Best 18-Month CD Rates - September 2026
Brian McKay
Brian McKay
Founder & Data Architect- Automated Online Rate Data Aggregation
- Location-Based Rate Tables
- Bank & Credit Union Health Safety Ratings
- Finance Calculators
Top 18-month CD rates currently available include Middlesex Federal SavingsMiddlesex Federal Savings1 College Ave, Somerville, MA 02144A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 0.41%Real return: +2.41%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering IRA 18 Month Variable Rate Certificate at 5.21% APY, and Horizon Credit UnionHorizon Credit Union201 N Mullan Rd, Spokane Valley, WA 99206 3790A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 0.84%Real return: +2.20%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering 18-Month Certificate at 5.00% APY, and The District Federal Credit UnionThe District Federal Credit Union751 Chambers Rd, Aurora, CO 80011 7151A5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 7.87%Real return: +2.20%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering 18 Month Term Certificate at 5.00% APY, and Birmingham City Credit UnionBirmingham City Credit Union2725 35th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35207 2839A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 0.84%Real return: +2.20%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering 18 Month Share Certificates at 5.00% APY. CD rates as of September 21, 2026 according to verified data from MonitorBankRates.
An 18-month CD bridges the gap between short-term flexibility and longer-term yields. It locks in a competitive rate for a year and a half — ideal for savers who want more than a 12-month commitment without tying up funds for two or more years. We display Safety Grades, Star Ratings, and Texas Ratios so you can choose institutions with confidence.
The APYs displayed reflect actual verified offers. Rates are subject to change at the institution’s discretion without notice. A substantial penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. 18-Month CD Rates Last Updated and Verified: September 21, 2026
Compare the Best 18-Month CD Rates Nationwide
No additional details available.
Maximum deposit of $1M per individual.
Penalty for early withdrawal: 180 days dividends
No additional details available.
See Fair Special options; Preferred Rate with any checking account; 5.00%
Interest Will Be Credited: Quarterly; Fixed Rate or Variable Rate***: Variable
No additional details available.
Minimum balance $100,000
Purchased through Raymond James brokerage account: $2,000; Not purchased through Raymond James brokerage account: $1,000
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Checking Relationship APY
Must be under 18 to open. 18M allows add-ons & withdrawals (Min +/- $100 ) & a 1-time rate bump (must provide report card). MAXIMUM DEPOSIT OF $10,000.00, LIMIT ONE PER MEMBER
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Our High Yield Jumbo CDs offer among the most competitive rates, plus more. 10-Day Rate Guarantee Earn Loyalty Rates when you renew your CD
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Special
No additional details available.
10-Day CD Rate Guarantee
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 09/10/2026. APY assumes interest remains on deposit until maturity date. Penalty for early withdrawal may reduce earnings. Fees may reduce earnings. Rates are subject to change at any time and are not guaranteed until the account is opened.
No additional details available.
Term: 18 Month Variable Rate IRA; Compounded: Daily
No additional details available.
CD and IRA rates effective 01/25/2024. Interest is compounded daily and there is a penalty for early withdrawal. Fees can reduce the earnings on any of the above accounts.
Compounding: Quarterly. Availability: Open Online
Maximum deposit amount is $500,000 for Special CDs.
Term: 18 months (Limited Time Special); Penalty for Early Withdrawal
Fixed APY | No minimum balance
No additional deposits after initial deposit.
Maximum deposit amount is $500,000. Fees may reduce earnings. Personal accounts only. One account per customer.
Interest paid quarterly via ACH to any account designated by the customer institution; Withdrawal before maturity is not permitted; BBW can arrange for the safekeeping of the instrument upon request
Balance: $2,500
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Balance: $200,000+
No additional details available.
