The purpose of Landmark Banks formation of Giant Bank is to offer online banking services to its consumers while allowing an increase in rates because of the cheaper overhead as compared to physical banks. Their promise of giving back to their consumers is not mere words as Giant Bank is now offering the highest 6 month CD rate with 1.00% APY.

A look at Giant Bank’s CD Rates:

3 month CD – 0.50% APY
6 month CD – 1.00% APY
9 month CD – 1.05% APY
12 month CD – 1.09% APY
24 month CD – 1.29% APY
36 month CD – 1.54% APY
60 month CD – 1.98% APY

Aside from leading in the 6 month CD category, Giant Bank is also giving good rates for 3 month CDs. It currently ranks second among the highest rates, coming after OneWest Bank’s 0.60% APY. It also gives a fair 1 year CD rate, with the highest rates from Doral Bank at 1.15%. This trend also follows with 3 year CD rates with the highest rates again from Doral Bank at only a slight difference of 1.60%.

Giant Bank however falls slightly behind the others in the longest term CD, the highest 5 year rate being 2.20% from First Internet Bank of Indiana. This is a large gap from what Giant Bank is offering, but nonetheless, Giant Bank’s rate is still higher than the national average of 1.26%.

Despite being a relatively new banking institution, Giant Bank places its credibility on the length of existence of its founding company, Landmark Bank. For those who are looking for higher rates, Giant Bank may just do it for you.

Today a few banks have already lowered their rates on short and long term certificates of deposits. The bright spot is, those banks were not offering any of the top CD rates, so who really cares or knows. The current list of the top CD rates has held steady… well so far. When you find a big gap between the first and second place holders of any CD rate, usually you will see a decrease coming from the top holder.

Here is an example of the top three leaders in each CD term starting with the 6 month CD rates. We added Melrose Credit Union to show how much higher their rates are, compared to normal bank rates, plus to get the Melrose Credit Union rate you have to become a member, which is open to everyone located anywhere in the US:

6 Month CDs

• AloStar Bank of Commerce – 1.05% APY
• AuroraBank – 1.04% APY
• Ascencia – 1.02% APY

12 Month CDs

• (Melrose Credit Union – 1.31% APY)
• AloStar Bank of Commerce – 1.27% APY
• E-Loan – 1.26% APY
• Sallie Mae – 1.20% APY

24 Month CDs

• (Melrose Credit Union – 1.56% APY)
• MainStreet Bank – 1.50% APY
• AuroraBank – 1.46% APY
• VirtualBank – 1.46% APY * (has the lowest rating of 1 out of 5 stars on bankrate)

36 Month CDs

• (Melrose Credit Union – 2.07% APY)
• MainStreet Bank – 2.00% APY
• Doral Bank – 1.80% APY
• AuroraBank – 1.75% APY

48 Month CDs

• MainStreet Bank – 2.50% APY
• (Melrose Credit Union – 2.32% APY)
• Transportation Alliance – 2.06% APY
• American Bank – 2.00% APY

60 Month CDs

• (Melrose Credit Union – 2.83% APY)
• MainStreet Bank – 2.60% APY
• First Internet Bank of Indiana – 2.40% APY
• Discover Bank – 2.35% APY

As you can see most banks are being competitive in the rates they offer. The biggest gaps in rates are between the 36 Month CD and the 48 Month CD, which could mean these rates will be adjusted at any time.

You can find MainStreet Bank’s CD here.

For all of our best CD rates, be sure to visit our CD Rates page.

Wells Fargo is no different than Bank of America, Chase, US Bank or any other major banking institutions. If you feel more comfortable putting your money with a large bank then it’s all about where you look. None of the certificates of deposit offered at Wells Fargo will come close to the national averages for CD Rates.

If you take a look at our last CD Rate board For September 3rd, you will see how low these rates are from Wells Fargo.

Take a look at how low the short term rates are from Wells Fargo:

• 3 Month CD – 0.10% APY
• 6 Month CD – 0.15% APY
• 12 Month CD – 0.20% APY

Those were the interest rates on a minimum of $2,500 deposited.

If you can increase your minimum to $5,000 Wells Fargo will give you better rates on its longer ‘odd’ term CD rates.

• 23 Month CD – 0.90% APY
• 33 Month CD – 1.15% APY
• 54 Month CD – 1.90% APY, which the national average return for a 60 Month CD is 1.72% APY.

The main reason why someone would want to buy into these CDs is for security reasons. Most major banks are insured and while the U.S. government won’t allow them to fail, smaller banks and even some credit unions are still at risk.

