CD Rates News: Your Weekly Update with Pennington Capital (September 15-22, 2025)

Welcome to the CD Rates News section of Pennington Capital. This weekly update tracks trends in certificate of deposit (CD) rates, influenced by Federal Reserve decisions, inflation data, and economic indicators. 

For the week ending September 22, 2025, CD rates held steady after the Fed's 25-basis-point cut to 4.00-4.25% on September 17, with top yields reaching 5.50% APY for short terms like 9 months, while longer terms (3-5 years) averaged 4.00%-4.26%.

The national average for 1-year CDs remains at 1.65%, flat from last week, but online banks and credit unions continue to offer competitive rates above 4%, outpacing 2.1% core PCE inflation.

Amid 1.9% GDP growth and tariff concerns adding 0.4pp to inflation, savers are urged to lock in yields before further cuts.

Informed by trusted sources like Bankrate, Investopedia, NerdWallet, and Fortune, this digest highlights top stories, trends, and implications. Whether you're laddering CDs or parking $10,000 for short-term goals, stay informed to maximize your savings.

1. CD Rates Overview: Key Highlights for the Week

CD rates showed minimal movement post-Fed cut, with short-term yields holding strong at 4.45%-5.50% APY, while analysts predict gradual declines as the central bank signals more easing.

• Top Yields: Nuvision Credit Union's 5.50% APY for 9 months (through Sept. 27) leads, followed by Bread Savings' 4.45% for 6 months.

• 3-year CDs top 4.26%, flat from last week.

• National Averages: 1-year CDs at 1.65% (unchanged), 3-year at 1.50%.

• Fed Impact: September 17 cut held rates steady, but experts forecast drops to 3-4% by year-end if inflation eases.

• Market Sentiment: Online banks dominate with 4%+ APYs; savers advised to lock in before October/December cuts.

Pro Tip: Lock short-term CDs at 5.00%+ now (e.g., Varo's 3-month) before rates dip; ladder for ongoing access.

2. Top CD Rate Stories: Highlights and Analysis

This week's news emphasized locking rates amid Fed easing, with online banks offering top yields and warnings of future declines.

• Nuvision's 5.50% Special Ends Soon: On September 19, Investopedia highlighted Nuvision Credit Union's 5.50% APY 9-month CD ($1,000 minimum), valid through September 27, as the highest rate amid post-Fed stability.
  Savers rushed to fund before potential drops.

• Fed Cut Signals Rate Dip: September 19 NerdWallet and September 20 Yahoo Finance reports noted the Fed's cut will likely lower CD rates further, with top yields holding at 4.45%-5.00% but trending down from 5.75% peaks.

• Experts urge locking now.

• Bread Savings' 4.45% 6-Month Lead: Fortune's September 19 update ranked Bread Savings' 4.45% APY 6-month CD as a top pick for short-term savers, with no fees and $1,500 minimum.

• Broader Trends: Bankrate's September 17 analysis showed 3-year CDs at 4.26% max, flat, while Forbes September 15 warned of double-digit drops if Fed cuts twice more.

Key Story: The Fed's September 17 cut stabilized top CD rates at 5.50%, but NerdWallet and Yahoo Finance warn of imminent drops, urging savers to lock in via Nuvision before September 27.

3. CD Rate Trends: Short-Term Yields Hold Strong

Short-term CDs (3-12 months) continue to offer the highest APYs (4.45%-5.50%), while longer terms lag at 4.00%-4.26%, reflecting expectations of further Fed easing.

• Short-Term Dominance: 6-month CDs top 4.45% (Bread Savings), 9-month at 5.50% (Nuvision), driven by savers locking before cuts.

• Longer-Term Stability: 3-year at 4.26% (flat), 5-year at 4.00%, as banks anticipate lower rates.

• Online vs. Traditional: Online banks (Varo 5.00% 3-month) outpace traditional (Chase 0.01%-2.00%).

• Inflation Context: Rates beat 2.1% PCE by 2.35%-3.4pp, but real yields may shrink with cuts.

Key Story: Short-term CDs like Nuvision's 5.50% 9-month remain hot, with Investopedia urging action before September 27 amid Fed cut forecasts.

4. CD Rate Implications: What It Means for Savers

• Lock In Now: With Fed cuts signaling lower yields (3-4% by year-end), prioritize 4.50%+ short-term CDs like Varo's 5.00% 3-month for quick gains.

• Laddering Opportunity: Mix 3-12 month terms to capture high rates while maintaining access; $10,000 laddered earns $450/year.

• Online Banks Lead: Varo and Bread Savings offer 4.45%-5.00% with $0 minimums; avoid traditional banks' 0.01%-2.00%.

• Inflation Hedge: Rates above 2.1% PCE preserve purchasing power, but diversify 50% to stocks for 7% long-term growth.

Pro Tip: Fund Nuvision's 5.50% before September 27; use Bankrate to ladder $10,000 across terms for $450/year.

5. Next Week's CD Rates Watchlist (September 23-29, 2025)

• September 23: Fed minutes; expect rate cut signals impacting yields.

• September 24: ISM Manufacturing PMI; gauge economic health affecting bank rates.

• September 25: Consumer Confidence; sentiment on spending/inflation.

• September 26: Core PCE inflation data; key for Fed path and rate forecasts.

• Ongoing: Monitor Bankrate daily for top APYs; lock specials like Nuvision's by September 27.

Stay Updated: Bookmark this page for next week's update. Follow Bankrate, NerdWallet, and Fortune for real-time rate alerts. Pennington Capital is your partner in savings news—empowering informed decisions.

Disclaimer: This update is for educational purposes only, not financial advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult a qualified financial professional for personalized guidance.