Bump-Up CD; Available for a limited time only; Allows you to increase your rate once during the term of your CD if Capra's rates increase; Valid for new customers to Capra Bank; Must have or open an active Elevate or Summit checking account to obtain CD Special Offer; Available in Dubuque, Lubbock, Albuquerque, and Boise.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Term: 18 Month New Money Certificate; Balance: $100,000+
No additional details available.
On the above accounts, dividends are compounded and credited quarterly. Dividends are computed based on average daily balance. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Service charges may reduce earnings.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Balance: $100,000 and above
No additional details available.
Balance: $100,000.00 and over
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Annual Percentage Yields (APY) are accurate as of September 10, 2026 and are subject to change. Early withdrawals will have a substantial penalty imposed. Fees may reduce earnings.
For all certificates unless otherwise noted: penalty for early withdrawal. Minimum deposit of $500 required to open certificate & earn dividends. Rate is accurate as today's dividend declaration. Fees may reduce earnings on the account. Rate = dividend rate.
No additional details available.
*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. No institutional deposits. Compounding and crediting - Terms less than 12 months: Interest will be compounded and credited to the certificate account at maturity, becoming part of the principal balance. Terms 12 months or greater: Interest will be compounded and credited to the certificate account quarterly, becoming part of the principal balance. Fees may reduce earnings. The interest rate and APY - Annual Percentage Yield may change at any time. Federally insured by the NCUA.
No additional details available.
Qualifications Required: active consumer checking account and active debit card, with a minimum of one debit card transaction in the current month; The Loyalty Pays Premium Certificate Rate is a special rate premium determined monthly when an eligible product meets the qualifications. The membership of the eligible certificate must have an active consumer checking account and active debit card, with a minimum of one debit card transaction in the current month to qualify for the special rate premium that month. Qualification is determined monthly, prior to the calculation and payment of periodic dividends. Any month during which the eligible certificate does not meet the qualifications, the certificate dividend calculation and posted dividend at the end of the month will not include this special rate premium and will revert to the standard dividend rate. The Loyalty Pays Premium Certificate Rate program and special premium rates can be changed at any time. Dividends are compounded and paid monthly. Early withdrawal will result in a loss of earnings penalty.
VIP Yield
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
GBC 50th Anniversary Special!
No additional details available.
Compounded: Quarterly; Credited: Quarterly
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Balance: $100,000 and over
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Annual Percentage Yield accurate as of 9/8/2026. Terms and conditions apply. See above rate-term links for details.
Interest Frequency: Monthly
No additional details available.
Interest paid quarterly
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Method of Compounding: Daily
No additional details available.
Term: 18 Months Special Certificate; Minimum balance of $1000.00 (excluding Youth Accounts) No additional deposits allowed during the term of the Certificate. Early Withdrawal Penalties (a penalty may be imposed for withdrawals before maturity). If your account has an original maturity date of one (1) year or less: The penalty we may impose will equal three (3) months dividends on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty. If your account has an original maturity of more than one (1) year: The penalty we may impose will equal six (6) months dividends on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty. In certain circumstances such as death or incompetence of an owner of this account, the law permits, or in some cases requires, the waiver of the early withdrawal penalty. Other exceptions may also apply, for example, if this is part of an IRA or other tax-deferred savings plan. You will have a grace period of ten (10) calendar days after maturity to withdraw the funds without being charg
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Balance: $500-$49,999; This is a variable rate certificate. The rate is adjusted on the first of each month and is calculated by using the 24-month Treasury Bill rate in effect on the 10th day of the previous month plus 0.25% (25 basis points). At maturity, the certificate automatically renews.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Term: 18 Month Variable IRA
Dividends Compound & Paid: Daily
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
$2,500 minimum AND Checking Account Relation
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
The promotional 18-month Certificate offers a dividend rate of 4.025%, with an Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of 4.100%. Dividends are credited as stated in the terms of the Truth-in-Savings Disclosure Account Agreement. Upon maturity, the Certificate will automatically renew into a standard, non-promotional 24-month Certificate at the dividend rate in effect at the time of renewal. Early withdrawal penalties may apply. Membership eligibility and other terms and conditions apply. Rates, conditions, and terms are subject to change without notice. These promotions are a limited time offer. Please contact Eagle Community Credit Union for the most current information.
