When it comes to longer-term savings, certificates of deposit can make for a great, lower risk investment with guaranteed returns. However, as simple as CDs are, misconceptions still abound when it comes to them. Some people steer clear of CDs because they think they're complicated or outdated, while others simply don't understand how they work. In reality, CDs are generally a secure and straightforward way to grow your savings. Below, we'll debunk some of the common myths surrounding CDs to provide clarity and help you better understand them.

• What is a certificate of deposit?

• Myth 1: CDs are complicated and outdated

• How does a CD work?

• Myth 2: CDs offer low interest rate

• How to find the highest interest rate

• Myth 3: CDs have unreasonable early withdrawal penalties

• How does a CD penalty for early withdrawal work?

• How to avoid CD penalty fees

• Myth 4: CDs are not worth it

• Are CD accounts worth it?

• Myth 5: CD accounts tie up your money

• CD laddering for high returns and high liquidity

• Understanding and saving with CDs

Before we dive into myths, let's establish what exactly a certificate of deposit is. A certificate of deposit, or a CD, is a time deposit offered by banks and financial institutions. It involves depositing a specific amount of money for a fixed period, during which the funds earn interest at a predetermined rate. CDs are typically considered low-risk investments, making them attractive to those seeking stable returns.

The intricacies of how a CD works at a bank or credit union can be a source of confusion. However, CDs are simple and transparent savings tools.

When you open a CD, you deposit a fixed amount of money for a predetermined term, typically ranging from a few months to several years. The bank pays you interest on the principal and, at the end of the term, you receive your initial deposit plus accumulated interest.

CDs are far from outdated and provide a simple, secure method to grow your savings.

A CD account is a simple yet effective way to earn interest on your savings. It provides a set interest rate, allowing you to anticipate your returns accurately. The fixed term ensures that your money is "locked up" for a specific period, providing both stability and a guaranteed return. There is typically a penalty for early withdrawals to help deter you from breaking your CD prior to maturity.

Another prevalent myth is that CDs offer low interest rates. In reality, the interest rates on CDs can be highly competitive. To ensure you get the best rates, shopping around and comparing offerings from different banks and credit unions is essential. Online banks, credit unions, and even traditional banks may have varying rates, and exploring all options allows you to maximize your returns.

Finding the highest CD rates is easy. There are plenty of websites that aggregate rates from banks and credit unions across the internet. When it comes to securing those rates, however, things can be a bit more complicated. If you would like to open CDs at multiple financial institutions, you’ll need to share sensitive financial information multiple times, keep track of multiple passwords, deal with varying minimum starting deposits, and gather monthly statements and tax documents from each institution separately.

With a free online savings platform like Raisin, you can find and fund CDs from an exclusive network of 55+ federally insured financial institutions — all from a single account. Sign up requires securely sharing your personal information just once and only takes a few minutes. All CDs on Raisin have a $1 minimum deposit and the only fees you may encounter are early withdrawal penalties. Plus, your monthly statements and tax documents are streamlined and all accessible with that single username and password.

Another common concern is the perception that early withdrawal from a CD results in exorbitant penalties. While it's true that CDs typically have penalties for withdrawing funds before the maturity date, these penalties may be less severe than you might think — typically calculated as a percentage of interest earned, a flat fee, or a fixed dollar amount. Understanding the terms of early withdrawal is essential to making informed decisions.

CD early withdrawal penalties are usually expressed as a percentage of the interest earned or a certain number of months' worth of interest. While penalties can vary, they are designed to discourage early withdrawals. However, they are generally not intended to be punitive. By being aware of these penalties, investors can plan accordingly and weigh the benefits of liquidity against potential financial consequences.

Learn more about CD early withdrawal penalties here

The most obvious means of avoiding CD early withdrawal penalty fees is letting a CD reach maturity. In this best-case scenario, you won’t need your funds until the end of the CD’s term, at which point you can withdraw your principal and all accrued interest.

Life isn’t always that easy, however. Sometimes you have funds that you aren’t expecting to need but an emergency arises prior to maturity and you’re in need of cash. This is where the no-penalty CD comes into play.

A no-penalty CD is a variation on the certificate of deposit where funds are deposited for a set term and earn a fixed interest rate. This interest rate is typically lower than a fixed-term CD of similar length but higher than that of a high-yield savings account.

The difference with a no-penalty CD is that they typically allow for an early withdrawal without an associated penalty fee. They can be a great option for an emergency fund or other money that you want to grow at a competitive, fixed rate without forgoing interest earnings if you need it prior to maturity.

Best of all, you don’t lost any of your accrued interest.

Some people question the overall worth of CD accounts, believing better investment options are available. However, the value of a CD depends on an individual's financial goals and risk tolerance. CDs may be particularly suitable for those seeking stability and a guaranteed return on their investment.

Consider your financial objectives before dismissing the worth of CD accounts. While other investment options may offer higher return potential, the key word there is “potential.” Investments like stocks, ETFs, and crypto all come with the potential of great gains, but also the potential of loss of principal. In contrast, CDs offered by federally insured financial institutions are covered up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution in case of bank or credit union failure.

Want to increase the amount of money you have covered in a single account? With Raisin, you can spread your deposits across as many of our partner banks and credit unions as you’d like. Funds at each are covered up to the institutional limits, allowing you to potentially reduce your risk of loss.

If stability, lower risk, and predictable returns align with your goals, a CD may be a valuable addition to your investment portfolio.

One of the biggest misconceptions about CDs is that once money is invested in a CD, it becomes inaccessible until maturity. While CDs do have fixed terms and making early withdrawals typically incurs penalties, you can still find some flexibility. Investors can choose CDs with varying maturity periods to align with their anticipated financial needs, allowing for strategic planning.

To strike the right balance of returns with liquidity, consider building a CD ladder. CD laddering is an easy way to spread your funds across CDs of varying terms, ensuring you can take advantage of higher interest rates while always having funds approaching maturity.

For example, if you have $75,000 to save, you could deposit $25,000 each in 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year CDs. Once the first CD reaches maturity, you could then either reinvest in a new 3-year CD, or spend the money as you’d like. In this scenario, you never have funds more than a year away from maturity.

If you’d prefer a tighter timeline, you could deposit $25,000 each in a 3-month, 6-month, and 9-month CD. Now, funds would always be maturing within the next three months and your funds would never be locked up for a full year.

Learn more about CD laddering here

Debunking the myths surrounding certificates of deposit is essential for making informed financial choices. By understanding how CDs work at a bank or credit union, the truth about interest rates and early withdrawal penalties, and the overall worth of CD accounts, investors can confidently navigate the financial landscape.

Explore the best rates on certificates of deposit, compare offerings, and evaluate your financial goals. Certificates of deposit, when utilized strategically, can be valuable instruments for achieving stability and predictable returns in your investment portfolio. Don't let myths cloud your judgment – empower yourself with knowledge for a financially secure future.

Remember, the key to successful investing is choosing the right financial instruments, staying informed, and adapting your strategy to align with your evolving financial goals.

Ready to get started with certificates of deposit? With Raisin, it’s easy to find and fund a CD with a range of terms to suit your financial goals. Click below to view all of the current CDs on Raisin.