The Rate Desk Weekly Rate Brief — August 19, 2026
I checked 19 bank and credit-union rate pages this week. Most of them did something rather helpful: nothing.
That may not make for a dramatic headline, but it is useful information for anyone wondering whether a good CD rate must be grabbed immediately. Across the cities tracked by The Rate Desk, most of the leading offers held steady.
The exception was Denver.
Credit Union of Colorado lowered all six of the CD rates we track. Its one-year rate for deposits of at least $10,000 fell from 3.60% to 3.30%. The standard one-year CD moved from 3.51% to 3.20%.
The two-year rates are now 2.70% and 2.80%, depending on the deposit tier. The three-year rates are 2.80% and 2.90%.
None of these are catastrophic changes. They are simply a reminder that a rate displayed last week is not necessarily the rate available this week—even when the product name and everything around it remain exactly the same.
Where the stronger rates are
The highest rate in our current local database is Heritage Hub Federal Credit Union’s 4.50% APY jumbo 24-month CD in Houston. It requires a $100,000 deposit, which makes the word “jumbo” rather more than decorative.
Dallas has a 15-month promotional CD from Texas Trust Credit Union paying 4.30% APY with a much lower $500 minimum.
Several 4.25% offers are also available in Jacksonville, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas and Houston. Eligibility requirements vary, particularly with credit unions, so a high number on its own does not settle the matter.
The best rate is not always the highest advertised APY. It is the highest worthwhile rate that you can actually open, with a deposit amount and term that suit you.
What I would take from this week
There is no sign in this week’s review of rates collapsing across the board. Eighteen of the 19 official sources we checked were unchanged.
But the Denver reductions show why the database is reviewed each week. Rate pages can change quietly. There is not normally an announcement, farewell ceremony or apology. One Wednesday the rate is simply lower than it was the previous Wednesday.
If you are considering a CD, confirm the current APY, term, minimum deposit, membership requirements and early-withdrawal penalty directly with the institution before opening it.
The Rate Desk currently tracks locally available offers across 15 cities. Browse the latest verified rates by city.
Rates were reviewed from official institution websites on August 19, 2026. Rates and eligibility can change without notice. The Rate Desk is not a bank or financial adviser.