No additional details available.
Substantial penalty for early withdrawals.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Rates effective as of 08/17/2026. Expires on or before 10/18/2026.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Early Withdrawal Penalty: 3 month interest
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Variable Rate; Minimum Balance
Dividends Compounded: Monthly; Dividends Credited: Monthly; Renewal: Automatic with 10-day grace period
4.07% A.P.Y.*
No additional details available.
Balance: $100,000 or more
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
$50,000+
No additional details available.
We do not open CDs for other financial institutions or for deposit brokers.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Balance: $500 - $499.99
Dividends paid at end of each Month; Withdrawal penalty on amount See Below*
Balance: $200,000.00 +
No additional details available.
Interest Paid: Quarterly
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Published APY range: 4.05-4.25%.
Semi-Annually
Jumbo
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Legacy Club
$100,000 and Above
No additional details available.
New Money is defined as funds not currently on deposit. Early withdrawal penalties may apply.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
A penalty may be imposed for withdrawals made before maturity. Fees could reduce earnings
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Displayed rates are accurate as of September 1, 2026. Early Withdrawal Penalty applies. Fees may reduce earnings. APY is Annual Percentage Yield.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Balances greater than $9,999.99
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) current as of 18th September 2026 and are subject to change without notice. Withdrawals of principal are subject to early withdrawal penalties. The Dividend Rate and Annual Percentage Yield are fixed and will be in effect for the initial term of the account. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Membership eligibility is required. Insured by NCUA. At the end of term this will auto-renew to a 12-month share certificate at the prevailing rate.
CD SPECIAL
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
CD Rate Special!
No additional details available.
Competitive Rate
No additional details available.
AS HIGH AS 4.00% APY*
Offered Rates and Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) are subject to change without notice and may not be available past the effective date of 8/20/2026. Upon opening, the rate and APY are fixed for the term outlined and subject to change upon renewal. Penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Monthly Paid
3 | New Deposits Only
No additional details available.
Balance: $100,000 +
No additional details available.
Balance Requirement: $75,000+
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
No additional details available.
Banks and Credit Unions: If you identify an incorrect rate or wish to request removal from MonitorBankRates.com, please contact us here.
Tracked Nationwide
About Our 18-Month CD Rate Database
MonitorBankRates tracks 3,926 18-month CD rates from 2,068 institutions across the United States. Our proprietary aggregation system pulls verified rate data directly from each institution’s official website — no estimates, no national averages passed off as real offers.
Every rate listed includes the institution’s Safety Grade (A+ to F), Star Rating (1–5), and Texas Ratio — objective financial health metrics calculated from FDIC and NCUA regulatory data — so you can compare yield and institutional safety in one place.
Current top rate: Middlesex Federal Savings offers an 18-month CD at 5.21% APY with a minimum deposit of $100. Use the rate table above to compare all current offers.
18-Month CD Rate Trend
Daily national average APY for 18-month CDs
Daily averages compiled from our database of 8,500+ banks and credit unions — updated daily.
National 18-month CD rates fell 0.006 points over the past 7 days to 2.818% APY, down from 2.824% 7 days ago.
18-Month CD Rate Forecast — Next 12 Months
Where are 18-month CD rates headed through September 2027?
Projections based on Fed funds rate futures and historical CD-to-fed-funds spread model. Not financial advice.
CD Calculators
Enter any deposit amount to see exactly how much interest you earn at the end of your 18-month term at today’s top APY.
CD Ladder with 18 Months RungAdd an 18-month rung between your 12 and 24-month CDs. See how this mid-range term fills gaps in your ladder to keep funds maturing every 6 months.
