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Fidelity CDs review
Diversify your savings and take an investor approach to CDs with this brokerage giant.
finder.com’s rating: 3.1 / 5.0
★★★★★
Fidelity CDs offer investments in a portfolio of products — something banks don’t do. And they’re available on the secondary market. But be careful with the added complexity because trades could be subject to fees. And it’s highest CD rate at 0.9%, is only available on its five-year CD.
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0.1%
1-year APY
0.35%
3-year APY
0.9%
5-year APY
Details
| Star rate | 3.1 |
|---|---|
| 3-month APY | 0.02% |
| 6-month APY | 0.05% |
| 1-year APY | 0.1% |
| 2-year APY | 0.2% |
| 3-year APY | 0.35% |
| 4-year APY | 0.55% |
| 5-year APY | 0.9% |
| Early withdrawal penalty | Early withdrawal penalty not advertised |
| Minimum deposit to open | $1,000 |
| Interest compounding | Monthly |
Review by
Katia Iervasi
katia.iervasi@finder.comKatia Iervasi is a staff writer who hails from Australia and now calls New York home. Her writing and analysis has been featured on sites like Forbes, Best Company and Financial Advisor around the world. Armed with a BA in Communication and a journalistic eye for detail, she navigates insurance and finance topics for Finder, so you can splash your cash smartly (and be a pro when the subject pops up at dinner parties).
Expert review
Fidelity’s CDs are ideal for those who want to approach CDs as investments, rather than straight savings products. If you’re comfortable with risk, you’ll appreciate the access to a wide variety of CDs, and the ability to sell your CDs on the secondary market. But if you prefer predictability, Fidelity might not be the right fit.How do I open a Fidelity CDs?
First, you’ll need to set up a free account with Fidelity. The quickest way to do this is online:
- Go to the provider’s site and follow the steps to apply.
- From the Fidelity website, click Open an Account.
- Choose the brokerage or retirement account that suits your needs.
- Decide between an Individual or Joint account.
- Fill out the form with your personal, contact, citizenship and employment details.
- Continue following the prompts to fund the account.
If you already have an account with Fidelity, you’re a step ahead. Here’s what to do:
- Head to the Fidelity website and hover over Investment Products.
- Select Fixed Income, Bonds & CDs.
- On the left-hand side of the page, click Certificates of Deposit (CDs).
- Scroll down and press Find CDs.
- From there, you’ll be able to browse the selection.
Eligibility
To open a CD, you must be:
- At least 18 years old.
- A US Citizen or Resident Alien with a physical address, Social Security number or Taxpayer ID number, and a driver’s license or state-issued ID.
- Able to make the $1,000 minimum deposit.
Required information
To speed up the process, have this info handy:
- Mailing address, email address and phone number
- Social Security number or Taxpayer ID number
- Employer’s name and address, if applicable
Benefits of a Fidelity CD
These are the stand-out features of Fidelity’s CDs:
- Consistent minimum deposit. Whether you’re opening a three-month or a five-year CD, the minimum to open is $1,000.
- Auto Roll Program. Renew your CDs automatically for another term at your current rate. The program also allows for early withdrawals.
- Ability to create a CD ladder. While Fidelity has a limited range of CD lengths, you could ladder multiple CDs and benefit from regular payouts.
- No trading fees for new issue CDs. Investors can access between 50 to 100 new issue offerings at any time, and don’t have to pay a trading fee to purchase them. Secondary CD sales incur a fee of $ per CD.
- 24/7 customer service. Reach a rep around the clock by calling 800-972-2155.
- Easy account signup. It’s free to open a brokerage or retirement account with Fidelity, and there are no monthly maintenance fees or minimum deposits.
What to watch out for
Every CD has its limitations. These drawbacks may matter to you:
- Low rates. The rates are lower than the competition. If you want to take advantage of its highest rate at 0.9%, you’ll need to open its five-year CD.
- High minimum deposit. You’ll need to set aside at least $1,000 to open a Fidelity CD. This figure is standard for larger banks, but you can find lower deposit minimums elsewhere.
- Limited options. With just seven terms available, Fidelity doesn’t have the widest range of CDs.
- Trading fees. If you choose to buy or sell a brokered CD on the secondary market, they’re subject to fees.
- Footnote on early withdrawal funds. If you need to make an early withdrawal, the firm will obtain the funds “as soon as possible” – but they can’t advance the funds or guarantee that payment will be made by a specific date.
You may want to look into other options if the pros and cons aren’t quite balanced for your financial needs. You can learn more and compare providers with our guide to CDs.
Compare with other CDs
Funding options
- You can deposit funds into your account via a bank or brokerage.
- If you’re transferring money from a bank, you’ll need an account number and routing number.
- If you’re moving assets from another brokerage firm, you’ll need a brokerage account number and account type.
How do I cash in a CD?
Fidelity CDs automatically convert to cash on their maturity date. The brokerage will roll the CD over into your core position on that day. You also have the option to sell the CD on the open market before it matures.How can I get in touch with customer service?
You can reach Fidelity’s customer service team in the following ways:
- Phone. Call 800-544-5372 during business hours, or dial 800-343-3548 at any time.
- Live chat. Get real-time help from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Email. Head to the Contact Us page to send a secure message. You can expect a response within three to five business days.
- In person. Pop into an Investor Center. To find one near you, search by city, state or ZIP code on Fidelity’s website.
What other savings products does Fidelity offer?
Fidelity has a Cash Management Account to complement its investment products. Like a traditional checking account, it offers a free debit card, access to BillPay, and check writing privileges. You can manage your money online, and there are no account fees, ATM fees or minimum balances. It’s FDIC-insured up to $1.25 million — which is five times more coverage than the typical bank.Frequently asked questions
CDs ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
We rate CDs and share certificates on a scale ranging from one to five stars based on what matters most to you. We consider two factors equally when rating CDs: minimum deposits and annual percentage yields (APYs) relative to term length. If a bank requires a different minimum opening deposit depending on the chosen term, we rate the CD based on the average minimum deposit across all terms. And although some institutions offer CDs with terms ranging from one week to 20 years, we only consider term lengths the FDIC uses in its monthly updates on national rates.
Read the full methodology of how we rate CDs.