American Express CD rates apply to a single online CD with no minimum deposit and terms from 10 months to five years. Its 12-month CD currently pays 3.50% APY. We update these rates weekly from American Express’s own rate data.
American Express National Bank CDs at a glance
- Top rate
- 4.25% APY on a 10-month Standard CD
- Terms
- 10 months to 5 years
- Minimum deposit
- None
- CD types
- Standard
- Early withdrawal penalty
- 90 to 540 days of interest, by term
- Insurance
- FDIC, up to $250,000
Rates checked Sep 17, 2026 against American Express National Bank's own rate page. We check weekly and accept no paid placements.
- There is no minimum deposit or monthly fee, and the rate is the same at every balance.
- American Express offers several odd-length terms, including 10, 11, 14 and 22 months, so compare them with the standard one- and two-year terms.
- Early withdrawal penalties are steep on longer terms, reaching 540 days of interest on a five-year CD.
- For comparison, the FDIC national average on a 12-month CD is 1.71% APY.
American Express CD rates today
American Express offers one CD product, so all of its terms appear in a single table. Rates do not vary by balance.
| Term | APY | Min deposit | Rate last changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-month | 4.25% APY | None | – |
| 11-month | 3.50% APY | None | – |
| 12-month | 3.50% APY | None | – |
| 14-month | 3.50% APY | None | – |
| 18-month | 3.25% APY | None | – |
| 22-month | 4.00% APY | None | – |
| 2-year | 3.25% APY | None | – |
| 3-year | 2.25% APY | None | – |
| 4-year | 2.25% APY | None | – |
| 5-year | 3.00% APY | None | – |
A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal.
Rate last changed is the as-of date of the first week we saw the current rate; a dash means it hasn't changed since we started tracking it. Deposits at FDIC-member banks are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category.
How the American Express CD works
- Opening. You apply online, American Express verifies your identity, and you fund the CD from a linked bank account or by check. Linking an outside account can take up to two days.
- Interest. Interest compounds daily and is credited monthly. You can leave it in the CD or have it paid out.
- Deposits. The CD is funded once, at opening. Additional money can only be added during the 10-day grace period after maturity.
- Maturity. The CD renews automatically unless you instruct otherwise, with a 10-day grace period to add or withdraw funds without a penalty.
American Express early withdrawal penalties
Withdrawing before maturity costs a set number of days of interest, based on the term. If the penalty exceeds the interest earned, the difference comes out of principal.
| CD term | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Less than 12 months | 90 days of interest |
| 12 to 47 months | 270 days of interest |
| 48 to 59 months | 365 days of interest |
| 60 months or longer | 540 days of interest |
If the penalty exceeds the interest earned, the difference comes out of principal.
How American Express compares
The table below ranks the highest 12-month rates among the banks and credit unions we track each week. It is a limited set, so a smaller institution may pay more.
| Rank | Bank | APY | Min deposit | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barclays | 4.25% APY | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
| 2 | Ally Bank | 4.00% APY | None | Sep 16, 2026 |
| 3 | Navy Federal Credit Union | 3.70% APY | $1,000 | Sep 17, 2026 |
| 4 | American Express National Bank | 3.50% APY | None | Aug 25, 2026 |
| 5 | U.S. Bank | 0.05% APY | $500 | Sep 17, 2026 |
Standard CD rates for a $25,000 balance. These are the highest rates among the institutions AnnuityJournal checks each week, not every bank in the country. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Verify the current rate with the bank.
