Fact check: Best 6 mo or 12 mo CD rates

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, the best CD rates for 6-month and 12-month terms vary slightly across different financial institutions and sources:

6-Month CD Rates:

• 4.60% APY from Connexus Credit Union for a 7-month term ^[1]
• 4.50% APY from Northern Bank Direct for a 6-month term ^[2]
• 4.45% APY from Morgan Stanley Private Bank for a 6-month term ^[3]

12-Month CD Rates:

• 4.50% APY from multiple credit unions and institutions including HUSTL Digital Credit Union ^{[4] [1]}
• 4.25% APY from Morgan Stanley Private Bank for a 12-month term ^[3]

The analyses indicate that CD rates have stabilized in 2025 after declining in 2024 due to Federal Reserve interest rate reductions ^[2]. The top rates are nearly 2.8 times the national average for 12-month CDs ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original query lacks several important contextual factors that potential CD investors should consider:

• Early withdrawal penalties - not mentioned in the query but highlighted as a crucial factor in choosing CDs ^[3]
• Different types of CDs available beyond standard terms, including special promotional CDs like the ten-month CD from United Fidelity Bank at 4.50% APY ^[3]
• Credit union vs. bank offerings - credit unions appear to offer some of the most competitive rates ^{[1] [4]}
• Rate determination factors and how they're influenced by Federal Reserve policy changes ^[1]
• Pros and cons of CD investments as an overall investment strategy ^[1]

Financial institutions benefit from promoting their highest rates to attract deposits, while consumers benefit from understanding the complete picture including fees, penalties, and minimum deposit requirements that weren't addressed in the original query.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement contains no misinformation as it's simply a question seeking information rather than making claims. However, there are potential areas where bias could emerge:

• Rate shopping without context - focusing solely on the highest advertised rates without considering the institution's reliability, FDIC insurance status, or terms and conditions
• Timing bias - the analyses show rates from different time periods (some from May 2025, others from August 2025), which could lead to outdated information being presented as current ^[2]
• Institutional bias - different financial publications may have relationships with certain banks or credit unions that could influence their rate reporting and recommendations

The query would benefit from specifying the desired timeframe and including questions about fees, minimum deposits, and early withdrawal penalties to get a complete picture of CD offerings.