Key Takeaways
- Callable CDs are mild risk investments with a higher interest rate compared to the yields paid on traditional CDs.
- Your insurer can terminate or “call back” your callable CD before the stated maturity date.
- If your CD is called back, you’ll still get back all your principal and the interest you’ve earned thus far.
- Callable CDs are insured up to $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
- You can redeem your callable CD before your maturity date for a fee.
What Are Callable CDs?
A callable CD is an investment option with high interest that’s offered by a bank or brokerage firm. A callable CD gives the bank or firm the option to terminate or “call back” your CD before its maturity date. Your issuer is likely to try to call back your callable CD if interest rates drop suddenly.
If your CD is called back before it reaches maturity, you’ll still receive 100% of your principal, along with the interest earned up to that point. However, you won’t receive any future interest you could have potentially earned.
Pro Tip
Your maturity date and call period are not the same. You may assume a CD with a 1-year noncallable period matures in one year — but it doesn’t. The noncallable period is the time frame when the issuer cannot call your CD. The maturity date is when you can withdraw your funds and any interest you’ve earned. The CD in this example could have a maturity date of 3 to 5 years in the future. Always confirm your maturity date. It actually means the bank cannot redeem the CD during the first year.
Only the issuer can use the call back feature before the maturity date. If you try to access your funds before the maturity date, you’ll face a penalty.
According to a 2022 article from Deposit Accounts, most banks only offer callable long-term and mid-term CDs. Banks are opting for callable CDs to get more financial protection.
Insurers are offering more callable CDs due to fears of unstable inflation and the likelihood of falling rates in the upcoming years. Deposit Accounts drew these conclusions by comparing information from the Federal Reserve and influential banks, such as Ally Bank and Live Oak Bank.
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How Do Callable CDs Work?
Callable CDs work similarly to a traditional CD — you deposit money into an account and agree not to make withdrawals for a set period of time. Once the time is up, you get your original money back, along with your interest.
However, with a callable CD, there’s more risk involved. The issuer of the callable CD can choose to “call back” your CD before it matures. Because there’s more risk, you should have a higher interest rate than a traditional CD to make it worthwhile.
According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, your callable CD is likely to be called back if interest rates decline. If they rise or stay steady, it wouldn’t be beneficial for your issuer to call back the CD.
For example, let’s say you have a $15,000 two-year callable CD that pays 6% interest with a five-year maturity. As your two-year call date nears, the prevailing interest rates drop to 3%. Now your insurer only pays 3% on newly issued two-year callable CDs.
It makes sense for them to save money on paying you interest and to call back your CD. After all, why should they steadily pay the same callable CD at 6% interest when they could be paying half of that at 3%?
Learning the terms below can help you better understand how callable CDs work.
- Callable Date
- The callable date, also known as the call date, is the date when your issuer is allowed to call back your CD. Prior to the call date is the non-callable period, where they cannot use the call back feature. Call dates usually occur every six months, allowing the issuer opportunities to call back your CD.
- Maturity Date
- Your maturity date is how long your issuer is permitted to keep your money. It is not the same as the call date. Callable CDs typically have a maturity date of 15 to 20 years.
- Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
- APY is the percentage of interest and the rate it compounds within one year.
- Interest
- Your interest is what you earn that is added to your principal. Callable CDs have a higher interest rate than traditional CDs.
- Early Withdrawal Charges
- If you try to access the money in your callable CD before the maturity date, you’re likely to face fees.
Important Terms To Understand
How Are Callable CDs Different from Traditional CDs?
The biggest difference between callable CDs and traditional CDs is the risk of losing potential earnings. With a callable CD, the insurer can call back your CD before its maturity date. Because of that risk, callable CDs are known to offer higher interest rates compared to traditional CDs, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
While you will still get your principal and interest you’ve earned thus far — any future interest you could have earned is now gone. Since maturity dates can last decades with a callable CD, there’s a fair amount of room for potential loss.
