Certificates of Deposit - How They Work

When you purchase a Certificate of Deposit (CD) you are actually loaning a specific amount of money to some financial institution, whether it be a bank, a credit union, or even a broker, for a specified length of time. This allows them to use your money for such things as consumer loans or security investments. In return, they pay you interest on the amount that you loan them. It is very similar to a savings account with the exception that you can not withdraw your money any time you want. This all sounds cut and dry but there is more to Certificates of deposit than meets the eye.

When you purchase a CD you will be required to invest a minimum amount that will be determined by the issuing company. You can choose from three month, a six-month, a one-year or a five-year term. Once it matures or reaches the end of its term, you can either withdraw your money plus any interest earned, renew it, or roll your money over to a higher interest CD. The risk associated with this type of investment is fairly low because in most cases the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) will insure it.

Certificates of Deposit are available with both fixed and variable interest rates although a fixed rate is more common. The actual interest rates will vary according to the type of CD, the investment amount, the chosen term, and the company that it is purchased from. If you are wise, you will go after the highest interest rate possible in order to maximize the return on your investment. In many cases, you can get a higher interest rate just for choosing a longer term CD because the issuing company is able to use your money for an extended period of time, which means they make more money.

Pay close attention to the maturity date on your certificate of deposit otherwise you could pay dearly in the end. If you can not afford to have your money tied up for the duration then you may want to rethink your options. If you withdraw your money early you will be charged a penalty. If you do not claim the funds from a matured CD within the time frame set forth by the issuing company, you could be charged a penalty for that too or even worse, it could be renewed automatically which will tie your money up even longer.

Certificates of Deposit are a great way to safely invest your money while earning a modest return on it. Sure, you can earn interest on a Savings account but it will be at much lower rate and it is too easy to withdraw money from it. As with any investment just make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Evaluate your finances to make certain that you can afford it and read the terms and conditions carefully. It is not a wise investment if it ends up costing you more in the end.

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