Best 6-Month CD Rates of March 2026
Newtek Bank leads the 6-month CD market at 4.30% APY with a $2,500 minimum — explicitly labeled a limited-time promotional rate. Popular Direct pays 4.10% APY but requires a $10,000 minimum. Marcus by Goldman Sachs at 4.05% APY ($500 minimum) offers the best combination of high rate and low barrier for most savers. All five options are FDIC insured.
Open Account →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | APY | Min Deposit | Monthly Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newtek Bank — 6-Month CD | Best Overall | 4.30% APY for 6 months | — | — | Apply → |
| 2 | Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 6-Month CD | Also Excellent | 4.05% APY for 6 months (verify at marcus.com) | — | — | Apply → |
| 3 | Popular Direct — 6-Month CD | Best Value | 4.10% APY for 6 months | — | — | Apply → |
| 4 | Bread Savings — 6-Month CD | Worth Considering | 4.00% APY for 6 months | — | — | Apply → |
| 5 | LendingClub Bank — 6-Month CD | 3.90% APY for 6 months | — | — | Apply → |
Newtek Bank — 6-Month CD
“The highest 6-month CD rate nationally. Act promptly — the limited-time label means this rate could change. If you have $2,500 ready to lock up for 6 months, this is the top pick today.”
What we like
- 4.30% APY — highest nationally available 6-month CD rate as of March 2026
- $2,500 minimum — accessible for most savers
- $250,000 maximum deposit per account
- FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor
- Online bank with competitive rates across multiple CD terms
Watch out for
- Explicitly labeled a limited-time promotional rate — may be reduced soon
- Early withdrawal penalty up to 180 days of simple interest — higher than some competitors
- Online-only bank — no physical branches
- Less well-known brand than Marcus or Ally
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 6-Month CD
“The best value 6-month CD for most savers: near-top rate, lowest minimum, strongest brand, and the most favorable early withdrawal penalty. The 10-day rate guarantee is a unique bonus.”
What we like
- $500 minimum deposit — the most accessible of the top-rate options
- 10-Day CD Rate Guarantee — automatically receive the highest rate within 10 days of opening
- Goldman Sachs institutional backing — one of the most trusted bank brands
- FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor
- 90-day early withdrawal penalty — lower than Newtek (180 days) and Popular Direct (120 days)
Watch out for
- 4.05% APY is 25 basis points below Newtek (4.30%) and 5 basis points below Popular Direct (4.10%)
- No mobile check deposit for CD funding — must transfer from external account
- Early withdrawal forfeits 90 days of interest on original principal
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Popular Direct — 6-Month CD
“4.10% APY for savers with $10,000+. Only 5 basis points above Marcus but requires 20 times the minimum deposit. Choose Popular Direct if you have the minimum; choose Marcus otherwise.”
What we like
- 4.10% APY — second highest 6-month rate nationally as of March 2026
- Division of Popular Bank — established institution with long history
- FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor
- Consistently in the top 5 for CD rates across multiple term lengths
- 10-day grace period at maturity to change terms or withdraw
Watch out for
- $10,000 minimum deposit — the highest barrier on this list
- 120-day early withdrawal penalty — adds up to $134 on a $10,000 CD at 4.10%
- Online-only — no physical branches
- Must have $10,000 accessible to capture the rate advantage over Marcus
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Bread Savings — 6-Month CD
“Solid 4.00% APY with a reasonable $1,500 minimum and a forgiving early withdrawal penalty. A dependable choice if Newtek and Popular Direct minimums are out of reach.”
What we like
- 4.00% APY — competitive rate confirmed by multiple sources
- $1,500 minimum — between Marcus ($500) and Popular Direct ($10,000)
- 90-day early withdrawal penalty — favorable relative to competitors
- 10-day grace period at maturity to withdraw or change terms
- FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor
Watch out for
- 4.00% APY is 30 basis points below Newtek (4.30%)
- Online-only — no physical branches
- No rate guarantee like Marcus offers
- Bread Savings brand is less well-known than Marcus or Goldman Sachs
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
LendingClub Bank — 6-Month CD
“Lowest rate on this list but uniquely allows monthly interest withdrawals without penalty — ideal for retirees or savers who want CD interest as income rather than compounding.”
What we like
- $500 minimum deposit — tied with Marcus for lowest barrier on this list
- Monthly interest withdrawals permitted without penalty — unique flexibility
- 90-day early withdrawal penalty matches the favorable rate on this list
- Well-known fintech brand with full FDIC insurance
- 10-day grace period at maturity to change or withdraw
Watch out for
- 3.90% APY is 40 basis points below Newtek (4.30%) and 15 basis points below Marcus (4.05%)
- LendingClub also highlights an 8-month CD at 4.10% APY — worth comparing before committing to 6 months
- Online-only — no physical branches
- Lower APY than all four competitors on this list
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
6-Month CD Rates of March Buying Guide
Photo by Matheus Bertelli / PexelsQuick Verdict: Our top pick is the Newtek Bank — 6-Month CD — Highest 6-month CD rate nationally at 4.30% APY (promotional; $2,500 minimum). FDIC insured.