Early Withdrawal Penalty18-month CDs typically carry a 150–270 day interest penalty for early access. Calculate your actual net return if you need funds before maturity.
18-Month CD vs. High-Yield Savings18-month CD rates typically sit above savings APYs. Compare both to determine if locking in for a year and a half is worth the yield difference.
How to Find the Best 18-Month CD Rates
What to compare when shopping for an 18-month CD
To find the best APYs on an 18-month CD, start with credit unions and online-only banks — they consistently offer the highest yields because they have lower overhead than traditional brick-and-mortar banks and compete aggressively for deposits.
Always compare the APY (Annual Percentage Yield), not just the interest rate. The APY reflects compounding and is the true measure of what you’ll earn. A CD advertised at 4.75% interest compounding monthly is worth more than one at 4.80% compounding annually.
Also compare the early withdrawal penalty. On a 18-month CD, common penalties range from 30 to 90 days of interest. If you’re unsure whether you’ll need the funds early, a penalty-free no-penalty CD or a high-yield savings account may be a better fit.
When an 18-Month CD Makes Sense
- You have a planned purchase or expense in ~18 months and want to earn while you wait
- You expect interest rates to fall and want to lock in today’s rate short-term
- You want a mid-range commitment — the 18-month term earns more than a 1-year CD while maturing before a 2-year term
- You want FDIC/NCUA protection with a guaranteed fixed return
Consider an Alternative If…
- You may need funds before 3 months → High-yield savings
- Rates are rising and you want to benefit → Variable-rate savings or MMA
- You want check-writing or debit access → Money market account
18-Month CD vs. Other Savings Options
| Feature | 18-Month CD | High-Yield Savings | Money Market | 6-Month CD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Type | Fixed APY | Variable APY | Variable APY | Fixed APY |
| Liquidity | Locked 18 months | Anytime | Anytime | Locked 6 months |
| Early Withdrawal | Penalty (30–90 days interest) | None | None | Penalty (90–180 days interest) |
| FDIC / NCUA Insured | Yes (up to $250K) | Yes (up to $250K) | Yes (up to $250K) | Yes (up to $250K) |
| Check / Debit Access | No | Usually no | Often yes | No |
| Best For | Known near-term goal, CD ladder start | Emergency fund, flexible savings | Liquid savings with check-writing | Slightly higher yield, less urgency |
18-Month CD FAQs
What is an 18-Month Certificate of Deposit (CD)?
How do 18-month CD rates compare to 12-month CDs?
Is my money safe in an 18-month CD?
What happens if I withdraw money from an 18-month CD early?
What is APY and how does it differ from the interest rate?
Can I add money to an 18-month CD after opening it?
How can I use an 18-month CD in a CD ladder?
Is an 18-month CD better than a 12-month CD?
Methodology & Data Sources
Direct-Sourced & Verified CD Rate Data: We aggregate 18-month CD rates nationwide directly from the official websites of banks and credit unions using our proprietary rate aggregation technology. By pulling data straight from the institutions’ own digital properties and manually verifying yields daily, every rate on MonitorBankRates.com is highly accurate and trustworthy.
Local, Regional, and National Coverage: Our systems constantly monitor the market to provide a complete picture of available 1.5-year CD yields across the country. We feature a comprehensive mix of financial institutions — from neighborhood credit unions and competitive regional banks to high-yield CDs from large national institutions.
Daily Updates & Time-Stamped Accuracy: Our rate updaters verify and update CD rates daily. Because yields can fluctuate rapidly based on Federal Reserve policy and market conditions, every CD product listed features its own specific “last updated” date for full transparency.
Proprietary Institution Health & Safety Grades: Beyond tracking rates, MonitorBankRates evaluates the financial stability of every listed institution. Our Health Grades (A+ to F) and Star Ratings are composite metrics calculated using objective regulatory data — including the Texas Ratio — ensuring you deposit with secure, reliable institutions.
