How much does a $5,000 CD make in 6 months? (2024)

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How much does a $5,000 CD make in 6 months? (2)

While today's inflationary environment has hurt the wallets of millions of Americans, the news hasn't been all bad. Unemployment stayed steady last month, according to a Friday report, with the economy adding 336,000 jobs in the past month, far beyond expert predictions. And, higher interest rates have meant significantly greater returns for savers, too.

While interest rates on regular savings accounts are just 0.45% currently, rates on high-yield savings and certificates of deposit (CD) accounts are many times that amount. In fact, by simply shopping around for a lender online now, you should easily be able to find an account with a rate 12 times the national average.

Before getting started, however, savers should crunch the numbers so they know exactly how much they can expect to earn on their deposit. This is particularly important for those who are planning on opening a CD, as the rate you open it with will be locked for the full CD term.

Start by exploring your CD account options here to see how much interest you could be earning.

How much does a $5,000 CD make in 6 months?

Each bank and lender is different, as are the interest rates they will offer on a CD. Typically, online banks offer the highest CD rates available, although it's possible to get a competitive rate with your local branch. That said, rates on CDs right now are currently close to 6%, with the possibility of surpassing that rate if and when the Federal Reserve moves rates upward again.

For reference, here's how much savers can currently expect to make with a $5,000 CD in six months, with three different interest rates:

  • At 5.50%: $135.66 (for a total of $5,135.66 after six months)
  • At 5.25%: $129.57 (for a total of $5,129.57 after six months)
  • At 5.00%: $123.48 (for a total of $5,123.48 after six months)

Get started with a top interest-earning CD here!

Other considerations

While the interest rates on CDs are often the top consideration when looking for an account, they should not be the only ones. Remember, just like most other savings accounts, interest on CDs will compound over time. This will accumulate either daily or at the conclusion of your CD term, so be sure to understand which it is when speaking to the lender you want to use.

But don't just look at rates and compound interest. Be sure to also investigate any penalties or maintenance fees that could potentially eat into your bottom line. A high interest rate and compound interest are great, but excessive fees and penalties could easily reduce the efficacy of both.

As such, it pays to shop around to find a CD account with a competitive rate and little or no fees. You may even be able to secure an account that won't penalize you for withdrawing your funds early, although those tend to have lower interest rates than their traditional counterparts.

But whatever you do, do your research first. It'll help ensure that the CD you ultimately chose was the best for you and your goals. Start shopping for a top CD here today.

The bottom line

While the overall economy may still be battling inflation, savers can make the best of today's high rates by opening a CD now. With a $5,000 deposit into a six-month CD now, you could make more than $100. And that doesn't include any compound interest you could tack on!

But be sure to shop around for the best accounts and terms, ideally looking for an account online with high rates and minimal or no fees. By opening an account with these features, you'll be best positioned to protect and grow your savings — despite any broader negative economic activity.

Matt Richardson

Matt Richardson is the managing editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com. He writes and edits content about personal finance ranging from savings to investing to insurance.

How much does a $5,000 CD make in 6 months? (2024)

FAQs

How much does a $5,000 CD make in 6 months? ›

$5,000 at 4.40%: If you open a 3-year CD at 4.40% with a $5,000 deposit, you can expect to earn $689.47 in interest. That would bring your total account balance to $5,689.47 upon maturity. $5,000 at 4.60%: If you open a 3-year CD at 4.60% with a $5,000 deposit, you can expect to earn $722.23 in interest.

How much can you make by depositing $5000 into a CD? ›

$5,000 at 4.40%: If you open a 3-year CD at 4.40% with a $5,000 deposit, you can expect to earn $689.47 in interest. That would bring your total account balance to $5,689.47 upon maturity. $5,000 at 4.60%: If you open a 3-year CD at 4.60% with a $5,000 deposit, you can expect to earn $722.23 in interest.

How much does a 6 month CD pay? ›

Compare the best 6-month CDs
INSTITUTIONSTAR RATINGAPY ON 6-MONTH CDs
Popular Direct certificates of deposit4.815.35%
Marcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield certificates of deposit4.805.10%
Bask Bank Certificates of Deposit4.765.35%
Synchrony Bank certificates of deposit4.754.80%
7 more rows

Is it worth it to put 5000 in a CD? ›

The bottom line. Putting $5,000 in a 1-year CD today can be a prudent financial move, especially when interest rates are as high as they currently are. The combination of competitive returns, safety and predictability makes it an attractive option for individuals looking to grow their savings with minimal risk.

