If you want to invest in new issue certificates of deposit—also known as CDs—consider buying them through Vanguard Brokerage instead of shopping at various banks.
Through Vanguard Brokerage Services, you can shop for CDs from banks across the country, giving you a wide range of options and competitive rates. Plus, you’ll have the convenience of holding all your investments, including CDs, in one account.
We making buying CDs through our website easy.
Start by logging on to your account at vanguard.com and navigating to the brokerage account you want to buy a CD in. Then, click “Trade bonds or CDs” from the “Buy and sell” dropdown menu for your brokerage holdings.
On the “Find CDs and bonds” screen, you can choose from a wide range of maturities from 1 month to 10 years. The rates you see are the highest rates available for that specific maturity.
Click the percentage rate under your desired maturity to see our list of CDs for that term.
On the next screen, you’ll see several CDs sorted by interest rate, with the highest rate at the top of the list.
Click the bank name, or “Buy” link, to see details for that CD.
You’ll then see a full product description, including the CD’s maturity, issuing bank, coupon dates, and payment frequency. For more information on CDs, or the terms used on this page, click “Glossary” or “Learn more about certificates of deposits.”
If you’re ready to invest, click “Buy” on the upper-right side of the screen.
On the “Buy order” screen, review your order information and read and agree to the terms in the shaded box.
Next, enter the quantity of CDs you’d like to buy. Keep in mind that new issue CDs are sold in $1,000 increments. Therefore, if you buy 10 CDs, you’re investing $10,000, which is the Vanguard Brokerage minimum purchase for CDs.
If you’re investing more than $250,000 in CDs, consider buying CDs from multiple banks. Since each bank carries FDIC insurance, you can get up to $250,000 in coverage at each bank you buy a CD from.
Click “Calculate” to update your order details. If you’re ready to proceed, click “Continue.”
Finally, you’ll see a summary of your order information on the “Review and submit” screen. It’s important to ensure that all the information is correct and you’ve read and understand all the important information on the page before you submit your order.
That’s it. You’ve placed your order. You’ll see your order number on the “Order summary” screen.
You can check on your purchase in the “Order status” area of the website. Your order is complete when it’s “executed.”
You will own, and pay for, your CDs on the settlement date.
If you need help buying a CD or building a CD ladder, just call a Vanguard Brokerage specialist at 800-669-0514. Thank you for investing with us.
Important information:
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.
All CDs are federally insured up to $250,000 per depositor per bank. For additional details regarding coverage eligibility, visit fdic.gov
Vanguard Brokerage Services (VBS) has provided availability to the Alternative Trading Systems operated by Tradeweb Markets LLC (“Tradeweb”) and to other content provided by Tradeweb. Tradeweb provides access to certain municipal bond information from DPC Data. Tradeweb and DPC Data are third parties and are not affiliated with VBS. While VBS provides access to Tradeweb’s Alternative Trading Systems, VBS has no control over actions taken by Tradeweb.
Vanguard funds not held in a brokerage account are held by The Vanguard Group, Inc., and aren’t protected by SIPC.
Brokerage assets are held by Vanguard Brokerage Services, a division of Vanguard Marketing Corporation (VMC), member FINRA and SIPC.
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