Synchrony Certificate of Deposit
Savers who want a set-and-forget rate lock with no minimum deposit barrier.
Anyone who may need to access principal before maturity — penalties are steep on longer terms.
Synchrony's 9-month CD at 4.00% APY sits meaningfully above the Fed Funds Rate of 3.63%, delivering a positive real yield spread of 0.37 percentage points — a solid position for a sub-12-month term. That rate also clears the national average CD rate of 1.74% (per Curinos data cited on-page) by more than double, which tells you how far the big brick-and-mortar banks continue to lag online-only issuers like Synchrony. The no-minimum-deposit policy removes the usual entry barrier that knocks many savers out of top-tier CD rates at competing institutions. The 13-month at 3.80% is worth a close look for anyone building a ladder — it extends duration without a significant rate concession. The bump-up CD at 2.80% is the weakest rate on the shelf, and with the Fed in a rate-cutting cycle, the odds of needing that one-time bump are lower than they were 18 months ago; most savers would do better locking a standard term. Early withdrawal penalties are industry-standard and not punishing at the short end (90 days of interest on terms ≤12 months), but the 365-day penalty on 48-month-plus terms warrants caution. Overall, Synchrony's CD lineup is one of the cleaner online-bank offerings available today — transparent, barrier-free, and competitively priced at the short end of the curve.
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
- FDIC insured up to $250,000
- Monthly fee: Not mentioned
| Term | APY |
|---|---|
| 3 months | 0.25% |
| 6 months | 3.50% |
| 1 year | 3.70% |
| 1.5 years | 3.70% |
| 2 years | 3.50% |
| 3 years | 3.60% |
| 5 years | 3.75% |
Apply online at synchronybank.com or via the Synchrony Bank mobile app. No minimum deposit is required. You'll fund the CD at opening; additional deposits are not accepted once the term begins.
Synchrony's 9-month CD at 4.00% APY sits meaningfully above the Fed Funds Rate of 3.63%, delivering a positive real yield spread of 0.37 percentage points — a solid position for a sub-12-month term. That rate also clears the national average CD rate of 1.74% (per Curinos data cited on-page) by more than double, which tells you how far the big brick-and-mortar banks continue to lag online-only issuers like Synchrony. The no-minimum-deposit policy removes the usual entry barrier that knocks many savers out of top-tier CD rates at competing institutions. The 13-month at 3.80% is worth a close look for anyone building a ladder — it extends duration without a significant rate concession. The bump-up CD at 2.80% is the weakest rate on the shelf, and with the Fed in a rate-cutting cycle, the odds of needing that one-time bump are lower than they were 18 months ago; most savers would do better locking a standard term. Early withdrawal penalties are industry-standard and not punishing at the short end (90 days of interest on terms ≤12 months), but the 365-day penalty on 48-month-plus terms warrants caution. Overall, Synchrony's CD lineup is one of the cleaner online-bank offerings available today — transparent, barrier-free, and competitively priced at the short end of the curve.
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.