Best 13-Month CD Rates for December 2024

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Plan ahead and grow your savings with a 13-month CD. Discover top 13-month CD rates available today.

Top 13-month CD Rates:

Got some cash that you won't need for the next year+? Why not put it to work?

A 13-month CD lets you secure a competitive interest rate for just over a year.

However, not a lot of banks offer 13-month CDs, so options are limited. Check out who pays the highest rates, and potentially better alternatives to consider.

How much do you want to deposit in a CD?

What is a 13-Month CD?

A 13-month CD is a savings account where you deposit a fixed amount of money for a fixed term of 13 months. In exchange for the commitment, banks and credit unions usually offer a higher APY compared to a regular savings account.

You typically can't access your money until the end of the 13-month term. If you withdraw early, you'll incur penalties that can go up to a few months' worth of interest.

PRO TIP: Currently, one of the highest rates on a 13-month CD is with CIT Bank: 13 Month CD - 3.50% APY.

Can I withdraw money from my 13-month CD?
Like most CDs, you cannot withdraw from your 13-month CD without paying penalties. But if you'll need to withdraw early, consider no-penalty CDs to avoid early withdrawal fees.

How much interest does a 13-month CD earn?

If you have $25,000 in a 13-month CD with a 5% APY, you'd earn $1,357 at the end of the term. To earn the most interest, you want to get a CD with the highest APY available,

Here's a table to illustrate how much you can earn on a 13-month CD with different APY and deposit amounts.

$10,000$25,000$50,000
0.00%$10,000$25,000$50,000
0.50%$10,054$25,135$50,271
1.00%$10,108$25,271$50,542
1.50%$10,163$25,407$50,813
2.00%$10,217$25,542$51,084
2.50%$10,271$25,678$51,356
3.00%$10,325$25,814$51,627
3.50%$10,380$25,949$51,899
4.00%$10,434$26,085$52,170
4.50%$10,488$26,221$52,442
5.00%$10,543$26,357$52,714
5.50%$10,597$26,493$52,986

If you want to see how much your money can grow with other deposit amounts, you can use this simple CD calculator.

CD Calculator

Is a 13-Month CD Worth It?

This depends on your financial goals. If you won't need the money for at least a year, a 13-month CD provides a secure place to park your funds and earn some steady passive income.

Before locking in your money, consider the current rate environment. If 13-month CD rates are significantly higher than regular savings accounts or other short-term options, it could be a good way to earn more interest.

Plus, if you worry about interest rates changing, a CD can give you peace of mind since your rate is fixed.

However, if you need easy access to your money, consider other options like a high-yield savings account instead.

And as mentioned, you have limited choices for 13-month CDs. If you're ok with other terms, you'll have a lot more options and maybe even better rates.

What is the highest paying CD rate right now?
Here are some of the top CD rates by term:
TermBank and Yield Rate
3 MonthPonce Bank: 3-Month High-Yield CD - 4.52% APY
6 MonthWestern Alliance Bank: 6-Month High-Yield CD - 4.40% APY
1 YearSkyOne Federal Credit Union: 12-Month Callable CD - 4.40% APY
18 MonthSkyOne Federal Credit Union: 18-Month High-Yield CD - 3.85% APY
2 YearAlways.bank: 24-Month Callable CD - 4.45% APY
3 Yearmph.bank: 36-Month Callable CD - 4.38% APY
4 YearSkyOne Federal Credit Union: 48-Month Callable CD - 4.25% APY
5 Yearmph.bank: 60-Month Callable CD - 4.42% APY

Are CDs safe?
Yes. Because your deposits in CDs are federally insured, they are one of the safest investments available.

Can I Lose Money on a 13-Month CD?

In most cases, you won't lose money on a 13-month CD. Your deposits in CDs are federally insured for up to $250,000 for banks or credit unions that are FDIC or NCUA members.

However, you may lose money on a CD from early withdrawal penalties if you withdraw before maturity.

Pros and Cons of a 13-Month CD

Pros

  • Lock in high interest rates
    You get a fixed interest rate during the entire term. So you get consistent growth for 13 months without being affected by market fluctuations during the term.

  • Low-risk
    A 13-month CD is a safe, low-risk investment. Funds deposited in your CD are federally insured and returns are guaranteed.

Cons

  • Early withdrawal penalties
    Remember with CDs, your money is tied up the term. You usually can't move your funds without paying early withdrawal penalties.

  • Miss out on better rates
    Interest rates can go up during the term. If you're locked in a 13-month CD with a lower APY, you can miss out on higher earnings.