Top Pick: Newtek Bank 6-Month CD
Newtek Bank leads the 6-month CD market at 4.30% APY as of March 2026 — the highest nationally available rate confirmed by major rate aggregators. Important caveat: Newtek labels this a promotional rate, meaning it may be pulled or reduced at any time. The $2,500 minimum is accessible for most savers. For a nearly identical yield without promotional risk, Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers a competitive rate with just a $500 minimum and a 10-day rate guarantee at account opening. All five CDs on this page are FDIC insured to $250,000 per depositor.
How 6-Month CDs Work
A 6-month CD is a time deposit: you lock in a fixed amount at a guaranteed APY for exactly 6 months, then receive your principal plus interest at maturity. Early withdrawal carries a penalty — typically 90–180 days of interest — so only deposit money you can leave untouched for the full term. A 6-month CD makes sense when you have a specific goal about 6 months out (vacation fund, tax payment, emergency reserve top-up), want a guaranteed rate while monitoring long-term rate direction, or are building a CD ladder for staggered liquidity.
Rates and Minimums at a Glance
- Newtek Bank: 4.30% APY (promotional) — $2,500 minimum, 180-day early withdrawal penalty
- Popular Direct: ~4.10% APY — $10,000 minimum, consistent rate track record
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs: ~4.05% APY — $500 minimum, 10-day rate guarantee at opening, 180-day penalty
- Bread Savings: Competitive rate — $1,500 minimum, simple online interface
- LendingClub Bank: Competitive rate — $500 minimum, solid customer service ratings
Rates as of March 2026. Verify current APYs at each bank's website before opening — CD rates change frequently. All accounts FDIC insured to $250,000 per depositor.
Who 6-Month CDs Are Best For
6-month CDs suit savers with a specific short-term goal and the discipline to leave funds untouched. At top rates of 4%+ APY, a $5,000 deposit earns approximately $100 in 6 months — meaningful guaranteed return with zero market risk. Not a good fit for emergency funds (early withdrawal penalty) or money you may need on short notice. For flexibility, a high-yield savings account or no-penalty CD is the better choice.
CD ladder tip: Split savings across a 3-month and 6-month CD. As the 3-month matures and renews, you get liquidity every quarter while keeping a portion invested at above-savings rates throughout.
What to Watch Out For
- Auto-renewal trap. Most CDs auto-renew at maturity at the then-current rate — which may be lower. Set a calendar reminder 2 weeks before maturity to manage options within the grace period (typically 7–10 days).
- Promotional rate risk. Newtek's rate is explicitly promotional — it could drop before renewal. If long-term rate stability matters more than chasing the top rate, choose a non-promotional option like Marcus.
- Minimum deposit gap. Popular Direct requires $10,000 for its higher rate. If you don't have that minimum, Marcus at $500 often delivers better net return at a slightly lower headline rate.
- Early withdrawal cost. A 180-day penalty on a 6-month CD means withdrawing at month 3 forfeits all earned interest. Only lock in money you genuinely won't need before maturity.
How to Apply
All five CDs are available fully online — no branch visit required. The process takes 10–15 minutes: visit the bank's website (linked from each card above), provide your Social Security number, address, and date of birth, then fund via ACH bank transfer. Your CD typically begins earning within 1–3 business days of funding. Set a calendar reminder 14 days before the maturity date so you don't miss your withdrawal or renewal window.
For a longer commitment at a higher rate, our Best 1-Year CD Rates of March 2026 covers the same banks with 12-month terms that typically yield a few basis points more. For a combined view of CDs and savings in one ranking, Best High-Yield CDs and Savings Accounts 2026 covers both products side by side. If you're not sure whether to lock in at all, Best High-Yield Savings Accounts No Minimum Deposit 2026 covers fully liquid alternatives at competitive rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I need my money before the 6 months are up?
Are online bank CDs safe?
What is a CD ladder and should I build one?
Will 6-month CD rates go up or down from here?
Is the interest on a CD taxable?
How We Evaluate Financial Products
We compare financial products based on objective criteria: annual fees, APR ranges, rewards rates, sign-up bonuses, and key perks. We do not factor in issuer relationships or compensation when determining rankings. Products are ranked based on overall value for the target use case described on this page.
Rates and terms change frequently. We update these pages regularly, but always verify current rates directly on the issuer’s website before applying. APR ranges shown reflect the full possible range — your actual rate depends on your creditworthiness.
This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We compare products; we do not advise on which product is right for your personal financial situation. Read our full methodology →