Across all terms, these are the best rates currently available from the institutions we follow.
| Term | Top APY | National avg. | Bank | Min deposit | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-month | 2.70% APY | 1.14% APY | Ally Bank | None | Sep 16, 2026 |
| 6-month | 4.00% APY | 1.41% APY | Barclays | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
| 9-month | 4.15% APY | – | Barclays | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
| 12-month | 4.25% APY | 1.71% APY | Barclays | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
| 18-month | 4.15% APY | – | Ally Bank | None | Sep 16, 2026 |
| 2-year | 4.35% APY | 1.57% APY | Barclays | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
| 3-year | 3.80% APY | 1.34% APY | Navy Federal Credit Union | $1,000 | Sep 17, 2026 |
| 4-year | 2.50% APY | 1.27% APY | Barclays | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
| 5-year | 4.25% APY | 1.36% APY | Barclays | None | Sep 11, 2026 |
Standard CD rates for a $25,000 balance, from each institution's own published rates. These are the highest among the institutions AnnuityJournal checks each week, not every bank in the country. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Verify the current rate with the bank. National average: the FDIC national rate for August 2026, via the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED).
American Express CD vs. a fixed annuity
A CD and a multi-year guaranteed annuity (MYGA) both lock in a rate for a fixed number of years. The differences are who guarantees the money, how the interest is taxed and what it costs to get out early.
| Product | Rate/APY | What $25,000 earns over 5 years | Guaranteed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| National average 5-year CD FDIC national rate, August 2026 | 1.36% APY | $1,747 | FDIC or NCUA insurance, up to $250,000 |
| American Express National Bank 5-year CD Standard rate, as of Aug 25, 2026 | 3.00% APY | $3,982 | FDIC insurance, up to $250,000 |
| 5-year MYGA: Knighthead Life Staysail 5 (Simple Interest) Top rate from carriers rated A- or better (AM Best A-) | 6.55% guaranteed | $8,188 | The issuing insurer and state guaranty associations |
| 5-year Treasury Par yield as of Sep 16, 2026 | 4.86% yield | $6,695 | The U.S. government |
MYGAs are not FDIC-insured; they are backed by the issuing insurer and state guaranty associations, up to state limits, and carry surrender charges for early withdrawals. Earnings are estimates before taxes: the rate compounded once a year over the term with interest left in the account (simple interest where noted). The national average and Treasury figures are treated the same way. A penalty may be imposed for early CD withdrawal. This comparison is educational, not a recommendation; verify every rate with the provider.
Taxes are often the deciding factor. CD interest is taxed each year as it accrues, while annuity interest grows tax-deferred until it is withdrawn. For a closer look, see how MYGAs compare with Treasury bonds and today’s best MYGA rates.
Who American Express CDs suit
An American Express CD suits savers who want a simple online account with no minimum, who are comfortable choosing an odd-length term when it pays best, or who already bank with American Express. Its terms can also fill specific rungs of a CD ladder.
It is a weaker fit if you might need the money early on a longer term, given the penalty schedule, if you want a no-penalty or bump-up CD, or if you are saving for five years or longer and would benefit from the tax deferral a fixed annuity offers.
Frequently asked questions
What is American Express National Bank's best CD rate right now?
American Express National Bank's highest CD rate we track is 4.25% APY on its 10-month Standard CD, as of Aug 25, 2026. That's for a $25,000 balance. Rates change often, so confirm the current rate with American Express National Bank before opening an account.
When were these rates last checked?
AnnuityJournal last checked American Express National Bank's rates on Sep 17, 2026, directly from American Express National Bank's own rate page. We check once a week, and we stop showing any rate that hasn't been checked in 10 days.
Is an American Express National Bank CD better than a fixed annuity (MYGA)?
Over 5 years, American Express National Bank pays 3.00% APY on its CD, and the top 5-year MYGA we track pays 6.55% guaranteed (Knighthead Life). It depends on what you need. A CD is FDIC-insured up to $250,000 and you can reach the money early by paying a penalty. A MYGA is not FDIC-insured; it is backed by the issuing insurance company and state guaranty associations, carries surrender charges, and its interest grows tax-deferred until you withdraw it.
Are American Express CDs insured?
Yes. The CDs are issued by American Express National Bank, a member of the FDIC, so deposits are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category.
Can I add money to an American Express CD?
Only at opening and during the 10-day grace period after maturity. Deposits are not accepted during the term.
Rates change without notice, so confirm current American Express CD rates with the bank before opening an account.