CD Rates Likely to Hold Steady in April, Experts Say

Savers have a window of opportunity to lock in attractive yields before rates drift lower.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:43pm

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Experts say CD rates are expected to remain stable in April, with the potential for minor fluctuations. While the era of peak yields has likely passed, the current environment remains attractive for savers, allowing them to secure a meaningful real return and lock in predictable growth before rates drift further toward long-term averages.

Why it matters

In times of global uncertainty, CDs offer a safe haven by providing a fixed, predictable return that is unaffected by market volatility. By locking in a rate now, savers are essentially buying insurance against future rate declines, ensuring their money keeps working hard regardless of how the geopolitical or economic landscape shifts.

The details

According to experts, for CD rates to move at all, there would need to be changes with the Federal Reserve, employment, and inflation. The Federal Open Market Committee looks at many economic indicators when making decisions to raise or cut rates, with the unemployment rate and inflation rate being the two most important. If inflation remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve's target, the Fed would likely pause its easing cycle, signaling banks to maintain or even slightly increase deposit rates to stay competitive.

  • The Federal Reserve held the federal funds rate steady on March 18, 2026.
  • The Federal Reserve's dot plot still suggests one more rate cut later in 2026.

The players

Alastair Wood

CEO of savings marketplace Raisin.

Todd Gunderson

President and CEO of Credit Union 1.

Bryan Johnson

CFO of Seattle Bank and CDValet.com.

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What they’re saying

“CD rates are expected to remain stable in the immediate short term, following the Federal Reserve's decision on March 18 to hold the federal funds rate steady.”

— Alastair Wood, CEO of savings marketplace Raisin

“While the era of peak yields has likely passed, this shift is actually a positive development for savers. Even as the Fed moves toward a more neutral policy, today's environment remains highly attractive. You can secure a meaningful real return and lock in predictable growth before rates drift further toward their long-term averages.”

— Alastair Wood, CEO of savings marketplace Raisin

“Short‑term CDs are where the value is at right now. The reason is straightforward: Institutions want deposit inflows, but they don't want to lock in high funding costs for years. So, they're concentrating their most competitive offers in the three- to 12-month range, where they can attract savers without taking on long-term rate risk.”

— Bryan Johnson, CFO of Seattle Bank and CDValet.com

What’s next

Experts say the Treasury yield curve is flattening, which could mean longer-term CD rates will start to win out in the near future. 'We might soon be seeing higher rates for three- to five-year CDs, rather than the one-year CDs,' says Gunderson.

The takeaway

With CD rates expected to remain stable in the short term, savers have a window of opportunity to lock in attractive yields before rates drift lower. By securing a CD now, savers can ensure their money keeps working hard, even as the economic landscape shifts.