  • Limited flexibility
    Unlike other investments, you can't add more money to a CD. Nor can you pull out your money early without paying penalties. If you need flexibility, you might want to consider a regular high-yield savings account.

How to Choose the Best 13-Month CD

If you're on the hunt for a 13-month CD, here are three questions to filter your choices:

What is the APY?
You'd want the highest APY to maximize your earnings on a CD. Search for the best options available to you before you commit.

How much is the early withdrawal penalty?
Penalties for 13-month CDs can be a few months' worth of interest. If you might need to close your CD early, look for CDs with lower penalties. Better yet, find no-penalty CDs to avoid paying any fees.

What is the minimum deposit required?
Some CDs may have minimum opening requirements ranging from as low as $1 to over $100,000 (for Jumbo CDs). So make sure to choose a CD that fits your budget.

APYMinimum Deposit
CIT Bank: 13 Month CD3.50%$1,000Learn More
The State Exchange Bank: 13-Month High-Yield CD3.25%$1Learn More
Ponce Bank: 13-Month High-Yield CD1.31%$1Learn More
Continental Bank: 13-Month High-Yield CD0.90%$1Learn More

TIP: If stability is your goal, a Gold IRA could be your answer. Learn how adding gold to your portfolio can offer peace of mind.

What is the main factor you consider when choosing a 13-month CD?

Alternatives to 13-month CDs

If a 13-month CD is not the best option for you, here are alternatives you can consider:

High-Yield Savings Account
Try getting a high-yield savings account if access to your funds is important. You get the flexibility to add and withdraw funds at any time. These are good for short-term goals, emergencies, or simply savings. But rates may change over time, unlike CDs.

Compare Savings Account Offers

Longer-term CDs
If you can go beyond 13 months, some longer-term CDs offer competitive rates. And you'll have a lot more choices to choose from.

Long-Term CD Rates:

Shorter-term CDs
On the flip side, you can go for slightly shorter CDs (and some might even have higher rates). These are great to use in a CD ladder strategy.

Short-Term CD Rates:

No-Penalty CDs
If you're not sure about tying up your money, no-penalty CDs let you withdraw before the term ends with no early withdrawal fees. Think of it like a savings account with locked-in returns.

Top No-Penalty CD Rates:

Treasury Securities
To lock in rates for a year, check out Treasury bills, notes, and bonds. These are backed in full faith by the government. These make them a safe and reliable investment.

When is the best time to get a 13-month CD?
The rule of thumb is to get a CD when interest rates are at their highest. CD rates typically move with the Fed Funds rate. Thus, following their trend can help you decide when to get a 13-month CD.

13-month CD FAQs

What happens at the end of a 13-month CD?
Your bank or credit union usually will notify you if your CD is about to mature. Before it does, decide if you want to:

  • Automatically renew the CD
  • Renew the CD with a different amount, term, or both
  • Withdraw all your funds and close the CD

Make sure to inform your bank before or during the grace period after your CD matures. Otherwise, the CD might renew automatically and early withdrawal penalties will already apply.

Where to find the best 13-month CD rates?
High 13-month CD rates are usually offered by online banks and credit unions. Online banks can give great rates because of their lower overhead costs. Credit unions can offer the same as they are not-for-profit institutions.

Is a 13-month CD better than a savings account?
If you need easy access to your money, choose a savings account. If not, consider a 13-month CD to lock in potentially higher rates. Both are FDIC-insured, as long as your bank or credit union is an FDIC or NCUA member.

How do I use a 13-month CD in a CD ladder?
CD laddering is a strategy where you break up your money into multiple CDs. This way you have CDs mature at different intervals and get the flexibility to withdraw or reinvest your money.

To visualize how a 13-month CD can be used in this strategy, here's a CD ladder calculator.

Bottom Line

A 13-month CD could be a good choice if you have the money you want to put aside and the current rate is high enough for you. Check out CIT Bank: 13 Month CD - 3.50% APY for one of the top rates. You can enjoy peace of mind with your funds in a secure place, earning a fixed return.

However, think about your financial goals and situation first before locking into any investment. Ultimately, you must choose an investment that best suits your plans.

Write to Rue Atanacio at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.


Best CD Rates

March 27, 2017 - Reviews for Bank Reviews & Deals
Unearth the highest CD rates and maximize your savings. This list showcases the banks with the most lucrative rates.
How much do you want to deposit in a CD?
9% Under $5,000
9% $5,000 to $9,999
17% $10,000 to $24,999
13% $25,000 to $49,999
52% $50,000 or more
Source: CreditDonkey
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