Certificate of deposit cd typical minimum balance

A certificate of deposit (CD) is a low-risk savings tool that can boost the amount you earn in interest while keeping your money invested in a relatively safe way.

Like savings accounts, CDs are considered low risk because they are FDIC-insured up to $250,000. However, CDs generally allow your savings to grow at a faster rate than they would in a savings account.

In exchange for depositing your money into a bank for a fixed period (usually called the term or duration), the bank pays a fixed interest rate that’s typically higher than the rates offered on savings accounts. When the term is up (or when the CD matures), you get back the money you deposited (the principal) plus any interest that has accrued.

If you need to access your funds before the CD’s term ends, you are subject to an early withdrawal penalty, which can significantly reduce the interest you earned on the CD.

Tip: Before opening a CD, make sure you have an emergency fund—a comfortable amount of savings in an easily accessible account, such as a savings account.

CDs come in varying terms and may require different minimum balances. The rate you earn typically varies by the term and how much money is in the account. In general, the longer the term and the more money you deposit, the higher the rate you are offered. (A longer term does not necessarily require a larger minimum balance.)

Like savings accounts, CDs earn compound interest—meaning that periodically, the interest you earn is added to your principal. Then that new total amount earns interest of its own, and so on.

Because of the compound interest, it is important to understand the difference between interest rate and annual percentage yield (APY). The interest rate represents the fixed interest rate you receive, while APY refers to the amount you earn in one year, taking compound interest into account.

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a CD. First, when do you need the money? If you need it soon, consider a CD with a shorter term. But if you’re saving for something five years down the line, a CD with a longer term and higher rate may be more beneficial.

Also, consider the economic environment. If it seems that interest rates may rise, or if you want to open multiple CDs, CD laddering can be a good option.

Overall interest rates may change during your CD’s term. If rates rise, you miss out on earning those higher rates, since your money is committed for the CD’s term. However, if rates go down, you benefit: You still earn the higher rate that was offered when you opened the CD. CD laddering, buying multiple CDs of varying term lengths, can help address this concern.

It can also be a way for you to take advantage of longer terms (and therefore higher interest rates) while still giving you access to some of your money each year.

With a CD ladder, you divide your initial investment into equal parts and invest each portion in a CD that matures every year. For example, say Leo has $10,000. To build a CD ladder, he invests $2,000 each in a 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 4-year and 5-year CD. As each CD matures, he reinvests the money at the current interest rate or uses the cash for another purpose. If Leo reinvests his money, he might choose a new 5-year CD, which would ensure he has one CD maturing each year as long as he continues laddering.

Be sure to consider other options for saving or investing your funds. Different accounts offer different levels of risk and return. (Read more about how CDs compare with other low-risk savings accounts.) Always choose accounts that best fit your financial goals and your time frames. Learn more about CDs at Bank of America.

Many of us are familiar with Savings Accounts, which help us keep our money secure for when we need it later. When you see that teeny-tiny amount of interest accumulate year after year, though, you might wonder whether there are other ways to help your money grow. This is where a Certificate of Deposit or a Money Market Account might help.

Learn more about Certificates of Deposit and Money Market Accounts, their benefits and drawbacks, and how you can use them in an inflationary environment.

About Certificates of Deposit (CDs) 

A Certificate of Deposit, sometimes known as a CD, is a kind of savings account that holds a set amount of money for a set period of time. When you open a CD, you are putting money aside for a future date. In exchange, you receive a guarantee of a particular interest rate.

With a CD, that future date is referred to as the "maturity date." That means you must keep your assets in the account until the CD is considered mature. If you do not, you will be subject to an early withdrawal penalty. In most situations, CD maturity dates range between three months and five years. The longer your money is in the account, the more interest you can earn on that money.

CDs can often provide a higher interest rate than other kinds of savings accounts. When you agree to leave your money in a CD for a set amount of time, you are basically giving the bank permission to borrow your money during that time. As a result, you get those better interest rates -- but at the same time, you also have limited access to your money. That’s the trade-off when using a CD.

A CD may be the right choice for you if you wish to earn money on your assets in a low-risk manner. But that’s if you don’t need immediate access to those funds.

Also, be aware that CDs typically have a minimum deposit or balance requirement, such as $500. If you’re looking to set aside a lower amount, they might not be right for you.

What Are the Pros and Cons of CDs? 

Pros 

Interest rate: CDs may provide higher interest rates than other types of Savings Accounts.

Low risk: You won't have to deal with the volatility associated with other investment vehicles, such as the stock market.

Guaranteed return: As long as you keep your money in the CD until the maturity date, your money and any interest is guaranteed to come back to you.

Cons 

Penalties: If you are unable to leave your money in the CD until the maturity date, you will be penalized for early withdrawal.

Lack of flexibility: If you need to withdraw cash from a CD early, the money isn't as easily accessible as it would be in a Savings Account, for example.

Interest rate: While interest rates may be better than in other forms of Savings Accounts, they are typically not as high as they may be in other sorts of investments.

About Money Market Accounts 

Another type of Savings Account that might help you earn interest is a Money Market Account. If you're unfamiliar with Money Market Accounts, think of them as a cross between regular Savings Accounts and Checking Accounts. Money Market Accounts can be the ideal option for some people, as they can provide the “best of both worlds.”

Money Market Accounts, like Savings Accounts, can yield interest. However, one of the primary advantages of a Money Market Account is that it frequently earns higher interest than a typical Savings Account. However, Money Market Accounts frequently have greater balance requirements in order to receive that higher rate. Minimum amounts are often $1,000 or more.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Money Market Accounts? 

Pros 

Flexibility: One major benefit of a Money Market Account is how easy it is to access your funds through an ATM card and/or checkbook. Which means your money is there where and when you need it.

Interest rate: Money Market Accounts can help you earn a higher interest rate than a traditional Savings Account.

Low risk: As long as your money is held at an FDIC-insured financial institution, a Money Market Account is a low-risk way to grow your money in the account.

Cons 

Minimum balance requirement: A typical minimum balance for a Money Market Account is $1,000. That means a Money Market Account may not be the right choice for everyone.

Monthly maintenance fees: Some banks may charge monthly maintenance fees to customers using Money Market Accounts. Before signing up, be sure you’re aware of the terms and conditions of the account.

Interest rate: Although the interest rate is higher than with other types of Savings Accounts, the rate may not be as high as you like. This also may depend on your account balance. Which means you’ll need to have even more money in the account to take advantage of the best rates.

How Do CDs and Money Market Accounts Work During High Inflation? 

For many people in the U.S. and around the world, inflation is a topic that is top-of-mind right now. During times like this, and other periods of high inflation, you may wonder: Is a CD or Money Market Account worth it?

That’s because, according to Bankrate.com, the average five-year CD interest rate is 0.87% right now. But the inflation rate was up 8.3% year-over-year in August 2022, according to the latest data from BLS.gov. It’s easy to wonder whether putting your money into a CD or Money Market Account is actually causing you to lose money -- or at least purchasing power.

Depending on your own personal circumstances, CDs and money market accounts could still be the right choice. Keep in mind that, though they may have higher interest rates, these types of accounts aren’t meant to help you gain massive amounts of money. They’re intended to help you preserve the funds you already have, while making a little bit on top.

Ultimately, they can help add that little bit extra on money that might otherwise be collecting dust in a traditional Savings Account. 

Armed Forces Bank Has CD and Money Market Account Options for You 

At Armed Forces Bank, we’re working hard to be your go-to bank for all your financial needs. And we are proud to offer both CDs and Money Market Accounts with competitive interest rates.

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