Shop around and you can earn more than the national average of 2% on an 18-month certificate of deposit.
These top-paying CDs are available nationwide with a $500 minimum deposit:
2.79% APY from Northeast Community Bank, which has branches in New York City.
2.71% APY from State Farm Bank, which is part of the insurance company. [...]

Less than a month ago we noted that anyone who wanted to earn 3% on a certificate of deposit would have to lock their money up for at least two years.
Now you’ll have to commit your money for at least two-and-a-half years.
GMAC Bank, which continues to offer the some of the best nationally-available interest [...]

Fifth Third Bank touts its certificates of deposit “to help achieve your investment and wealth management goals.”
But you’d need some pretty modest goals to reach nirvana with standard 12- to 24-month CDs that pay as little as 0.50% for deposits up to $5,000, 0.60% for deposits up to $10,000 and 0.70% for deposits up [...]

Chevy Chase Bank, which has scores of branches in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area, touts its “Platinum Banking Package” as “a truly rewarding banking experience.”
It offers some nice perks, like the free use of any ATM, anywhere in the world, and promises “our best CD Rates — at least ¼% higher [...]

Don’t get too excited about this specific offer.
Although it’s one of the best short-term CD deals around, it’s only available to customers that have a checking account at the new Atlanta bank.
While there are some things to like about the One Georgia’s checking accounts (”No ATM fees. Anytime. Anywhere.”), the terms aren’t generous enough [...]

If you have lots of money to invest in a high-interest checking account, you need one with that pays a good rate on a big balance.
That’s what makes Platinum Rewards Checking at Farmers & Merchants Bank stand out.
It’s paying 4.51% on balances up to $50,000. (Deposits over $50,000 earn 1.54%).
Some banks, such [...]

Just a quick update on where to find the best deals.
You can still earn 3.10% APY on a 24-month certificate of deposit from GMAC Bank, and the minimum deposit is just $500.
Intervest National Bank a New York-based online bank is paying 3.00% on a 30-month CD with a $2,500 minimum deposit ($1,000 if [...]

A smart reader noted that Redneck Bank is paying 3.10% on its money market account.
And that’s true.
It’s owned by Todd and Wade Huckabay, two brothers from a family with a long history in Oklahoma banking and rare sense of humor for the financial industry.
The Huckabays control Bank of the Wichitas — and its [...]

Taah-Daah!
We’ve finally found someone paying 3% on a certificate of deposit of less than two years.
It’s Charter Bank, which has six branches in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Rio Rancho, N.M.
Charter is offering a 14-month, 3.00% APY CD with a $5,000 minimum deposit.
That’s more than double the national average of 1.37% for a [...]