Our Criteria
When examining available jumbo CD rates, Annuity.org’s editorial staff set several criteria that needed to be met for a bank or credit union to be considered. Each choice must:
- Offer jumbo CDs.
- Rank as one of the top 25 banks or top 10 credit unions by assets.
- Be federally insured.
Understanding Our Methodology
Annuity.org employed a strict and research-focused methodology when selecting banks and certificates of deposit for consideration.
The bank or credit union must have ranked in the top 25 or top 10, respectively, by total assets nationally to be considered. The bank also needed to specifically offer jumbo CDs.
CD rates can vary by location, and a Florida zip code was used for any banks that required a location to view rates. Banks or credit unions still needed to offer CDs nationally.
On top of comparing available rates, Annuity.org evaluated numerous other factors as well, including the minimum deposit for a jumbo CD, specialty offerings versus standard offerings, withdrawal penalties and the reputability of each bank or credit union.
Jumbo CDs are a great investment to invest a larger amount with a fixed interest rate. They may make sense to add to a balanced portfolio. Contact a finance professional to see if adding a jumbo CD makes sense for your financial situation.
Timothy Li, MBABusiness Finance ManagerTimothy Li, MBA, has dedicated his career to increasing profitability for his clients, including Fortune 500 companies. Timothy currently serves as a business finance manager where he researches ways to increase profitability within the supply chain, logistics and sales departments.
Our Picks
Credit Union Details
Alliant is the sixth largest credit union in the country by total assets and boasts more than 700,000 members. The credit union offers jumbo CD terms ranging from three months to 60 months.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Attractive rates across the board
- Lower minimum than most jumbo CDs
Cons
- Membership qualifications
Our Take:
Many credit unions offer attractive CD rates and Alliant is no exception. But this credit union stands out in part because it is much easier to become a member than most others and because it offers attractive jumbo CD rates virtually across the board.
Alliant has numerous avenues to becoming a member. Even if you meet none of them, you can still easily sign up and take advantage of its rates if you sign up for Foster Care to Success.
Plus, its rates are some of the best out there. Alliant offers eight different jumbo CD terms stretching from as little as three months with a 4.50% APY to as long as five years with a 4.40% APY.
Both the 12-month and 18-month terms also offer high rates. Alliant has an unusually low minimum for jumbo CDs, requiring an investment of just $75,000. This can make its choices more accessible without limiting the upside for big-time investors.
Best for Short-Term Rates
Bank Details
Chase is the largest bank in the U.S. by consolidated assets and has nearly 4,800 domestic branches. The bank offers jumbo CD terms that stretch from one month to 120 months.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong short-term rates
- Competitive 12-month rates
Cons
- Poor long-term rates
Our Take:
Chase’s CD rates are not amazing across the board. Given the sheer number of terms offered, there are a handful of available rates that are simply infinitesimal.
But the bank does shine in one area where it can often be difficult to secure strong rates: short-term offerings. Chase offers an attractive 4.50% APY on jumbo CDs with a six-month term, also offering a competitive 3% APY on three-month terms.
The bank also has a 12-month term available with a 3.75% APY. Chase requires what is often the industry standard minimum for a jumbo CD of $100,000.
Best for Long-Term Rates
Bank Details
BMO Harris is the 13th largest bank in the U.S. by consolidated assets and has over 1,000 domestic branches. The bank offers jumbo CD terms that range from one month to 60 months.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Many high rates for long-term investments
- Strong diversity of terms offered
Cons
- Poor offerings on short-term jumbo CDs
Our Take:
For those looking for a way to grow their money in a jumbo CD over a long stretch of time, BMO Harris offers several attractive choices. The bank advertises seven different terms of a year or more, with each of them offering a competitive APY.
An 18-month jumbo CD is available with a 4.75% APY, while the longest term of 60 months holds a 4.50% APY.
BMO Harris does fall short on its short-term offerings, with most of its sub-year rates falling well below industry competition.
Best for Those with Military Ties
Credit Union Details
Navy Federal is the largest credit union in the country by total assets and boasts more than 12 million members. The credit union offers jumbo CD terms ranging from three months to 60 months.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Solid rates in several categories
Cons
- Membership limited to those with military ties
Our Take:
A strong option for military families to consider is Navy Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in the country. Navy Federal offers several attractive rates on jumbo CDs, including APYs that exceed 4% on terms ranging from 12 months to 24 months.
It can be a good choice for existing members or those with military ties. The downside is that it is not widely available and has fairly strict membership guidelines, with only those who have direct ties to the military and their families being eligible to include a Navy Federal CD as part of their personal finance plan.
Others We Considered
The following banks met the initial criteria and were also considered but were eliminated due to numerous factors, including uncompetitive rates, competitive rates that were beaten out by a listed bank or lack of diverse jumbo CD offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can vary by the specific investment, but CDs are generally fixed rate.
Jumbo CD rates do vary based on the term length of the CD. Various banks will offer differing rates, but longer terms sometimes offer stronger rates.
There is not necessarily a difference between a jumbo CD from a bank versus one from a credit union, but different institutions will offer different rates and term lengths.
Jumbo CDs from reputable banks and credit unions are federally insured.
Banks and credit unions typically offer a set of rates, with the ability for you to choose the offer that makes the most sense for you.
