We are excited to announce our completed IRA CD Rates Report. It is in Beta mode so it is being offered very inexpensively for those willing to “test” it. Basically, we are providing you the Top five IRA CD rates that we have found for terms from 1-year to 5-years. We provide some basic financial information, a star rating, contact information, and what I believe to be most helpful is what we call a road map. The road map provides the instructions for setting up the CD. We compiled all of this information in an easy to use PDF download. We provide a sample to view so you can determine before purchasing if the rates are competitive or not. So check it out and let us know what you think. Top 5 IRA CD Rates More links — Plan a Budget

[Note: Updated: 8/23/10] I haven’t posted rates for sometime. So here are a few that I’m aware of. These rates are for personal deposits. Rates are posted as the APY unless stated otherwise. Alliant Federal Credit Union — 1-Year at 1.75%, 18-months at 2.00%, 2-year at 2.25%. They pay interest at maturity only. They also offer these rates for IRAs. Membership is open to everyone through the National PTA. There is a one-time $25 charge. Already have Alliant, try Fort Knox Federal Credit Union. 14-months at 1.75% and 23-months at 2.30%. They can pay interest monthly if you need the income and also do IRAs. Membership is open to everyone through the American Consumer Council/Kentucky Chapter. It costs $15.00. If you don’t like credit unions and want a bank, try Sallie Mae Bank. They have a 15-month CD at 1.55%. There is an online process to complete to open your CD. It appears that we will have this low rate environment for quite some time. If you want to hedge against the possibility of lower rates (the longer the Fed holds Fed Funds at 0% to 0.25%, the lower rates will go) then consider a longer-term CD. We have a bank offering a 10-year CD above 2.70% APR with a 90-Day Early Withdrawal Penalty. If you take the penalty and close after 1-year, you would net above 1.73%. After 2-years, it would be above 2.21% and after 3-years above 2.37%. $50,000 minimum. I can’t provide the bank information for free on this one, but the calculated rates are net of our fees. Feel free to share CD rates you are finding or contact us if you want info on the 10-year. Have a great weekend. cd :O)

We have seen more rates decreasing again this month. The highest Certificate of Deposit rates for one year with healthy banks are averaging below 1.25%. One Star to Two star rated banks are still popping in around 1.50%. We heard that a bank in Puerto Rico was offering a 2.25%, but only for local credit unions. It has to turn around someday. I’m a using little different format this time. One Year CDs Northpointe Bank has top CD rates at 2.05%. Of course there is a catch. It is actually a 2-year CD with no penalty to close after 1-year. So after 1-year it basically becomes a liquid CD. Quite a nice feature. Bank does have some weakness though. Alliant Credit Union has a 1.75%. We’ve featured them before. They have a 3 to 4 star rating depending on whom you ask. Eighteen Month CDs Alliant Credit Union has a 2.00%. First City Bank of Florida has a 2.00%. They have a 1-star rating. Aurora Bank FSB (FKA Lehman Brothers Bank) has a 1.78%. They have a 2-star to 3-star rating. And yes, they are trying to distance themselves from their past failures. Two Year CDs We have a bank with a 2.50%. They are 3 to 4 star rated. Alliant has a 2Y at 2.25%. Alliant came on the scene a few years ago and has continued to keep their rates quite competitive. And of course as I mentioned above, Northpointe has a 2.05%. Three Year CDs First Federal Bank of the Midwest has a 37-month at 2.75%. They have a 4-star rating. Alliant Credit Union comes in second with a 2.50%. Pentagon Federal Credit Union also has a 3-year at 2.50%. They have a 4-star rating. Five Year CDs Acacia Federal Savings Bank has a 3.20%. They have a 2-star rating. Nationwide Bank has a 3.10% and only a 6-month penalty to close. Ally Bank is supposed to have a 60-Day penalty and their rate is 2.99%. At least they could have made it an even 3.00%. Please remember that although we strive for accuracy mistakes can be made. Please verify federal insurance, rates, and ratings with any institution you are looking to make deposits with. Bank and Credit Union Reviews

Have a couple of good CD rates. 14-mo at 1.93% APY. Bauer — 3-Stars. TheStreet — B-. FDIC Insured Bank. 2-year at 2.49% APY. Bauer — 4-stars. TheStreet — D+. This is sort of an enigma. We use a third rating system that also rates them above average. I looked at the data and they did have quite a charge off and the reserves they have set aside may not cover future loan losses. So TheStreet may actually be the better rating. Of course, they are FDIC insured. $100,000 minimum. Call and mention the blog post for a 20% discount on our fee (0.12% instead of 0.15%). Our number is 800-234-4605. Looking for free rate information: Acacia Federal Savings Bank — 15mo at 1.64%. If this post was helpful and you haven’t subscribed yet, sign up for our rate alerts. Free or paid we do our best to provide value. If you are a subscriber, tell your friends. Have a great weekend. My youngest daughter will be doing a ballet performance. Have any good deals, share them. cd :O) Institutional CD Rate

We’ve got some really good specials today and they will probably last a few days at least. Problem is it is only available for other Banks and Credit Unions. The Bank is FDIC insured and has a 3-Star Bauer Rating. They don’t want to deal with the CIP info that would be necessary for corporations or individuals. We do have a fee, but even taking that into account, the rates are well above other things we are seeing. This would be great for Bank trust departments managing pension funds, retirement accounts, etc. Rate is great for credit unions that have excess cash on hand. There is a $200K minimum, but sometimes they’ll let us send $100,000. Rates: 2Y — 2.25% 3Y — 2.75% 42M — 3.00% 4Y — 3.00% 5Y — 3.50% (only a 6-month Early Withdrawal Penalty) So call us at 800-234-4605 or refer someone. We’ll pay $50 for a successful referral. Mention this blog post and receive a 20% discount on our fee. cd :O) CD Rates Around the Nation

Well, I finally completed the article writing challenge. I wrote over 15,000 words in 30-days. Those that know me, probably wonder how I kept it so short. :O) Anyway, if you are curious about my adventure, check this out, How to Make Money Writing Articles Many of the articles I wrote featured CD rates in other states. Some of the rates aren’t available outside those states and some may have changed, but a good list of banks to check on from time to time. Here are those articles. Top CD Rates in America Best New Jersey CD Rates Michigan CD Rates Florida Bank CD Rates Texas CD Rates California CD Rates I hope this has been helpful. My plan is to move much of the material to the site and try to keep rates up to date. I will keep you posted as that comes along. Have an awesome day. My life verse: Micah 6:8. cd :O)

The 2.00% -1year CDs have almost all but disappeared, especially in a healthy bank. Well our searching high and low has found one. Okay, its a 13-month term, but what is 30-days among friends. $100,000 minimum, $250,000 is okay, too. This bank is FDIC insured. They have a 5-star rating from Bauer. The Bank isn’t a mega-bank so not sure how long the rate will last. [Update 4/7/2010: The above rate offer has expired. I will still extend our discount offer on other purchases however.] Send us a contact request or call and mention this blog post for a 20% discount on our fee. This rate is only good for personal funds only. Other banks and credit unions aren’t allowed, sorry. Also as mentioned earlier, I’ve been busy completing articles for a 30-Day challenge. Here are some of those if you want some bedtime reading. Best CD Rates – March 2010 Update Redux Is My Bank Healthy How Much FDIC Insurance Do I have Credit Rating Agencies And not to get Biblical on you, but check-out Psalms 118:8. It is reported to be the exact middle of the Bible when it comes to number of verses before and after. It is sandwiched between the shortest chapter, Psalm 117 and the longest Psalm 119. Have a blessed day. cd :O)