CD Ladder Strategy: Best CDs for a Ladder in 2026
The Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 12-Month CD is our top pick for CD Ladder Strategy: Best CDs for a Ladder in. $500 minimum deposit — the lowest of any top-rate 1-year CD on this list. For budget shoppers, the Axos Bank High Yield Savings — 4.21% APY offers solid value at a lower price.
Apply Now →At a Glance
| # | Card / Product | Award | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | APR Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 12-Month CD | Best 12-Month CD | $500 minimum deposit | 10-Day CD Rate Guarantee included | 4.00%–4.20% APY for 12 months (verify at marcus.com) | Apply → |
| 2 | Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 6-Month CD | Best 6-Month CD | $500 minimum deposit | 10-Day CD Rate Guarantee included | 4.05% APY for 6 months (verify at marcus.com) | Apply → |
| 3 | Axos Bank High Yield Savings — 4.21% APY | Best HYSA Pairing | N/A | — | — | Apply → |
CD Ladder Strategy Buying Guide
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A CD ladder is a savings strategy where you split a lump sum across multiple CDs with staggered maturity dates — typically 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months. As each CD matures, you either spend the money or roll it into a new longer-term CD. The result: you always have money maturing soon (liquidity), while the rest earns the higher rates that longer terms command. Rates as of April 2026.
How We Evaluated CD Options
Criteria: current APY (rates change monthly — verify before opening), minimum deposit requirements, early withdrawal penalty severity, FDIC insurance status, and digital account management quality. We focused on online banks that consistently offer above-average rates. All institutions listed are FDIC insured up to $250,000.
Why a CD Ladder Beats a Single CD
Locking all your savings into one 2-year CD sounds appealing when rates are high, but creates two risks: if you need the money early, penalties can eat months of interest; if rates rise after you lock in, you miss the benefit. A ladder splits both risks. With four CDs at 6/12/18/24 months, something matures every 6 months. At maturity, you decide: roll into a new 24-month CD if rates are still good, or withdraw if your needs changed. You always maintain access without paying penalties.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs: The Recommended Ladder Option
Marcus 6-Month CD (4.05% APY, $500 minimum, 90-day penalty for early withdrawal) and Marcus 12-Month CD (4.00%-4.20% APY, $500 minimum, 270-day penalty) are the workhorses of this strategy. Both include a 10-Day CD Rate Guarantee — if Marcus raises the rate within 10 days of your opening, you automatically get the higher rate. FDIC insured up to $250,000. Terms apply; verify current rates at marcus.com before opening.
Pairing with a High-Yield Savings Account
Axos Bank High Yield Savings (4.21% APY as of March 2026, no minimum balance, FDIC insured) works as the liquid component of a CD ladder — keep your emergency fund and near-term spending here while the CDs earn locked-in rates. This avoids the early withdrawal penalty trap: if you need cash before a CD matures, you pull from savings rather than breaking the CD. FDIC insured up to $250,000.
Common CD Ladder Mistakes
Opening CDs with penalties that exceed the rate benefit: a 270-day penalty on a 4% CD means breaking it in month 6 costs you money — understand the penalty math before locking in. Laddering without a liquid emergency fund: always keep 3-6 months of expenses in savings before putting money into CDs. Ignoring rate changes at rollover: just because Marcus had the best rate when you opened does not mean they do at rollover — compare rates before auto-renewing. APR ranges quoted above are as of April 2026; verify all rates directly with the institution before opening.
Is a CD Ladder Right for You
Best for: money you will not need for 6-24 months (emergency fund top-up, car down payment savings, vacation fund). Not suited for: your primary emergency fund (needs to be immediately accessible), money you will need in under 3 months, or funds with unpredictable timing requirements.
Watch Before You Buy
Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 12-Month CD
“Marcus by Goldman Sachs' 12-Month CD requires just $500 to open — the lowest minimum of any top-rate 1-year CD — and backs that accessibility with a 10-Day CD Rate Guarantee that bumps you to the high”
What we like
- $500 minimum deposit — the lowest of any top-rate 1-year CD on this list
- 10-Day CD Rate Guarantee — if Marcus raises rates within 10 days of opening, you get the higher rate
- Goldman Sachs institutional backing — deepest brand trust in consumer banking
- Maturity instructions settable up to 12 months in advance online
- FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor
Watch out for
- APY range reported as 4.00%–4.20% depending on source and date — verify current rate at marcus.com before opening
- 270-day early withdrawal penalty for 12-month term — the steepest penalty on this list
- Online-only — no physical branches
- No monthly interest withdrawal option
Rates as of April 16, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs — 6-Month CD
“Marcus by Goldman Sachs' 6-Month CD pairs a $500 minimum deposit with a 10-Day Rate Guarantee that automatically adjusts your rate upward if Marcus raises it within 10 days of opening. The 90-day earl”
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 16, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Axos Bank High Yield Savings — 4.21% APY
“Axos Bank's High Yield Savings offers up to 4.21% APY with no monthly fees, no minimum balance, and 24/7 live customer support — a rare combination among online-only banks. The account is FDIC insured”
What we like
- Up to 4.21% APY with no conditions
- No monthly service fees
- No minimum opening deposit
- 24/7 live customer service (rare for online banks)
- FDIC insured up to $250,000
- Strong mobile app with Zelle support
Watch out for
- APY may tier down on larger balances — verify current terms
- No physical branches
- Higher rates at some competitors for conditional accounts
Rates as of April 16, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CD ladder and how does it work?
What is the best CD ladder term structure for 2026?
Is a CD ladder better than a high-yield savings account?
What early withdrawal penalties should I expect from CDs?
Should I build a CD ladder at a bank or a credit union?
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 →