3-Year CDs

Best 3-Year CD Rates

A 3-year CD is a longer-term commitment that can secure today’s yields well into the future. It works best for money you’re certain you won’t need for three years. The top widely available listing in our table pays 5.00% APY, compared with a national average of 1.75%.

Display date Oct 29, 2026 · By the CompareCDRate editorial team · About our dates · How we verify rates

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6 CD listings shown.

CD listings with APY, term, minimum deposit, early withdrawal terms and source date
Listing	APY	Term	Min. deposit	Early withdrawal	Display date ?	Actions
Credit unionListing #4R44M · details on inquiryCredit union · NCUA	5.00%	3 years	$100	Confirm with institution	Oct 29, 2026 National rate survey	Inquire about this CD for listing 4R44M, 5.00% 3 yearsCompare listing 4R44M
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Membership required Insurance Federally insured by the NCUA (credit union share insurance) Rate source National rate survey Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)
Online bankListing #X4P29 · details on inquiryBank · FDIC	4.85%	3 years	$500	Confirm with institution	Oct 29, 2026 National rate survey	Inquire about this CD for listing X4P29, 4.85% 3 yearsCompare listing X4P29
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Nationwide (online) Insurance Issued by an FDIC-insured bank Rate source National rate survey Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)
Online bankListing #TYYEW · details on inquiryBank · FDIC	4.85%	3 years	$10,000	Confirm with institution	Oct 29, 2026 Rate comparison publisher	Inquire about this CD for listing TYYEW, 4.85% 3 yearsCompare listing TYYEW
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Nationwide (online) Insurance Issued by an FDIC-insured bank Rate source Rate comparison publisher Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)
Online bankListing #7HC83 · details on inquiryBank · FDIC	4.80%	3 years	No minimum	270 days of interest (as reported for the 3-year term)	Oct 29, 2026 National rate survey	Inquire about this CD for listing 7HC83, 4.80% 3 yearsCompare listing 7HC83
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Nationwide (online) Insurance Issued by an FDIC-insured bank Rate source National rate survey Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)
Online bankListing #KNXAS · details on inquiryBank · FDIC	4.65%	3 years	No minimum	Confirm with institution	Oct 29, 2026 National rate survey	Inquire about this CD for listing KNXAS, 4.65% 3 yearsCompare listing KNXAS
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Nationwide (online) Insurance Issued by an FDIC-insured bank Rate source National rate survey Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)
Online bankListing #LCLMJ · details on inquiryBank · FDIC	4.60%	3 years	$2,500	Confirm with institution	Oct 29, 2026 National rate survey	Inquire about this CD for listing LCLMJ, 4.60% 3 yearsCompare listing LCLMJ
Institution Shared with you directly after you inquire Availability Nationwide (online) Insurance Issued by an FDIC-insured bank Rate source National rate survey Display date Oct 29, 2026 (today, U.S. Eastern Time — not a verification date)

APY = annual percentage yield. Institution names are not published on this site; after you inquire, we share the details with you directly. The display date is today’s date in U.S. Eastern Time; it is not the date a rate was verified. We review listings regularly (last review: Oct 29, 2026) and keep a dated source record for every listing. Rates change often and may differ by region or deposit amount; confirm the current APY, minimum and early withdrawal terms with the institution before opening an account. "Up to" means the highest yield a brokerage displayed for that term. Rate methodology · How we make money · Important disclosures

Is a 3-year CD right for you?

Good fit if…

You have savings set aside for a goal three or more years away
You want predictable income or growth regardless of where rates go
You’re building the middle rungs of a ladder

Watch out for…

Penalties are typically larger — some banks charge 9 to 12 months of interest or more
Inflation can outpace a fixed rate over several years
You give up flexibility if better opportunities appear

What $10,000 could earn

Put $10,000 in the top widely available listing at 5.00% APY for 3 years and you’d earn about $1,576.25. At the 1.75% national average, the same deposit would earn about $534.24 — a difference of $1,042.01. These estimates assume the APY applies for the full term and interest stays in the CD. Try your own numbers in the CD calculator.

How to choose a 3-year CD

Confirm the maturity date lines up with when you’ll need the money.
Check the minimum deposit and any membership requirement.
Read the early withdrawal penalty so you know the cost if plans change.
Keep within insurance limits — $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category.
Verify the live rate on the institution’s site before you apply.

3-Year CD FAQs

What’s the penalty for cashing out a 3-year CD early?

It varies by institution. As one example, a national online bank in our table reportedly charges 270 days of interest on its 3-year term. Always check the specific disclosure.

How much does a 3-year CD earn?

At 4.85% APY, $10,000 grows by about $1,527 over three years when interest compounds in the CD.

Should I choose a 3-year CD or a ladder?

If you want some money back each year, a ladder of 1-, 2- and 3-year CDs gives you regular access while keeping part of your savings at longer-term rates. Try our ladder builder.

Want help choosing a 3-year CD?

Tell us your term, deposit and timing. We’ll point you to CD options that fit, at no cost.

Compare CD options Free to use. Availability and eligibility vary by institution.