Barclays Certificate of Deposit
Savers wanting a no-minimum, fee-free CD locked in at 3.50% for 6 or 9 months.
Anyone seeking competitive long-term rates — the 5-year APY of 2.00% significantly trails the market.
Barclays' best CD pitch is entirely front-end loaded. The 3.50% APY on 6- and 9-month terms sits meaningfully above the national average for those durations and comes with genuinely consumer-friendly terms: no minimum deposit, no monthly fees, daily compounding, and a clean online experience. At the current Fed Funds Rate of 3.63%, a 3.50% return on a short-term CD still represents real, near-market-rate yield with zero rate risk — a solid short-duration play for cash you won't need for six to nine months. The story deteriorates fast beyond one year. The 24-month rate dropped to 2.50% — well below both the category average for 2-year CDs and the Fed Funds Rate, meaning you'd be locking in a negative real-yield position relative to the benchmark. The 5-year at 2.00% is among the weakest in its tier. Barclays appears to be pricing intentionally to attract short-term deposits, not long-term money. Bottom line: use Barclays for the 6- or 9-month term if you want simplicity and a competitive short rate. For terms of 18 months or longer, shop elsewhere — you can do materially better without sacrificing FDIC protection or convenience.
Confirm the rate and term are still available. Review the early-withdrawal penalty in the fee schedule — it can erase months of interest.
Jun 19, 2026
SwitchWize Research Desk · methodology
- No monthly maintenance fee
- No minimum opening deposit
- FDIC insured up to $250,000
| Term | APY |
|---|---|
| 6 months | 3.50% |
| 1 year | 3.25% |
| 1.5 years | 3.00% |
| 2 years | 3.00% |
| 3 years | 2.50% |
| 5 years | 2.00% |
Visit BarclaysUS.com, select your preferred CD term, and complete the online application. No minimum deposit is required. You must fund the account within 14 days of opening to keep it active.
Barclays' best CD pitch is entirely front-end loaded. The 3.50% APY on 6- and 9-month terms sits meaningfully above the national average for those durations and comes with genuinely consumer-friendly terms: no minimum deposit, no monthly fees, daily compounding, and a clean online experience. At the current Fed Funds Rate of 3.63%, a 3.50% return on a short-term CD still represents real, near-market-rate yield with zero rate risk — a solid short-duration play for cash you won't need for six to nine months. The story deteriorates fast beyond one year. The 24-month rate dropped to 2.50% — well below both the category average for 2-year CDs and the Fed Funds Rate, meaning you'd be locking in a negative real-yield position relative to the benchmark. The 5-year at 2.00% is among the weakest in its tier. Barclays appears to be pricing intentionally to attract short-term deposits, not long-term money. Bottom line: use Barclays for the 6- or 9-month term if you want simplicity and a competitive short rate. For terms of 18 months or longer, shop elsewhere — you can do materially better without sacrificing FDIC protection or convenience.
What happens if I withdraw from a CD early?
Most CDs charge an early-withdrawal penalty — typically 60 to 150 days of interest depending on the term. Breaking a 12-month CD at month 3 with a 90-day penalty can reduce your effective yield to near zero. Always read the fee schedule before opening.
Is a CD FDIC insured?
Yes. Certificates of deposit at FDIC-member banks are insured up to $250,000 per depositor. The fixed rate and FDIC coverage make CDs one of the safest places to hold cash you can afford to leave untouched for the full term.
What is a CD ladder?
A CD ladder splits your savings across multiple CDs with staggered maturities — for example, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month terms. As each CD matures, you reinvest at the current rate, giving you the higher rates of longer terms and regular access to a portion of your cash.
Can the CD rate change after I open it?
No. The APY on a standard CD is locked at the opening rate for the full term. This is the main advantage over a high-yield savings account: you know exactly what you will earn, regardless of future Fed rate cuts.
Rates are collected from official provider pages where available and cross-checked against trusted third-party sources. Always verify final terms with the provider. SwitchWize may earn a referral fee when you click through to a partner. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.