How much does a $10,000 CD make in a year? ›

The national average APY for a one-year CD is 1.74 percent, based on Bankrate research, which shows this average has increased or remained the same since March 2022. If you deposited $10,000 into a one-year CD that pays this national average rate of 1.74 percent, in one year it would be worth a total of around $10,174.

What is the biggest negative of putting your money in a CD? ›

Banks and credit unions often charge an early withdrawal penalty for taking funds from a CD ahead of its maturity date. This penalty can be a flat fee or a percentage of the interest earned. In some cases, it could even be all the interest earned, negating your efforts to use a CD for savings.

How much does a $50,000 CD make in a year? ›

A long-term CD could yield $2,375 per year (for a 3-year CD)
TermAPYYield on $50,000 (per year)
2 years4.75%$2,250
3 years4.66%$2,375
4 years4.45%$2,225
5 years4.30%$2,150
Feb 10, 2024

Is a 6 month CD worth it? ›

CDs tend to offer higher yields than traditional savings and money market accounts, especially in a low-interest rate environment. A 6-month CD may be a good option if you know that you won't need access to your funds for at least six to nine months.

Is putting money in a CD worth it? ›

Is it worth putting money into a CD? For some people, it can be worth putting money into a CD. If a person is seeking a riskless investment with a modest return, CDs are a good bet—you'll earn a higher rate than you would with a checking or savings account, but you'll have to commit your funds for a fixed period.

Do you pay taxes on a CD? ›

Key takeaways. Interest earned on CDs is considered taxable income by the IRS, regardless of whether the money is received in cash or reinvested. Interest earned on CDs with terms longer than one year must be reported and taxed every year, even if the CD cannot be cashed in until maturity.

How can I double $5000 dollars? ›

How can I double $5000 dollars? One way to potentially double $5,000 is by investing it in a 401(k) account, especially if your employer matches your contributions. For example, if you invest $5,000 and your employer offers to fully match at 100%, you could start with a total of $10,000 in your account.

Can you ever lose money on a CD? ›

The risk of having a CD is very low. Unlike how the stock market or a Roth IRA can lose money, you typically cannot lose money in a CD. There is actually no risk the account owner incurs unless you withdraw money before the account reaches maturity.

What should I invest $5000 in today? ›

An investor with $5,000 to put into the market can spread that capital among various investment types, such as S&P or Nasdaq index funds, thematic ETFs, sector ETFs or even bonds. Many advisors recommend diversifying across investment options as a way of mitigating volatility.

How much will a $5 000 CD earn? ›

A 12-month, $5,000 CD with a 5.05% APY, for example, puts $252.50 in your pocket after a year -- without you having to make any sort of effort beyond opening the CD in the first place.

Why should you deposit $10,000 in CD now? ›

The top nationwide rate in each CD term—from 6 months to 5 years—currently ranges from 5.20% to 6.18% APY. With a $10,000 investment in a top-paying CD, you can earn hundreds to thousands of dollars of interest on your money—and much more than if you keep it in a typical savings account.

Why should you put $15000 into a 1 year CD now? ›

Unlike traditional or high-yield savings accounts, which have variable APYs, most CDs lock your money into a fixed interest rate the day you open the account. That's why if you suspect that interest rates will soon drop, it can be a good idea to put money in a CD to preserve the high APY you would earn.

What happens if I deposit $5000? ›

Depending on the situation, deposits smaller than $10,000 can also get the attention of the IRS. For example, if you usually have less than $1,000 in a checking account or savings account, and all of a sudden, you make bank deposits worth $5,000, the bank will likely file a suspicious activity report on your deposit.

How much money can a CD make you? ›

According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), as of Sept. 18, 2023, the average interest rate for a 1-year CD is 1.76%, more than double the 0.45% average rate reported for savings accounts. The best CD rates, as you'll see below, are considerably higher, with some APRs exceeding 5%.

How much can I make on a 5% CD? ›

That all noted, here's how much you can expect to make with a 5% CD interest rate: $500 deposit: $25 for a total of $525 after 12 months. $1,000 deposit: $50 for a total of $1,050 after 12 months. $2,500 deposit: $125 for a total of $2,625 after 12 months.

Where can I earn 5% on a CD? ›

Highest current CD rates (overall)
Institution nameAPYTerm length
Morgan Stanley5.10%18 months
MYSB Direct5.10%18 months
Bask Bank5.00%18 months
CFG Bank5.00%18 months
31 more rows
4 days ago

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