Articles Index

CD Interest Rate Scorecard
The CD Interest Rate Scorecard highlights some of the leading CD interest rates. It is most useful for a quick answer on where to stash your cash. If you really want the best rates, you can start here and continue on for even better deals.

CD Account Basics
CD accounts allow you to grow your money safely. Learn how they work and what strategies to use for the best returns. By understanding the basics of CD accounts and common pitfalls, you can avoid costly mistakes.

Why Use CD Ladders?
People use CD ladders for flexibility and simplicity. They make CD investing easy, and they reduce the likelihood that you’ll make a bad decision. Let’s review why CD laddering is popular.

CD Ladder Basics
A CD ladder is an investment strategy where you buy several CDs that mature over several years. By using a CD ladder, you make sure that money is available periodically, and you reduce the chances of buying a CD when rates are at their worst. Learn how to use CD ladders and simplify your finances.

CD Strategy
Are you just buying CDs and hoping for the best? How can you maximize your returns? By using a CD strategy, you can make informed decisions about which CDs to buy and how to arrange your holdings. Use a different CD strategy for different goals, and you’ll make the most of your money.

CD Investment Basics
CD investments allow you to grow your money safely. Learn how they work and what strategies to use for the best returns. By understanding the basics of CD investments and common pitfalls, you can avoid costly mistakes.

Bullets - CD Strategy Using Bullets
A bullet strategy involves setting your investments up to mature around the same time. You might buy CDs over time, but the goal is to have them mature all at once.

Barbells - CD Strategy Using Barbells
A barbell strategy involves using short-term and long-term investments. However, you use very few (or none at all) medium term investments. As a CD strategy, you might buy three month CDs and three-year CDs only.

CD Basics - How CDs Work
Certificates of Deposit (CD’s) are one of the safest investment vehicles out there. Learn how they work, how to get the best CD rates, and what pitfalls to watch out for.

How to Get the Best CD Rates
Certificates of Deposit (CD’s) are among the safest investment vehicles out there. To get the best CD rates, you have to know where to look and what to do. This page helps you find the best CD rates available.

CDARS - Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service
CDARS stands for Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service. CDARS is a program that allows you to spread your money among various banks, usually to stay below FDIC insurance limits at any given bank. CDARS is a way to have somebody else manage the risk of bank failures for you.

Bank CD Basics - Using Bank CDs and Finding Top Rates
Bank CDs are among the safest investments available. To get the most from your bank CD investing, you should know how CDs work, where to find them, and what to watch out for. Our bank CD resource page guides you through the process.

How CDs Work
If you’re just getting started with bank CDs, you should learn the basics. You’ll need to know some basic terms and concepts to take advantage of CDs. Once you know the rules of the road you can get started

CD Basics - Investor Pitfalls
Bank CDs are among the safest investments available. To get the most from your CDs, you should know how they work. Like all things in life, CDs have disadvantages. Learn what to watch out for and you'll probably never have a problem.

Surprising CD Rates
Why would short term CD rates be the same as (or better than) longer term CD rates? You might expect that longer term CDs should pay a better APY than shorter term ones. Sometimes that’s not the case. When this happens, the banks are telling you something.

Bank CD Rates
Make sure that you fully understand how bank CD rates work. This resource informs you about how bank cd rates are determined. You'll know what to look for, and we'll direct you towards the best bank cd rates.

Brokered CDs
Brokered CDs are simply CDs offered by a financial intermediary. It’s important that you understand how to buy brokered CDs, how you’re paying for them, and what to watch out for. Let’s cover some fast facts about brokered CDs.

How CD Maturities Work
Maturity is the date when your CD term ends. At that time, your agreement with the bank comes to an end: the bank can stop paying you the interest they promised, and you can take your cash and walk with it. Find out the details of CD Maturities and why maturity dates are important.

CD Penalties - Basics, Tips, and What to Expect
CD's are great savings vehicles for some. However, the most commonly overlooked drawback to CD's is the early withdrawal penalty. Read all about CD penalties, how they work, and how you might be able to avoid paying a penalty.