Best 6-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 6-month CD rates currently available include Sunlight Federal Credit UnionSunlight Federal Credit Union1702 17th St, Cody, WY 82414A5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 11.98%Real return: +14.43%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering 6 Month Youth Certificate at 17.23% APY, and Northwoods Community Credit UnionNorthwoods Community Credit Union1224 4th Ave S, Park Falls, WI 54552 1923A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 3.38%Real return: +2.26%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering Youth share certificate - 6 Month at 5.06% APY, and United Financial Credit UnionUnited Financial Credit Union6310 Dixie Hwy, Bridgeport, MI 48722A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 2.20%Real return: +2.25%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering 6 month - 4H or FFA CD at 5.05% APY, and Central Vermont Medical Centerinc CUCentral Vermont Medical Centerinc CU130 Fisher Rd, Berlin, VT 05602A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 5.85%Real return: +2.20%APY minus CPI (February 2026) offering New 6 month CD Special at 5.00% APY. CD rates as of September 11, 2026 according to verified data from MonitorBankRates.
A 6-month CD is one of the most popular short-term options for savers. It offers a higher yield than a standard savings account while keeping your money committed for just one year — ideal for building a CD ladder or parking funds you won’t need in the near term. 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. 6-Month CD Rates Last Updated and Verified: September 11, 2026
Compare the Best 6-Month CD Rates Nationwide
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Maximum $5,000.00 (Aggregate)
Amount of 4H or FFA - Youth Fair Participation Check Max $5,000
Must be funded by new money not currently on deposit
Limited time offer. Converts to a standard 6 Month CD at renewal.
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Introductory rate
$1,000 - $49,999
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Bonus Rate: 5.00%; Early Withdrawal Penalty: 90 Days Interest
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Promo Certificate; New Deposits are defined as funds not currently on deposit with Chartway Credit Union.; Minimum $500 balance ($100 if under 18 years old) to open.; Will renew at the current 6-month certificate rate.
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Summer CD Specials
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Beacon's promotional certificate rate is only valid on new money only. For 6 months promotional share certificates, the early withdrawal penalty is 90 days of dividend whether earned or not.
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Limited Time Special
6-Month CD Special will auto-renew into a 6-month certificate at the current rate at that time when it matures.
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A penalty will or may be imposed for early withdrawal
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
3Guaranteed rate for the duration of the CD term. Rates may change prior to account opening. Maximum opening deposit amount of $500,000.00. Fees could reduce earnings on account. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. At the end of the initial term, CDs will automatically review at the then-offered rate.
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The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 08/13/2026. 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.
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EARLY WITHDRAWAL PENALTIES (Minimum $25): 181 Days Interest
Branch Rate
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Promotional APY is accurate as of July 1, 2026, and is available for a limited time. Offer may be modified or discontinued without notice. Dividends are compounded and credited quarterly. Early withdrawal penalties may reduce earnings. Membership eligibility required. To open a Certificate, please visit a branch location near you!
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"New Money" is defined as funds not currently on deposit. Early withdrawal penalties may apply.
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New money is funds that are not currently held by Capital Credit Union in any share or deposit account. APY accurate as of Aug. 1, 2026, and subject to change. Fees may reduce earnings. Penalties apply for early withdrawal of CDs. Penalties can reduce principal. Other restrictions may apply. CD will mature 6 months after the date it is opened. After 6 months, CD balance will automatically roll into a regular 6-Month CD at the advertised rate on the date of rollover. Offer expires when limit is reached. Offer may end at any time and without notice.
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Term: 6 Months to 11 Months; a penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal
Certificates $500 to $20,000
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$10,000 New Money
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APY as high as
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APY is accurate as of 6/30/2026. CD is automatically renewed for the same term. You will have ten (10) calendar days after the maturity date to withdraw funds without being charged a penalty. The CD will be renewed at the rate in effect at Meade County Bank on the maturity date. Offer is subject to change at any time. Fees could reduce earnings. Visit your local branch to open an account today.
