CD Rate Comparison: Chase, Bank of America, Citibank Yields as of March 5, 2026

Chase leads the major banks with its featured 3-month CD rate of 3.50% APY, rising to 4.00% for jumbo deposits. This is the highest among the three featured institutions. Bank of America offers a 7-month CD at 3.25% APY, while Citibank's 5-month CD matches Chase's standard rate at 3.50% APY, with a 3.70% jumbo option.

These rates from established banks are solid, but they face stiff competition from digital-first lenders. The most competitive market yields are around 4.15% APY from institutions like Northern Bank Direct and Bread Savings on short terms. This gap highlights the trade-off between the familiarity and convenience of a big bank CD and the higher yields often found online.

For now, the featured Chase CD remains the top pick among the three, but savers seeking maximum return must look beyond traditional branch networks. The landscape shows a clear hierarchy: digital banks offer the highest yields, major banks like Chase provide competitive featured terms, and others like Bank of America and Citibank trail slightly.

The Relationship Premium: A Flow Analysis

Chase's strategy is clear: prioritize deposit flow from existing customers. Its highest rates are exclusively for those with a linked checking account, creating a direct retention incentive. This relationship-based model is the core of its CD offering.

The 3-month term exemplifies this. The featured rate is 3.50% APY for balances under $100,000, but jumps to 4.00% APY for those over $100,000. That's a 0.50% premium for larger, stickier deposits. This isn't about broad market competitiveness; it's about locking in high-value customers.

By funneling its best yields to relationship holders, Chase prioritizes customer stickiness and predictable deposit flows over attracting new, non-relationship savers. The math is simple: retain a large checking customer, and they become a source of low-cost, long-term deposits.

Catalysts and Risks: The Yield Curve Ahead

The primary catalyst for the current rate gap is future Federal Reserve policy. The central bank has already cut its benchmark rate three times in 2025, and another reduction would likely pressure all CD rates lower. This sets the broad market trajectory for yields across both major and digital banks.

The key risk for major banks like Chase is deposit flight. If the gap with higher-yielding digital competitors persists, large, relationship-dependent deposits could migrate to institutions offering rates as high as 4.15% APY. This would threaten the very flow of sticky, low-cost deposits that Chase's relationship model is built to capture.

Investors should watch for promotional 'featured terms' from major banks, which can temporarily close the gap on specific short maturities. Chase's own 3-month featured rate of 4.00% APY demonstrates this strategy. These offers are tactical moves to defend deposit share, but their sustainability depends on the broader rate environment.