CD rates could shift this month, but what direction will they ultimately head in?
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Interest rates have been on a rollercoaster lately. After several rate cuts by the Federal Reserve last year, interest rates fell significantly across many products. But with today's market uncertainty and a continued pause in Fed rate cuts, that decline has petered out — and in some cases, even reversed.
That trend can certainly be seen in certificates of eposit (CDs), which saw rates rise slightly over the last month on some longer-term products, according to the FDIC. Will that continue to be the case as spring plows forward, though?
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Will CD interest rates rise this April? 3 things experts say to consider now
Here's what experts have to say about CD rates and where they expect them to head this April.
CD rates are most likely holding steady
For the most part, experts say you can expect rates on CDs to hold steady in April, with some potential for minor fluctuations here and there.
"CD rates are expected to remain stable in the immediate short term, following the Federal Reserve's decision on March 18 to hold the federal funds rate steady," says Alastair Wood, CEO of savings marketplace Raisin. "While the Fed's dot plot still suggests one more rate cut later in 2026, the current stance is one of cautious observation — especially as inflation remains slightly above target. Because banks have already priced in this gradual easing, there is very little upward pressure on yields right now."
According to Wood, this stability creates a window of opportunity for savers, one in which you can snag rates that are still high without having to time the market correctly.
"While the era of peak yields has likely passed, this shift is actually a positive development for savers," Wood says. "Even as the Fed moves toward a more neutral policy, today's environment remains highly attractive. You can secure a meaningful real return and lock in predictable growth before rates drift further toward their long-term averages."
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The Fed — and inflation — holds the keys
For CD rates to move at all, there would need to be some changes with the Fed, employment and inflation.
"The Federal Open Market Committee looks at many economic indicators when making the decision to raise or cut rates, but the two most important are the unemployment rate and the inflation rate," says Todd Gunderson, president and CEO of Credit Union 1. "When unemployment rises, the FOMC is more likely to cut rates, and when inflation rises, the FOMC is more likely to raise rates."
As of the most recent numbers, inflation is sitting just above the Fed's target 2%. However, the conflict in Iran and other geopolitical issues could change that.
"For CD rates to move upward from their current plateau, the market would need to see a reversal in recent cooling trends — specifically 'sticky' inflation in the housing and services sectors that remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve's target," Wood says. "If price pressures persist, the Fed would likely pause its easing cycle, signaling banks to maintain or even slightly nudge deposit rates higher to stay competitive."
The CD term matters significantly
Rates can vary a lot depending on the CD term and maturity date, and while longer-term CDs have seen slight increases lately, shorter-term CDs still have much higher rates at most institutions.
"Short‑term CDs are where the value is at right now," says Bryan Johnson, CFO of Seattle Bank and CDValet.com. "The reason is straightforward: Institutions want deposit inflows, but they don't want to lock in high funding costs for years. So, they're concentrating their most competitive offers in the three- to 12-month range, where they can attract savers without taking on long-term rate risk."
The highest APYs are on 6-month CDs, according to CD Valet data, which average about 3.43%. Rates on 1-year CDs are next, with an average rate of 3.26%. Rates on longer-term 2- and 3-year CDs are averaging 3.04% and 2.94%, respectively.
Experts say the Treasury yield curve is flattening, though, which could mean longer-term rates will start to win out in the near future.
"We might soon be seeing higher rates for three- to five-year CDs, rather than the one-year CDs," Gunderson says.
The bottom line
CDs are in high demand these days. "In times of global uncertainty, CDs offer a safe haven by providing a fixed, predictable return that is unaffected by market volatility," Woods says. "By locking in a rate now, you're essentially buying insurance against future rate declines, ensuring your money keeps working hard regardless of how the geopolitical or economic landscape shifts."
If you might need to access your money before your CD's maturity date, no-penalty CDs can be an option, though they do tend to have lower interest rates than traditional CDs. You can also think about a high-yield savings account. These offer higher-than-average interest rates, but allow you to maintain access to your funds at all times.
And if you do opt to open a CD in the next month or two, be sure to shop around, as rates can vary widely between institutions. According to Wood, digital and small community banks tend to offer the lowest CD rates thanks to their lower overhead costs. Credit unions can also be a good option, with some even offering CD rates of 5% or more on Raisin, Johnson says.
Edited by Angelica Leicht
