intuitive app. Fidelity brokered CDs offer a number of advantages to investors, but there are a few drawbacks to understand, as well.

Pros

• FDIC insurance beyond $250,000
• Fractional CDs available with a minimum deposit of $100
• Auto Roll program helps your money grow faster
• No trading fees to purchase new-issue CDs
• May have higher rates than banks
• Ability to sell CDs before maturity
• No early withdrawal penalties
• Wide range of CD products

Cons

• $1,000 opening deposit for whole CD
• Pays simple interest, not compound interest
• Selling CDs before maturity could result in loss of interest and principal

Who Are Fidelity CDs Best For?

Fidelity CD rates are competitive and are best for investors who want flexibility. Because Fidelity gives you a choice of bank CDs to invest in, with options such as call protection, these investments are best for investors with some knowledge and experience.

Investing in brokered CDs is not a “hands-off” practice, where you choose your CD, choose your term and let your interest accumulate. Rather, active investors can leverage Fidelity’s options to maximize their money, increase their FDIC protection beyond the federal maximum per account and create CD ladders to increase the liquidity of their funds.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Nov. 6, 2023.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

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