Banking
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How to open a certificate of deposit (CD)
Banking
Everything you need to know about opening an account.
![Woman sitting outside of restaurant looking at cell phone](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/02/15095640/How-to-save-money-from-scratch.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
How to start saving (even if you’re starting from scratch)
Banking
Getting into the habit of paying yourself first is hard. Here are some ideas to help you start.
![Two millenial friends using mobile phone.](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2023/11/20014206/How-to-transfer-money-from-one-bank-to-another.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
How to transfer money from one bank to another: 4 ways
Banking
Keep fees in check when you shift money from one bank account to another.
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Our expert reporters and editors bring the news and analysis you need—backed by data and firsthand experience.
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Chief Financial Analyst
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Principal U.S. Economy Reporter
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Senior Economic Analyst
Banking data studies
![Money next to flashing sirens](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/02/15173759/Banking-Emergency-Savings-Survey.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
If you’re struggling to pay off debt and build savings, you’re not alone.
![Piggy bank with doctors equipment. Cute and comical](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/07/12173049/Banking_FHE_Why_Im_scheduling_a_mid_year_financial_checkup_with_myself_and_how_Im_doing_it.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
I’m a personal finance reporter — here’s how I did a mid-year financial checkup in under an hour
Banking
A mid-year checkup is the most effective way to ensure my finances are on track.
![And elderly couple discussing HYSA options](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/03/13131722/Deposits_March_FSP_High_yield_Savings.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=16:9&width=320)
Two-thirds of American savers say they’re earning rates below 4% APY. Here’s why.
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There are several ways to deposit a check — some are simpler than others.
![A student withdraws cash at an ATM.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/07/14131751/can-you-spend-from-a-savings-account.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
There are ways to access your money and ultimately spend it. Here’s how.
![young woman smiling on city sidewalk](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/06/12135556/Deposits_7-Saving-strategies-for-different-goals.png?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Creating a timeline is a useful way to plan and meet all your financial goals.
![Woman watering plants.](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/03/20194528/Current_CD_rates.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Check out the latest CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of banks and thrifts.
![Whimsical illustration of a hand putting a quarter into a miniature but realistic high end safe. As if it were a piggy bank](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/08/05141131/What-is-the-average-interest-rate-for-savings-accounts_.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Comparing savings rates can ensure you get the best return on your savings.
![Financial manager meeting with couple in bank branch office](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/05/31124754/Deposits-Average-money-market-account-interest-rate.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Get the latest rates on top-yielding money market accounts.
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A financial glow-up is essentially a money makeover. It’s taking a thorough look at your finances and following up with actions to meet your money goals. “Glow-up” may be a trendy term, but taking [...]
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ADHD can affect your ability to manage money — here are tips that work for me.
![A student withdraws cash at an ATM.](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/07/14131751/can-you-spend-from-a-savings-account.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
There are ways to access your money and ultimately spend it. Here’s how.
![young woman smiling on city sidewalk](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/06/12135556/Deposits_7-Saving-strategies-for-different-goals.png?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Creating a timeline is a useful way to plan and meet all your financial goals.
![Whimsical illustration of a hand putting a quarter into a miniature but realistic high end safe. As if it were a piggy bank](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/08/05141131/What-is-the-average-interest-rate-for-savings-accounts_.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Comparing savings rates can ensure you get the best return on your savings.
![Financial manager meeting with couple in bank branch office](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/05/31124754/Deposits-Average-money-market-account-interest-rate.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Get the latest rates on top-yielding money market accounts.
![Someone holding a jar full of coins. The jar says savings on it.](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/08/07154431/Banking_Im-a-personal-finance-writer-with-ADHD.-These-tips-help-me-stay-on-track-and-crush-my-savings-goals.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
ADHD can affect your ability to manage money — here are tips that work for me.
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Here’s how to financially prepare for the possibility of sudden unemployment.
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We list three accounts to park your savings this summer as you wait to buy a house.
![Man calculating finances](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/09/11111429/How-much-is-too-much-to-put-in-a-savings-account.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Here’s how to determine the amount to put in savings — and what to do with the rest.
![Woman watering plants.](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/03/20194528/Current_CD_rates.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Check out the latest CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of banks and thrifts.