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Compound Period: Daily
To receive promotional rate, opening deposit cannot originate from pre-existing Freedom Bank account funds. Rate applicable to a maximum of $250,000.00 FDIC coverage per customer relationship. Rates may change after account opening. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Fees may reduce earnings on the account. Other terms and conditions may apply.
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A 90-day dividend penalty will be imposed for early withdrawal on Share Certificates. The penalty is calculated as a forfeiture of part of the dividends that have been earned on the account. If the account has not yet earned enough dividends, the penalty will be deducted from the principal. Fees may reduce earnings.
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Dividends paid monthly.
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No additional deposits allowed. No penalty for early withdrawals. The account matures in 6 months and will automatically renew for the same term unless funds are withdrawn within 10 days after maturity, during which withdrawals may be made without penalty. Withdrawals will reduce earnings.
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$100,000
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(purchased through Raymond James brokerage account)
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Member Loyalty APY: 4.20%
Compounded: ; Credited: At Maturity
Dividend rates and Annual Percentage Yields (APY) are accurate as of September 1, 2026 and are subject to change at any time without notice unless otherwise stated. Please call the office at (716) 833-9670 for current rates. APY means Annual Percentage Yield. Certificate of Deposit (CD) accounts have a minimum opening deposit of $1,000. Certificate rates are fixed for the term. There is no minimum balance required to earn the stated APY on Certificates, and the APY is paid on the entire balance. Dividends on Certificates are paid at maturity, and the APY assumes dividends remain on deposit until maturity. Certificate accounts must be closed to access funds prior to maturity; partial withdrawals are not permitted. An early withdrawal penalty will be imposed for early closure and may reduce earnings. The penalty is equal to one-half of the interest that would have been earned through maturity on the respective term.
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APYs are current as of 9/9/2025. Rates are subject to change. A penalty may be assessed for early withdrawal.
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APY* Assumes no compounding, interest paid annually or at maturity.
Effective 7/01/26
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Interest is compounded daily and there is a penalty for early withdrawal. Fees can reduce the earnings on any of the above accounts.
All rates are subject to change without prior notice. These rates replace previously dated rates. These rates are for Circle Federal Credit Union members only. Membership required. Must qualify for Membership. Federally Insured by the NCUA up to $250,000. Equal Opportunity Lender.
Penalty: 3 month
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Certificates of Deposit (CDs) - Share, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and Educ IRA
Rates effective as of 3/02/2026. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Offers may be for limited time only. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. Penalty may apply for early withdrawals from Certificates.
dividends compounded monthly. Early withdrawal penalty = 90 days dividend.
Monthly dividends Rollover at maturity
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Minimum $500.00
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Rates effective as of 08/17/2026. Expires on or before 09/20/2026.
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New money only, not funds currently on deposit with Commonwealth Credit Union
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Term: 6 months up to 1 year; Apply Online
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Limited Time Offer
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new money only
Rates are subject to change at any time; Traditional Certificates & IRAs
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New Branch Promo
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Minimum balance required to earn dividend
Rates shown are Annual Percentage Yields (APY), accurate as of 08/01/2026, and subject to change without notice as determined by the Board of Directors. Minimum deposit of $500 is required, except for our 6-month term which requires a $250 minimum. Penalty for early withdrawal. The APY is based on the assumption that dividends will remain on deposit until maturity. Withdrawal or fee will reduce earnings. Certificates are fixed-rate accounts and will remain in effect until maturity.
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Non-Rewards+ Loyalty Program Dividend Rate: 2.81%, Non-Rewards+ Loyalty Program APY: 2.85%
Basic*: 2.90% APY; Better**: 3.40% APY; Best***: 4.00% APY; 6 Months****
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Early Withdrawal Penalty: 3 Months Dividend
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$500+
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Limited time special! Rates effective as of August 1, 2026.
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Great for mid-term goals. Secure growth with minimal commitment.
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 6-Month CD Rate Database
MonitorBankRates tracks 5,061 6-month CD rates from 3,016 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: Sunlight Federal Credit Union offers a 6-month CD at 17.23% APY with a minimum deposit of $100. Use the rate table above to compare all current offers.
