Business certificates of deposit (CDs) offer business owners a unique opportunity to maximize their savings through high-yield interest. Business CDs work the same as personal CDs—you earn fixed interest on your balance for a predetermined period, called a CD term, and you agree to leave funds untouched in the account until this period ends.
The best business CD rates generally offer higher APYs than other business deposit accounts and, in many cases, numerous term options to meet a wide range of business needs.
Best Business CD Rates of 2025
Summary: Best Business CD Rates of 2025
Methodology
To create this list, Forbes Advisor analyzed 46 CD and share certificate accounts across a mix of traditional brick-and-mortar banks, online banks and credit unions. For the star rating, we ranked each account on 11 data points within the categories of APY, minimums, compound interest schedule, customer experience, digital experience, available terms and overall availability. We also analyzed and ranked each account by individual term.
The following is the weighting assigned to each category:
- APY: 50%
- Minimum deposit requirement: 12.5%
- Customer experience: 10%
- Digital experience: 10%
- Compound interest schedule: 7.5%
- Availability: 5%
- Available terms: 5%
CD accounts with higher APYs rose to the top of the list. Minimum deposit requirements of $10,000 or higher affected scores negatively. Accounts with daily compounding interest schedules were scored higher than those with monthly or quarterly schedules. To appear on this list, the account must be nationally available.
To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on How Forbes Advisor Reviews Banks.
Business CD Rates
Business CDs can earn a higher rate than business savings and other deposit accounts, with the best business CD rates surpassing 5.00% APY. Banks and credit unions provide higher rates because CD funds are usually inaccessible without incurring a penalty for withdrawing funds before the CD reaches maturity.
Businesses often keep surplus funds in a savings account, but business CDs offer a high-yield alternative that may produce a better return if you don’t need to access your excess funds for a while.
How To Find the Highest Business CD Rates
Because CDs generally come with fixed interest rates, the higher the rate, the more you’ll earn on your balance for a particular period. Not all banks offer business CDs, so the first step is finding banks that do.
Online banks and credit unions generally offer the best rates on personal and business deposit accounts, including business CDs. Compare the rates and terms on CDs from our list above to other banks and credit unions to find the best rates.
Earning the highest rate is ideal, but it’s not the only feature to pay attention to. Other factors to consider when choosing a business CD include term options, deposit requirements, compounding schedule and fees. The best business CDs meet your specific needs while charging minimal fees and earning high-yield interest rates.
Find The Best CD Rates Of 2025
What Is a Business CD?
A business CD is a low-risk, timed deposit account that helps you grow your business savings at a guaranteed rate. Similar to personal CDs, business CDs are available through banks and credit unions and earn a fixed interest rate in exchange for leaving funds untouched in the account for a predetermined period. Business CD terms vary depending on the financial institution, ranging anywhere from one month to five years or longer.
Like other personal and business bank accounts, Business CDs held at a bank are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor. Credit union business CDs are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) for up to $250,000 per share owner.
How Does a Business CD Work?
A business CD works much like a personal CD. It’s a timed deposit account that generally earns a fixed interest rate over a predetermined term and charges a penalty for withdrawing funds before that term ends. Terms can range from one month to five years or more.
Because of this commitment, banks typically offer higher interest rates than what you’d get with a regular business savings account—plus interest is fixed for the duration of the CD term, giving you a predictable return on your investment. Interest may compound daily, monthly or at another interval, which can affect the total interest earned over the CD term.
The fee financial institutions charge for withdrawing funds before the CD matures is known as an early withdrawal penalty. This fee is usually equal to a portion of the interest earned on the account and can vary based on term length.
Once a business CD reaches maturity, banks usually provide a small window of time, called a grace period, during which CD owners can make changes to their account without penalty, including adding or withdrawing funds, opening a new CD with a different term or closing the account completely.
Can a Business Open a CD?
CDs aren’t just for individuals. Many banks and credit unions offer business CDs as well. The documentation required to open a business CD account often depends on the type of business but may include:
- A government-issued photo ID
- Social Security number
- Employer Identification Number (if applicable)
- Business name
- Physical address
- Articles of incorporation or other business formation documents
- Business resolution
- Business license
- Financial statements
- Organizational chart
- Certificate of Good Standing
You can often open a business CD online, but some banks may require you to meet or speak with a bank representative first.