![Young couple managing finance and investment online](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/08/09090227/interest-rates-on-top-yielding-cds-are-dropping.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
There’s still time to lock in a high-yielding CD as the Fed suggests cutting rates.
![Man at laptop, deep in thought](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/06/01164558/Investing-The-pros-and-cons-of-CD-investing.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Certificates of deposit offer peace of mind, but they’re not without some drawbacks.
![Woman using laptop](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2023/11/30130553/Deposits-3-ways-to-take-advantage-of-high-CD-rates.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Locking in a high yield now could be beneficial in the event rates begin to drop.
![Man using laptop in kitchen](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2023/10/30123251/Deposits-What-is-a-callable-CD.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Callable CDs can offer a higher yield than traditional CDs, but there’s a catch.
![A woman ponders](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/07/08124330/what-to-do-when-cds-mature.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Find out what happens to CDs that are set to mature.
![A young woman researches on her laptop.](https://www.bankrate.com/2021/01/14115714/with-rates-so-low-are-cds-worth-it-in-2021.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
With a possible recession looming, here’s what savers should know about CDs.
![](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/07/18121054/Banking-Is-there-still-such-a-thing-as-a-6-percent-CD.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
I’ve often referred to 2024 as the year of the certificate of deposit (CD). In tracking CD rates on a daily basis, I’ve seen how yields remain at an overall high, thanks to the Federal Reserve raising [...]
![Man working on laptop and drinking coffee](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/05/01122348/GettyImages-1364881817.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Money market funds are available from several different brokers and fund managers.
![Ally Bank logo](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/04/07120151/Deposits-Ally-money-market-account-rates-3.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Ally’s money market account offers a high APY, no minimum deposit or monthly fee.
![Best compound interest investments](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/04/05140817/GettyImages-665950548.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
The name of the game with compound interest is time — the more of it you have, the bigger the payoff.
![Woman smiling at cash on a cloud](https://live-bankrate-press.pantheonsite.io/app/uploads/2024/02/Investments_What_is_a_money_market_fund.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Lay away cash for an emergency or short-term goals with a money market mutual fund.
![woman at ATM](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/01/03120505/Untitled-15.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Our picks provide customers with almost everything they need to bank in the branch, at home or on the road.
![Savings account and money market rate forecast](https://www.bankrate.com/2024/01/01230300/Central-savings-money-market-account-rate-forecast.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Expect savings and money market account yields to slide lower, but they still should outpace inflation
![couple with bank worker](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/01/27102438/Untitled-14.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Many of these banks offer low-fee accounts and higher yields than some of the biggest banks.
![Woman online banking with a tablet](https://www.bankrate.com/2019/06/13123811/Hoe-regulation-D-limits-your-savings-accounts-withdrawls.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
How Reg. D impacts your savings account and why it pays to check with your bank.
![woman depositing a check on her phone](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/04/18094902/How-to-deposit-a-check.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
There are several ways to deposit a check — some are simpler than others.
![A brick and mortar bank building on a sunny day](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/07/31192320/local-bank.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
There’s more than one way to bank. Here are the reasons to consider banking locally.
![Woman using laptop](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/05/16113945/Deposits-7-banks-that-offer-free-checking-accounts.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
There’s no need to pay for a checking account when many banks offer free checking.
![woman sitting on her couch and looking at her phone and credit card](https://www.bankrate.com/2022/06/09172341/Debit-card-spending-limits-heres-how-to-increase-yours.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Knowing your limit before making a purchase can help you make smarter decisions.
![Woman paying at the gas pump](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2023/10/30121650/Deposits-Places-you-should-avoid-using-your-debit-card.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Debit cards are inherently less secure than credit cards, especially at these spots.
![Women using tablet](https://www.bankrate.com/2020/05/19152145/online-checking.jpeg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Online checking accounts stand out for different features. Here’s our top picks.
![Woman accessing her checking account at home on a laptop](https://www.bankrate.com/2023/12/01174728/Deposits-Best-business-checking-accounts.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
Not paying fees and an easy way to bank should all be priorities. Here are some of our favorites.
![Young Woman Depositing Check With Smartphone](https://www.bankrate.com/brp/2024/07/03162246/How-long-does-it-take-for-a-check-to-clear.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&crop=1:1&width=356)
The amount of time can vary from check to check.