CD Rates Continue to Move Higher in September

Keeping with the uptrend in 2017, CD rates continue to move higher in September. In August, the top 1 year CD rate was at 1.55 percent, this month the top 1 year CD rate is at 1.60 percent. Popular Direct, EverBank, and Pacific National Bank are all offering 1 year CD rates at 1.59 percent with a yield of 1.60 percent.

At the beginning of the year, the top 1 year rate was only at 1.35 percent, 25 basis points lower than the current rate. Shorter term CD rates moved higher this year because the Federal Reserve has been increasing the fed funds rate, the rate banks use to lend each other money overnight. These rate increases have put upward pressure on short term interest rates and bond yields.

CD rates with terms shorter than 1 year are also moving higher. The top 3 month CD rate is week is from Luana Savings Bank at 1.05 percent. Last month, the top 3 month CD rate was at 1.00 percent. The top 6 month CD rate this month is at 1.26% from M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB. In August, the top 6 month rate was at 1.21 percent.

CD Yield Curve Flattening

As short term CD rates move higher, longer term rates have been stagnant, increasing a lot less than short term rates, which is flattening the yield curve. The top 2 year CD rate is at 1.71 percent, only 11 basis points higher than the top 1 year rate.

Looking at longer term certificates of deposit, rates are only marginally higher. The top 3 year rate is at 2.00 percent, the top 4 year rate is at 2.16 percent, and the top 5 year rate is at 2.40 percent. The CD yield curve will continue to be flat in the coming years, even if short term rates are pushed higher.