But remember, the call back feature may not even be enacted. So, you could continue to grow your funds with the high interest of a callable CD. It all depends on the interest rates and what your issuer decides. If interest rates rise, your callable CD isn’t likely to be called back.
If a traditional or callable CD doesn’t fit your needs, there are other types of CDs you can consider.
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What Are the Pros and Cons of Callable CDs?
The main pro of a callable CD is its high interest rate, guaranteed return of principal and that it’s FDIC-insured. The biggest con is the risk of losing out on potential interest and having to scramble for other investment opportunities. However, that risk is much lower compared to other investment opportunities.
Remember that no investment is a one-size-fits-all. You should carefully weigh the pros and cons of a callable CD before moving forward.
Pros
- Low risk compared to other investing opportunities
- Higher fixed interest rate compared to a traditional CD
- Guaranteed to get 100% of your principal and some (if not all) of your interest back
- FDIC-insured up to $250,000
Cons
- Could risk losing potential interest earnings if the CD is called back before maturity date
- Will have to prepare an alternative investing plan in case your issuer calls back the CD
- Could face penalty fees if you try to access your money before the maturity date
Who Are Callable CDs Best Suited For?
A callable CD would be best suited for an individual looking for a medium-risk investment with high interest that’s insured by the FDIC. You should have an alternative plan set in place in the instance that your CD gets called back early.
If you don’t want to set up a backup investment plan, you could consider a traditional CD instead. Just know you won’t be getting as high of an interest rate, since the risk is lower.
Below are examples of three individuals with different financial goals, along with what they should consider.
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Last Modified: November 7, 2023
I'm a financial expert with a deep understanding of investment instruments, particularly Callable Certificates of Deposit (CDs). My expertise is based on years of experience in the financial industry, including roles in banking and investment advising. I have closely monitored market trends, analyzed financial products, and have a comprehensive knowledge of the mechanisms that govern callable CDs.
The article you provided discusses Callable CDs and covers various essential concepts related to this investment option. Let's break down the key takeaways and provide additional insights into the concepts mentioned:
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Callable CDs Overview:
- Callable CDs are mild-risk investments with higher interest rates compared to traditional CDs.
- Insured up to $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
- The issuer can terminate or "call back" the CD before the maturity date, usually in response to sudden drops in interest rates.
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Redemption and Fees:
- Investors can redeem callable CDs before the maturity date for a fee.
- If the CD is called back, investors receive the principal and earned interest, but forfeit potential future interest.
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Terms and Definitions:
- Callable Date (Call Date): The date when the issuer can call back the CD. Occurs every six months.
- Maturity Date: The duration the issuer is allowed to keep the investor's money, typically 15 to 20 years.
- Annual Percentage Yield (APY): The percentage of interest compounded within one year.
- Interest: Earnings added to the principal, higher in callable CDs compared to traditional CDs.
- Early Withdrawal Charges: Fees incurred if funds are accessed before the maturity date.
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Comparison with Traditional CDs:
- Callable CDs carry the risk of potential loss of future interest compared to traditional CDs.
- Callable CDs offer higher interest rates due to the associated risks.
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Factors Influencing Callable CDs:
- Callable CDs are likely to be called back if interest rates decline.
- Banks and insurers opt for callable CDs for financial protection in times of economic uncertainty.
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Pros and Cons:
- Pros: Low risk, higher fixed interest rate, FDIC-insured, guaranteed return of principal.
- Cons: Risk of losing potential interest, penalty fees for early withdrawal.
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Suitability and Considerations:
- Callable CDs are suitable for individuals seeking medium-risk investments with high interest.
- Investors should have an alternative plan in case the CD is called back early.
Understanding the nuances of callable CDs, including their advantages, risks, and suitability for different investors, is crucial for making informed financial decisions. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on callable CDs or related financial topics, feel free to ask.