6-Month CD Rate Trend
Daily national average APY for 6-month CDs
Daily averages compiled from 5,061 verified CD rate quotes — updated daily.
National 6-month CD rates rose 0.024 points over the past 7 days to 2.702% APY, up from 2.678% 7 days ago. Rates are currently in line with the 90-day average of 2.684%.
Rates are well above the 2010-2019 decade average of 0.30%, though below the 2023 cycle peak of 5.50%.
6-Month CD Rate Forecast — Next 12 Months
Where are 6-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 6-month term at today’s top APY.
CD Ladder with 6 months RungModel a CD ladder that includes a 6-month CD. See how staggering maturities keeps cash accessible while locking in higher yields on longer terms.
Early Withdrawal Penalty6-month CDs typically carry a 90–180 days interest penalty for early access. Calculate your actual net return if you need funds before maturity.
6-month CD vs. High-Yield Savings6-month CD rates are close to top savings APYs right now. Compare both side-by-side to find which earns more for your deposit amount and timeline.
What Does a 6-Month CD Actually Earn After Inflation?
The APY on your CD tells you the nominal return — what you earn before accounting for inflation. The real return is what matters for purchasing power: your CD rate minus the current inflation rate. A CD yielding 4.85% when inflation runs at 2.8% gives you a real return of roughly 2.0%. When inflation runs at 5%, that same CD is losing ground.
What This Means for 6-Month CD Savers
At the current national average of 2.702% and headline inflation running at 2.8% (BLS CPI-U, February 2026), a $10,000 6-month CD earns roughly $67.56 in interest over 3 months. After adjusting for the annualized inflation rate, the real purchasing-power gain is approximately -0.10% on an annualized basis.
With inflation still running above the current CD average, short-term CD holders are losing ground in real terms — though far less than during the 2020–2021 period when rates were near zero and inflation was accelerating.
The top-yielding 6-month CDs in our database, however, typically run 0.50%–1.50% above the national average. Savers who shop across our full list rather than accepting their current bank's rate meaningfully improve their real return.
Real Return in Context
| Period | Avg 3-Mo CD APY | Avg CPI | Approx. Real Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–2019 (pre-pandemic) | ~1.0%–2.4% | ~2.3% | ~-1.3% to +0.1% |
| 2020–2021 (pandemic lows) | ~0.05%–0.10% | ~1.2%–4.7% | ~-4.6% to -1.1% |
| 2022–2023 (rate hike cycle) | ~0.5%–5.5% | ~4.0%–9.1% | ~-8.6% to +1.5% |
| 2023 Peak | ~5.50% avg | ~3.2%–4.1% | ~+1.0% to +2.0% |
| Today (Sep 2026) | 2.702% avg | 2.8% | -0.10% |
Data sources: MonitorBankRates.com 6-month CD rate averages; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), All Items, 12-month percent change. CPI reading: February 2026. Real return is an approximation; precise calculation is ((1+nominal)/(1+inflation))-1. Not financial advice.
How to Find the Best 6-Month CD Rates
What to compare when shopping for a 6-month CD
To find the best APYs on a 6-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 6-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 a 6-Month CD Makes Sense
- You have a planned purchase or expense in ~6 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’re building the shortest rung of a CD ladder
- 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
6-Month CD vs. Other Short-Term Savings Options
| Feature | 6-Month CD | High-Yield Savings | Money Market | 6-Month CD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Type | Fixed APY | Variable APY | Variable APY | Fixed APY |
| Liquidity | Locked 3 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 |
6-Month CD FAQs
What is a 6-Month Certificate of Deposit (CD)?
Are 6-month CD rates higher than regular savings accounts?
Is my money safe in a 6-month CD?
What happens if I withdraw money from a 6-month CD early?
What is APY and how does it differ from the interest rate?
Can I add money to a 6-month CD after opening it?
How can I use a 6-month CD in a CD ladder?
Is a 6-month CD better than a high-yield savings account right now?
What is the real return on a 6-month CD?
Does inflation affect CD rates?
Methodology & Data Sources
Direct-Sourced & Verified CD Rate Data: We aggregate 6-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-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.
