Let’s be real. If you’re looking at chase cd rates now, you’re probably already a Chase customer. You’ve got the blue app on your phone. You know where the local branch is. It’s convenient. But if you’re expecting to get rich off the interest, you might be in for a bit of a shock.
Honestly, the world of big bank interest rates is kinda weird. While online banks like Ally or Marcus are constantly shouting about their 4% or 5% APYs, Chase plays a different game. They aren't trying to outbid the internet. They’re looking for "relationship" customers. Basically, if you just walk in off the street with $1,000, they’ll give you a rate so low it’s almost funny—we’re talking 0.01% APY. That’s not a typo.
But there’s a way to actually get a decent return if you know which buttons to push.
The Relationship Game: How to Actually Get Paid
The first thing you have to understand is the "Relationship Rate." You don’t get the "good" rates (and I use that term loosely) unless you link a Chase checking account to your CD. Without that link, you’re stuck with the standard rate, which is basically a rounding error.
Right now, in January 2026, the Fed has been cutting rates a bit. We’ve seen a shift from those massive 5% peaks in 2024 down to a more moderate environment. If you have a linked checking account and can hit certain deposit tiers—usually starting at $1,000 but getting better at $100,000—you can find "Featured Terms."
The Sweet Spots
Chase doesn't want you to park money for 10 years. They want you in for specific, awkward amounts of time. Look for terms like:
- 3 Months: Often holds a competitive "teaser" rate around 4.25% for relationship customers.
- 6 Months: Usually sits a bit lower, maybe 3.00% to 4.00%.
- 9 or 10 Months: This is where the marketing team usually hides the best deal to lure in new cash.
If you go for a "standard" term like a flat 12 months or 24 months, the rate often drops off a cliff. It’s a classic big-bank move. They reward the people who pay attention to the promotional windows and "punish" the ones who just pick a round number of years.
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Why the $1,000 Minimum Matters
You need at least a grand to open a Chase CD. Some online banks let you start with $1, but Chase keeps that $1,000 barrier. If you have $999, you’re out of luck.
Is it worth it? Let's do the math. If you put $10,000 into a 3-month Relationship CD at 4.25%, you’re looking at roughly $106 in interest. Not life-changing, but it pays for a decent dinner out. If you did that same $10,000 at the 0.01% standard rate? You’d earn about 25 cents. You literally couldn't buy a piece of gum with your earnings after three months.
The Trap: Early Withdrawal Penalties
Life happens. Your car breaks down, or you decide you actually want that money for a house down payment. Withdrawing early from a CD at Chase is a move that’ll cost you. They don't just take a little off the top; they take a chunk of your time.
For terms less than 6 months, you’re usually looking at a penalty of 90 days of interest. If your term is between 6 months and 24 months, it’s 180 days. For anything longer? A full 365 days of interest.
The kicker? If you haven’t even earned that much interest yet, they take it out of your principal. Yeah, you could actually end up with less money than you started with. This is why you never put your emergency fund in a CD. Keep that in a high-yield savings account where you can grab it at 2 AM without a penalty.
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Is Chase Actually Competitive in 2026?
If you look at the broader market, Chase is... okay. It’s like buying a sandwich at the airport. It’s right there, it’s easy, and you know what you’re getting. But if you walked two blocks outside the airport, you’d get a better sandwich for half the price.
Online-only banks are still hovering around that 4.00% to 4.50% range for 1-year terms. Chase’s relationship rates might touch those numbers on very specific "Featured" months, but they rarely beat them across the board.
However, there is one big advantage: The "All-in-One" factor.
Some people hate having six different bank logins. If your mortgage, credit card, and checking are all at Chase, adding a CD there makes your tax season way simpler. You get one 1099-INT form. You see all your balances in one app. For some, that peace of mind is worth the 0.50% difference in APY.
The 2026 Strategy: CD Laddering
Since we’re in a declining rate environment compared to the last two years, people are getting creative. Instead of dumping $50,000 into one CD, they're "laddering."
Basically, you split your money.
- Put $12,500 in a 3-month CD.
- Put $12,500 in a 6-month CD.
- Put $12,500 in a 9-month CD.
- Put $12,500 in a 12-month CD.
Every three months, a CD matures. If you need the cash, take it. If you don't, roll it into a new 12-month CD. This keeps your money relatively liquid while still locking in today’s rates before they fall even further.
What You Should Do Right Now
Stop looking at the national average. It doesn’t matter. What matters is your specific zip code and your current relationship with the bank.
First, log into your Chase app and check the "Special Offers" section. Often, they’ll give you a targeted rate that isn’t even on their public website. Second, compare that number to a no-penalty CD from an online bank. If the Chase rate is within 0.25%, the convenience probably wins. If the gap is wider, it's time to move your cash.
Don't let your money sit in a standard savings account earning 0.01%. That is essentially letting the bank use your money for free. If you aren't going to touch that cash for six months, lock it in. Even a mediocre CD rate is better than nothing, but a Relationship "Featured" rate is where the actual value is hidden.
Check your balance. See if you hit that $10,000 or $100,000 tier. If you're close, it might be worth moving a few extra dollars from your checking account just to jump into the next interest bracket. Every little bit counts when the Fed starts moving the goalposts.
Next Steps for Your Savings:
Check your local Chase branch's specific "Rate Sheet" as these can vary by region. If you find a "Featured Term" (like 7 or 11 months), compare the total interest yield against a standard 12-month term to see if the shorter, promotional window actually pays more in total dollars. If you anticipate needing the cash sooner, look into a "Liquid CD" or a Money Market account as an alternative to avoid those heavy withdrawal penalties.