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A review of CIT Bank CD rates
This online bank offers a range of terms and rates to steadily grow your savings.
If you’re on the hunt for a high rate of return on your savings, consider looking into a certificate of deposit. These fixed-rate savings accounts can pay high APYs depending on how much money you invest and how long you’re willing to tie it up.
CIT Bank offers CDs with terms from six months to five years. The interest compounds daily, but you’ll pay a hefty fee if you withdraw your money early.
1.8%
1-year APY
1.3%
3-year APY
1.7%
5-year APY
Details
| Minimum deposit to open | $1,000 |
|---|---|
| Interest compounding | Daily |
| 6-month APY | 0.72% |
| 1-year APY | 1.8% |
| 13-month APY | 1.82% |
| 18-month APY | 1.85% |
| 2-year APY | 1.4% |
| 3-year APY | 1.3% |
| 4-year APY | 1.5% |
| 5-year APY | 1.7% |
| Early withdrawal penalty | 90 days interest for terms of 1 to 12 months 180 days interest for terms of 13 to 36 months 365 days interest for terms of 37 + months |
What types of CDs does CIT Bank offer?
- Term CDs. The terms range from six months to five years, with up to 1.85% APY on an 18-month CD.
- 11-Month No-Penalty CD. Earn up to 1.8% and withdraw your full balance after seven days without penalty.
- Jumbo CDs. Earn up to 1.75% APY on balances of at least $100,000 on a CD lasting from two to five years.
Benefits of a CIT Bank CD
In addition to their wide range of terms and access to online banking tools, look for the following perks with these FDIC-insured accounts:
- No maintenance fees. There are no fees for opening or maintaining a Term CD — though you may pay a fee if you withdraw your funds early.
- Automatic renewal. CIT Bank renews your CD for the same term at your current rate.
- Interest compounded daily. With a Term CD, interest accrues every day, so you’ll earn interest on your interest. The interest is posted monthly, and you can either leave it in your CD or deposit it into another account.
- High APY. Earn up to 1.85% APY on an 18-month CD. Standard CDs with a six-month term earn 0.72% APY and generally increase for longer periods, such as 1.7% APY for five-year CDs. The national average for six-month CDs is just 0.33% APY.
What to watch out for
While CIT Bank‘s Term CDs boast flexible terms and no maintenance fees, be aware of these potential drawbacks:
- Early withdrawal penalties. Like all banks, CIT Bank charges a penalty for the early withdrawal of funds from its Term CDs. Depending on the length of your term, you’ll pay a penalty equal to three to 12 months of interest on the initial amount you deposited.
- No physical branches. CIT Bank is completely online, so there’s no way to bank in person.
- $1,000 minimum deposit. The amount is typical for national banks, but other online banks and credit unions have lower minimums.
- Rates aren’t top-of-the-line. The APY is above average, but many banks and credit unions — including those with lower minimums — earn comparable or even better CD rates. For example, a Barclays online CD with a five-year term is 2.2% APY, and you can open an account with just $1.
- Limited customer support window. The customer service center is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET on weekdays, and has shorter hours on weekends. If you need support outside of those hours, you’re limited to email, mail or the automated phone service.
Compare with other CDs
How do I open a CD?
To open a CD with CIT Bank, follow these steps to fill out your online form:
- Go to the CIT Bank website.
- On the top right-hand corner, click Open an account.
- A page will pop up asking if you’re a new or existing customer, or if you’re resuming an application. For this example, we’ll assume you’re a newbie. Press I am a new customer.
- You’ll reach the Create an account page. Click Next.
- Choose your Account Type: Personal, Product: Term CD and Term Length & APY from the dropdown boxes. The options are 6, 12, 13 or 18 months, or 2, 3, 4 or 5 years.
- Indicate whether you want an Individual or Joint account.
- Enter your personal information, date of birth, citizenship status, Social Security number and mother’s maiden name.
- Keep following the prompts to fund your deposit
.
Eligibility
To apply for a CD, you must be:
- A US Citizen or Resident Alien with a physical address, a Social Security number and a driver’s license or state-issued ID
- At least 18 years old
Required information
Have this info handy for your application:
- Your address, phone number and email
- Your Social Security number
- A valid driver’s license or state ID
- A check or the details for the bank account you’re using to fund your initial deposit
Funding options
You can fund your CD in the following ways:
- Electronic funds transfer. Transfer money from an external bank account for free. To apply for this service, you’ll need the info on a blank check from the institution holding your account. The funds may take two business days to be deposited into your CD.
- Wires. Send a wire using your CIT Bank account number and routing number, 124084834.
- Checks. Mail in a check to:
- CIT Bank, N.A.
- Attn: Deposit Services
- PO Box 7056
- Pasadena, CA 91109
How do I cash in a CD?
You’ll receive notification 30 days before your CD matures. When it reaches maturity, CIT Bank automatically renews your CD for the same term at the current rate. If you don’t want to renew your CD, you can cash it out or roll it over to another CD with a different term.
Do that, and you have two options:
- Backdate the new CD to the maturity date of your old CD and earn interest at the rate that was in effect on that date. The caveat? You can’t deposit any additional funds.
- Elect to have a new CD issued.
Timing is key, though. CIT Bank offers a 10-day grace period after the date of maturity. During that time, you can withdraw your funds without penalty by calling 855-462-2654 or sending a secure message via your online account.
If you withdraw your money outside of the grace period, you’ll have to pay a fee for early withdrawal.
How can I get in touch with customer service?
- Phone. Dial 855-462-2652 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.
- Overseas. Call 626-535-8964.
- Fax. Enter 866-914-1578.
- Email. Fill out the form on the Contact page or send a direct email to bankingforms@cit.com.
- Mail. Address mail to:
- CIT Bank, N.A.
- PO Box 7056
- Pasadena, CA 91109
Bottom line
CIT Bank’s CDs are best for an interest rate that’s compounded daily. CIT Bank’s CDs are low-maintenance and offer flexible terms and high APYs to help you to reach your savings goals. Similar to other CDs, you have the option to renew your CD, open a new one, or cash it in without penalty when the maturity date rolls around.
However, you’ll need $1,000 to open an account, which is unusual for online banks.
If you’re looking for a CD with a lower opening deposit, you’ll want to keep looking. As always, compare your options when choosing a CD.