The interest rates for Barclays CDs are competitive for most terms. For terms longer than 12-months, the rates are competitive with other online CDs. The interest rates for all CD accounts are much higher than typical bank rates. Barclays CDs interest rates are not tiered. Any balance in the CD earns the competitive interest rate.

Barclays offers a good variety of CD terms. The shortest term offered is a three-month term. The longest term is a 60-month term. Barclays offers a total of nine different CD terms. All the terms are entirely online CDs. Each CD term is available to open online.

There is not a set amount required to open Barclays CDs. Open any of the nine CD terms with any amount. There is not a set amount required to earn the most competitive interest rates. The only balance requirement is that you have enough money in your CD to earn $0.01 in interest.

Barclays encourages CD laddering. This means customers can earn the most competitive interest rates but with more flexibility. CD laddering is investing money in CDs varying in term length. Customers invest in multiple long term CDs. By doing this, one CD will mature each year. This gives customers more access to their money while earning competitive rates. The Barclays website offers a CD ladder calculator. This allows customers to see how to build a successful CD ladder.

The Barclays short term CDs do not offer competitive interest rates. The three, six, and nine-month CDs offer interest rates that are lower than other online banks. These rates are higher than typical bank CD rates of the same term. They are not competitive with other online CDs of the same term length.

Barclays only offers two ways to fund their CDs. Customers can fund the account through an electronic transfer or mailing in a check. If you plan to transfer the money electronically, you must link the CD with an external bank account. Barclays does not accept cash or money orders to deposit into CDs.

The easiest way to make electronic transfers into a Barclays CD is to link it to an external account. You can link up to three external accounts to your Barclays CDs. The linked accounts must be with another bank that is chartered in the United States. You can link accounts when you initially fund your CD or at a later date.

Barclays does not offer an interest rate guarantee. The interest rate you earn on your Barclays CD is the rate on the day you open your account. The interest rates on CDs are competitive with other online accounts. But, if the rates increase shortly after you open your account, Barclays does not increase the interest rate for your CD.

Read the full Barclays review.

The First Internet Bank CDs offer competitive interest rates. The rates are competitive with other online accounts. First IB CDs offer interest rates much higher than typical bank rates. All the different CD terms offer competitive interest rates.

The amount required to open First Internet Bank CDs is low. CD terms requires $1,000. That amount is low compared to some online CD accounts. With that $1,000 required amount, you can open any of the First IB CD terms.

First Internet Bank offers a good variety of CD terms. The terms range from 3-months to 60-month CDs. They offer a total of eight CD account terms. All the CD terms are online CDs. You can apply for any term length online through the First IB website.

First Internet Bank offers a variety of ways to fund the CD. You can deposit money through an ACH transaction or deposit a check. You can set up a linked external account and make an electronic transfer. You can also send a wire or use a credit card for the initial funding of the CD. They do not accept third party checks.

First IB charges a fee for withdrawing money before the maturity date. The fees are high compared to other CD accounts. For three-month terms, the fee is 90 days of interest. For terms from 6-months to 18-months, the fee is 180 days of interest. The fee for CD terms from 24-months to 60-months is 360 days of interest.

First Internet Bank may charge a fee based on how you choose to receive your money from closed CDs. There is not a fee if you deposit the money into your First IB checking or savings account. If you request a check when you close your account, there is a $5 fee per check.

When you apply for an account, First IB must approve your account application. Once you complete the application, they will review your application. If you are approved, First IB sends an email within two business days after they review your account. If you already have a savings or checking account with First IB you do not need approval again.

First Internet Bank does not allow you to transfer money out of your CD accounts. They offer a fund transfer service, but their CD accounts are not eligible. Other First IB accounts charge a $5 fee to transfer money from a First IB account to an external account.

Read the full First Internet Bank of Indiana review.