Investing in CD (certificate of deposit), and how does it work?

Like savings accounts, CDs are considered low-risk because they are insured by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) for up to $250,000. However, CDs generally allow your savings to grow faster than they would in a savings account.

Instead of depositing your money in a bank for a fixed period (usually called a term or duration), the bank pays a fixed interest rate that is typically higher than the rates offered by savings accounts. When the deadline is met (or when the CD expires), they return the money you deposited (the capital) plus any interest you have accumulated.

If you need access to the funds before the CD’s term ends, you will be subject to a penalty for early withdrawal, which can significantly reduce the interest you earned with the CD.

Tip: Before opening a CD, ensure you have an emergency fund that is a comfortable amount of savings in an easily accessible account, such as a savings account. Investing in CD (certificate of deposit), and how does it work?

CDs come in various terms and may require different amounts of minimum balance. The rate you earn typically varies depending on the term and the amount of money in the account. Generally, the longer the term and the more money you deposit, the higher the rate they offer you. A longer term does not necessarily require a longer minimum.

Like savings accounts, CDs earn compound interest, which means that the interest you earn is periodically added to the capital. Then, that new total amount gains its own interest, and so on.

Due to compound interest, it is important to understand the difference between the interest rate and the percentage of annual return (APY). The interest rate represents the fixed interest rate you receive, while the APY percentage refers to the amount you earn in a year, considering compound interest.

There are different factors to take into account when choosing a CD. First, when do you need the money? If you need it soon, consider a CD with a shorter term. But if you are saving for something in five years, a CD with a longer term and a higher rate could benefit you more.

In addition, take into account the economic field. If interest rates seem to be increasing or you want to open several CDs, staggered CDs could be a good option.

Interest rates, in general, could change during the term of your CDs. If the rates increase, the opportunity to earn those higher rates will be lost since your money will be committed for the term of the CDs. However, if the rates decrease, the benefit is for you since you will continue earning the highest rate offered when opening the CD. The staggering number of

It can also allow you to take advantage of longer terms (and, therefore, higher interest rates) while still accessing some of your money annually.

With a staggered CD, you divide your initial investment into equal parts and invest each portion in a CD that expires each year. For example, let’s say that Leo has $10,000. To build a staggered CD, invest $2,000 each year in a CD for 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, and 5 years. When each CD expires, reinvest your money at current interest rates or use the money for another purpose. If Leo reinvests his money, he could choose a new 5-year CD, which would ensure that he has one that expires every year as long as he continues to do the ladder.

Be sure to consider other savings or investment options for your funds. The different accounts offer different levels of risk and profit. (Read more about how to compare CDs with other low-risk savings accounts.) Always choose the accounts that best fit your financial goals and deadlines. Investing in CD (certificate of deposit), and how does it work?