Long term certificates of deposit are still not impressive and probably isn’t worth your time or money to buy at this current period of time. You are more likely to make your money back by investing into something tangible, real estate or something else that you can keep your cash free from penalty. CDs require you to keep your money in for the term or risk losing most all of your interest and possibly even some of your principle.

Be sure to check out our CD rate tables for the best deals nationally.

Here are the best CDs currently available to resident’s nation wide:

• 3 Month CD – 1.35% APY at iGobanking with a minimum deposit of $500.
• 6 Month CD – 1.25% APY at NewDominion Bank with a minimum deposit of $3,000.
• 12 Month CD – 1.76% APY at Melrose Credit Union with a minimum deposit of $5,000.
• 24 Month CD – 2.02% APY at Melrose Credit Union with a minimum deposit of $5,000.
• 36 Month CD – 2.52% APY at Melrose Credit Union with a minimum deposit of $5,000.
• 60 Month CD – 3.29% APY at Melrose Credit Union with a minimum deposit of $5,000.

Melrose Credit Union is one Credit Union that allows any U.S. resident to join with a sign up fee of $1. This makes Melrose a great option since they also have some of the Nation’s best CD rates available.

You can always compare the best CD rates from our database of banks and institutions to find the best options for your money.

Gateway Commercial Bank is located in Mesa, Arizona. Their board of directors understands the issues and needs of local small businesses. They are a small bank with personalized services.

You can open their 6 Month CD with a minimum deposit of $1,000. An Early Withdrawal Penalty will result by closing the CD before the end of the term. Be sure to check out their site for the newest rates as they are subject to change at any time. Since this is a small local bank to Mesa Arizona their CD’s may be more competitive than traditional banks and institutions.

• 3 Month CD – 1.35% APY at iGObanking with a minimum deposit of $500.
• 6 Month CD – 1.25% APY at New Dominion Bank with a minimum deposit of $3,000.
• 12 Month CD – 1.76% APY at Melrose Credit Union with a minimum deposit of $5,000.
• 24 Month CD – 2.02% APY at Melrose Credit Union with a minimum deposit of $5,000.
• 36 Month CD – 2.52% APY at Melrose Credit Union with a minimum deposit of $5,000.
• 60 Month CD – 3.29% APY at Melrose Credit Union with a minimum deposit of $5,000.

These are the best places to find the highest paying CD Rates currently in the Nation. Most Credit Unions have many requirements to fulfill before you are allowed to become a member but Melrose Credit Union makes it possible for anyone to join. The cost of joining their Credit Union is $1.

You can find the most up to date CD rates from our CD Rates page.

These rates continue to hold steady for the week of July 26, 2010. To find all of the current CD Rates, be sure to view our CD Rate tables.

• Fort Knox Federal Credit Union in Radcliff, KY is offering a 3 Month CD at 1.40% APY with a required minimum deposit of $500.
• Fort Knox Federal Credit Union is also offering the best 6 Month CD at 1.40% APY with a minimum deposit of $500.
• Melrose Credit Union located in Queens, New York is offering a 12 Month CD at 1.76% APY with a minimum deposit of $5,000.
• Melrose Credit Union is also offering the best 24 Month CD rate at 2.02% APY, the best 36 Month CD rate of 2.52% APY and the best 60 Month CD rate of 3.29% APY all with a minimum deposit of $5,000.

You have to become a member with both of these credit unions before you can gain access to their top CD rates. Both credit unions have a low joining fee, which may start to eat into your earnings if you plan on only investing a small amount of money.

Your deposit at Fort Knox and Melrose Credit Union are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which is like the FDIC for banks.

You can always compare the best CD Rates from many banks and credit unions in our database.

We have found two credit unions who offer the top rates nationally on 3 month up to 5 year certificates of deposit.

• Fort Knox Federal Credit Union in Radcliff, KY is offering a 3 Month CD at 1.40% APY with a required minimum deposit of $500.
• Fort Knox Federal Credit Union is also offering the best 6 Month CD at 1.40% APY with a minimum deposit of $500.
• Melrose Credit Union located in Queens, New York is offering a 12 Month CD at 1.76% APY with a minimum deposit of $5,000.
• Melrose Credit Union is also offering the best 24 Month CD rate at 2.02% APY, the best 36 Month CD rate of 2.52% APY and the best 60 Month CD rate of 3.29% APY all with a minimum deposit of $5,000.

Most credit unions if they are not only open to local residents require you to qualify for their membership. For instance Boeing used to be only opened to Boeing employees and most local teachers credit unions where only opened to teachers. Many credit unions have been laxing their restrictions to gain the business of others.

