You can open all CalFirst CDs terms online. You can complete the entire application through the CalFirst website. There is also the option to apply by calling customer service or mailing in an application.

The shorter-term CDs offer more competitive rates than long-term CDs. The rates are more competitive with online CDs than long-term CDs. The short-term CDs include a three month and six-month term.

Customers can choose how to receive interest payments. You can have the money credited to your CD or another CalFirst account. You can have the money transferred into another bank account, or have the interest mailed to you in a check. Interest will credit to your account monthly.

Customers can choose how to receive interest payments. You can have the money credited to your CD or another CalFirst account. You can have the money transferred into another bank account, or have the interest mailed to you in a check. Interest will credit to your account monthly.

The initial amount required to open CalFirst CDs is high. Each of the standard CD terms requires $5,000 to open. You must keep that amount in the CD to earn interest. To open IRA CDs and earn interest requires a balance of $2,000.

There is a limited amount of CD terms offered through CalFirst. There are five CD terms available. Those terms range from three months to three years. CalFirst provides CD terms as standard CDs or IRA CDs. All terms can be opened online.

CalFirst CD interest rates are low. They are not competitive with online CD rates. These rates are competitive with typical bank rates. CalFirst rates are not tiered. Any balance over the opening amounts earns the rates listed on the website.

There are only two early withdrawal fees for CalFirst CDs. For terms less than one year, the fee is 90-days of interest. For CD terms 12-months or longer, the fee is 180-days of interest. If you withdraw money early, you must pay that amount of interest even if you have not earned it.

Read the full California First National Bank review.

The Comenity Direct CDs offer competitive interest rates on each of their CD terms. The interest rates are competitive with other online accounts. These rates are much higher than typical bank rates. The rates are not tiered. Any amount over $1,500 earns competitive rates.

Comenity Direct encourages CD laddering. CD laddering is when you open one five-year CD each year. Your money earns competitive interest rates offered by five-year CDs. By opening one each year, one renews each year. This allows you access to your money every year without an early withdrawal penalty.

The CDs with Comenity Direct have low opening required amounts. They each need only $1,500 to open. Once you fund the CD, your money starts earning interest immediately.

Each of the CDs offered through Comenity Direct can be opened online. This is an entirely online bank. You open your account online and take care of all your banking needs online. They offer a website as well as a mobile app to access your accounts.

The opening required amount to fund Comenity Direct CDs requires $1,500. This amount must be deposited in one transaction. You cannot make that deposit through multiple transactions.

Comenity Direct offers online CDs. There are limited CD terms available. They offer one, two, three, four, and five-year terms. Open each of the Comenity Direct CDs entirely online.

The Comenity Direct CDs do not offer an interest rate guarantee. The interest rates on each of the CDs are competitive. But, if the rates increase shortly after opening the CD, your interest rates will not increase.

Customer service hours for Comenity Direct are not 24/7. They do offer extended customer service hours. They are open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call customer service or send an email. There are no branch locations.

Read the full Comenity Direct review.