5 Best Business CD Rates for Small Businesses in 2026

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Rayanne Harmon

Senior Staff Writer - Finance at Fit Small Business

To build this list of the best business CD rates, I focused on banks offering business certificates of deposit with competitive yields, practical term options, and opening requirements that small businesses can meet. My goal was to identify accounts that can help business owners earn more on cash reserves while choosing a term that aligns with their expected cash flow needs.

Each provider was evaluated using consistent criteria that reflect how business owners compare CDs when deciding where to deposit their funds, including the following categories:

Rates and earning potential: I compared current business CD rates across multiple term lengths, focusing on the available APY and whether the rate was clearly published on the provider’s website.

Term options: I reviewed the range of available terms, from short-term CDs to multiyear options, and considered whether businesses could match the account’s maturity date to their financial plans.

Minimum opening deposit: I evaluated how much each bank requires to open an account, giving preference to CDs that are accessible to small businesses without requiring a large initial deposit.

Fees and early withdrawal penalties: I reviewed monthly maintenance fees, early withdrawal penalties, and other conditions that could reduce a business’s earnings or limit access to its money.

Account accessibility: I considered whether the CD can be opened and managed online, whether branch assistance is available, and how easily businesses can manage maturity and renewal instructions.

Business eligibility and account features: I reviewed eligible business structures, documentation requirements, authorized signer options, interest-payment choices, automatic renewal policies, and other features that may affect whether an account is a practical fit.

I verified rates, terms, and account requirements using each bank’s official website. Since CD rates can change without notice and some providers adjust rates by location, businesses should confirm the current APY and account terms before opening an account.

I chose Live Oak Bank as the best overall option because it combines a competitive yield with straightforward terms and convenient online management. Its one-year business CD currently earns 4.15% APY, one of the strongest short-term yields among the providers I reviewed. Live Oak also clearly publishes its early withdrawal penalties and charges no online banking or monthly interest disbursement fees.

The $2,500 minimum opening deposit is higher than that of several competitors, but it may still be manageable for established businesses with cash reserves they will not need during the CD term. Business owners can open the account online, manage renewal preferences digitally, and receive monthly interest payments at no additional charge. These features make Live Oak a strong choice for businesses comparing the best business CD rates without needing branch access.

Consider an alternative if you want to open a CD with less than $2,500 or prefer in-person banking. First Internet Bank and TAB Bank require only $1,000 to open a business CD, while EverBank requires $1,500. TAB Bank may also be a better fit if you can commit your funds for several years and want a higher long-term yield.

U.S. Bank may be the better option if you value physical branches or want specialty choices such as Step Up or Trade Up CDs. If your business may need the money before the CD matures, consider a business savings or money market account instead. Withdrawing money early from a Live Oak CD results in a penalty of 90 days’ simple interest for terms under 24 months or 180 days’ simple interest for longer terms.

I chose TAB Bank because it offers some of the best business CD rates for companies that can commit their funds for several years. Its 36-, 48-, and 60-month business CDs earn up to 4.20% APY, while its 24-month CD earns 4.15% APY. 

All listed terms require only $1,000 to open, making these longer-term CDs accessible to businesses that may not have a large amount of cash to deposit.

TAB Bank is a technology-driven online bank and Member FDIC. Business owners can open and manage a CD online, and there is no monthly maintenance fee. The longer terms can work well for businesses saving for a future expansion, equipment purchase, or another planned expense with a predictable timeline.

Choose an alternative if your business cannot leave its money untouched for at least 12 months. Live Oak Bank offers terms as short as three months and currently pays 4.15% APY on a one-year CD, making it a better option for businesses that want a shorter commitment.

First Internet Bank also offers terms beginning at three months with a $1,000 opening deposit. If you prefer branch assistance or want options such as a Step Up or Trade Up CD, consider U.S. Bank. A business savings or money market account may be more appropriate if you need regular access to your cash reserves.

I chose First Internet Bank because it makes opening and managing a business CD convenient for owners who prefer digital banking. Its six-month CD advertises 3.76% APY, and businesses can open an account with $1,000. 

The bank offers terms ranging from three months to five years, giving businesses several ways to match a CD’s maturity date to a planned purchase or other financial goal.

First Internet Bank also provides CD Self-Service through online banking. Account holders can renew or redeem a maturing CD or transfer a portion of the funds without relying entirely on phone or branch assistance. This digital functionality helps distinguish the bank from other providers offering competitive business CD rates.

Choose an alternative if earning the highest available APY matters more than short-term options and online self-service. Live Oak Bank currently pays 4.15% APY on a one-year CD, while TAB Bank offers up to 4.20% APY on CDs with terms of three years or longer.

First Internet Bank may also be a poor fit if you prefer in-person banking because it has no physical branches. U.S. Bank offers branch and banker assistance, while EverBank may be a better option if you want a wide range of terms and a 20-day maturity alert. 

If you may need regular access to the funds, consider a business savings or money market account instead.

I chose EverBank because it offers one of the broadest selections of business CD terms among the providers reviewed. Businesses can choose from terms ranging from three months to five years, making it easier to match the maturity date to a planned purchase, expansion, or other financial goal. Its six-month CD currently earns 3.70% APY, and there is no monthly maintenance fee.

EverBank also offers a Business CDARS CD for companies that need to protect deposits exceeding the standard FDIC insurance limit. Through the IntraFi network, eligible deposits can be distributed among participating banks, providing access to FDIC coverage on millions of dollars while allowing the business to work through one banking relationship. This makes EverBank particularly useful for companies comparing business CD rates while managing larger cash reserves.

Choose an alternative if earning the highest available yield is your priority. Live Oak Bank currently offers 4.15% APY on a one-year CD, while TAB Bank offers up to 4.20% APY for terms of three years or longer. First Internet Bank also has a lower $1,000 opening requirement and provides more direct online CD self-service tools.

U.S. Bank may be a better choice if you want branch or banker assistance. If your cash flow is unpredictable or you may need the money before maturity, consider a business savings or money market account instead of a CD. Those accounts generally provide easier access to your funds, although their rates are variable.

I chose U.S. Bank because it provides branch and banker support along with more CD structures than the other providers reviewed. In addition to its Standard and Special CDs, the bank offers Jumbo, Step Up, and Trade Up options. These choices can help businesses find a structure that aligns with their deposit size, timeline, and expectations about future interest rates.

The $500 minimum for a Standard CD is also the lowest opening requirement on this list. U.S. Bank does not publish one nationwide APY because its business CD rates vary by ZIP code, term, deposit amount, and CD type. However, it may still be a strong choice for business owners who value personal assistance and want to manage multiple banking products with one established bank.

Choose an alternative if you want to open and manage your CD entirely online or compare a clearly published national APY. Live Oak Bank, TAB Bank, First Internet Bank, and EverBank all publish specific rates on their business CD pages. Live Oak currently offers a competitive one-year yield, while TAB Bank may be more attractive for businesses seeking a higher long-term rate.

U.S. Bank may also be less convenient if you do not live near one of its branches, although virtual and phone assistance are available. If your business may need access to its reserves before the CD matures, consider a business savings or money market account instead. These accounts generally provide greater liquidity without an early withdrawal penalty.