To join the Fort Knox credit union all you have to do is join the American Consumer Council right on their website. Follow the instructions on becoming a member. For “Eligibility Criteria,” use the menu to click on “American Consumer Council/Kentucky Chapter.”

Joining this credit union is simple in terms of qualifying for their membership. Once you have completed the application process you will be automatically enrolled into the consumer advocacy group which will give you access to their best CD rates.

The cost for joining their credit union is $15.

The Melrose Credit Union allows all U.S. residents to join their membership and the cost is only $1

All deposits at Fort Knox and Melrose are federally insured by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration).

You can compare these CD rates from a list of the top CDs currently being offered and see why they are on top of the list for best CD rates so far this month.

Be mindful that CD rates are always changing and that these rates may be out of date depending on the date of this article. You can always find up to date CD rates from our CD rates page.

How we came up with this information:

As you may very well know that if you are looking for the highest CD rates you will need to look at the longer maturities such as the 60 month CD or CDs that require a high minimum deposit.

Highest 6 Month CD Rates In Sacramento, CA:

• UFB Direct – 6 month CD yields 1.70% APY with a minimum deposit of $8,000. This is a national bank and will accept deposits from other states.
• First Financial Bank (Sacramento branch) – A promotional 10 month CD yields 1.50% APY with a minimum deposit of $500.
• Community Business Bank of West Sacramento – 6 month CD yields 1.45% APY with a minimum deposit of $10,000.

Highest 12 Month CD Rates In Sacramento, CA:

• Colorado Federal Savings Bank (Sacramento branch) – 12 month CD yields 2.0% APY with a minimum deposit of $5,000.
• Community Business Bank – 12 month CD yields 2.0% APY with a minimum deposit of $10,000.
• iGoBanking.com – 12 month CD yields 2.0% APY with a minimum deposit of $1,000. This is an online institution with will accept deposits from any state.

Highest 24 Month CD Rates In Sacramento, CA:

• Hudson City Savings Bank – 24 month CD yields 2.50% APY with a minimum deposit of $5,000. This bank can accept deposits from any state.
• First Financial Bank – A promotional 25 month CD yields 2.50% APY with a minimum deposit of $10,000.
• CitiBank (Carmichael, CA branch) – 24 month CD yields 2.25% APY with a minimum deposit of $1,000.

All of these banks and credit unions are federally insured. Make sure the bank or credit union you deposit your money to is insured by either the FDIC or NCUA. If you live in or around Sacramento, CA and you know of a better CD rate please let us know.

Keep in mind that CD rates are always changing so you will want to refer to the date of this article for accuracy. You can always get the most up to date CD rates from our national CD Rates page.

How do we choose which CDs are best?

As you may already know, the higher CD rates tend to accompany the longer maturities and/or the higher deposit minimums and therefore we wanted to give our reads options in choosing which CD is best for them. Instead of putting only information of the highest CD rates, which tend to accompany the Jumbo CDs, we have come up with a list of banks and credit unions that are easier to obtain.

Highest 6 Month CD Rates In Las Vegas, Nevada:

• Nevada Commerce Bank – 6 month CD yields 1.77% APY with a minimum deposit of $10,000.
• Branch Banking and Trust Company (Henderson, NV) – 6 month CD yields 1.75% APY with a minimum deposit of $1,000.
• Nevada National Bank – 6 month CD yields 1.65% APY with a minimum deposit of $1,000.

Highest 12 Month CD Rates In Las Vegas, Nevada:

• Black Mountain Community Bank – 12 month CD yields 2.15% APY with a minimum deposit of $1,000.
• Bank of Las Vegas – 13 month CD yields 2.10% APY with a minimum deposit of $500.
• Mutual of Omaha Bank – 16 month CD yields 2.10% APY with a minimum deposit of $2,500.

Highest 24 Month CD Rates In Las Vegas, Nevada:

• Nevada Commerce Bank – 24 month CD yields 2.53% APY with a minimum deposit of $10,000.
• Hudson City Savings Bank – 24 month CD yields 2.50% APY with a minimum deposit of $5,000. This is a national bank and will accept deposits nationwide.
• Washington Federal Savings and Loan Association – 24 month CD yields 2.50% APY with a minimum deposit of $1,000.

All of these banks and credit unions are federally insured by either the FDIC or NCUA. Be sure you check with your bank to make sure they are federally insured and only deposit money in banks and credit unions that are insured. If you live in Las Vegas or in the state of Nevada and know of better CD rates from your local bank or credit union, then please let us know.