Marcus vs. Bread Savings CDs: Which Pays More by Term?

Marcus by Goldman Sachs and Bread Savings are two online banks with CD rates well above what big branch banks pay. Marcus pays one flat rate from 12 months to 6 years. Bread prices each term separately, so the winner changes depending on how long you want to lock your money away.

Marcus vs. Bread CDs at a glance

	Marcus High Yield CD	Bread Savings CD
12 month APY	4.40%	4.45%
Best APY	4.40% (12 months to 6 years)	4.85% (18 months)
Rates as of	Oct 28, 2026	Oct 28, 2026
Terms	6 months to 6 years	3 months to 5 years
Minimum deposit	$500	$1,500 (maximum $1 million)
Early withdrawal penalty	90 days (1 year or less); 180 days (over 1 year to 5 years); 270 days (over 5 years)	90 days (under 1 year); 180 days (12 months to 3 years); 365 days (4 and 5 years)
At maturity	10 day grace period, then renews	Renews automatically at the base rate then in effect
Extras	10 day rate guarantee; 24/7 phone support	3 month term; maximum of $1 million per CD
FDIC insured bank	Goldman Sachs Bank USA (certificate 33124)	Comenity Capital Bank (certificate 57570)
BankingPicks score	4.6 / 5	4.4 / 5

CD rates change often for new deposits. Once you open a CD, your rate is fixed for the term.

CD rates by term

Term	Marcus APY	Bread APY
3 months	Not offered	3.95%
6 months	3.95%	4.05%
9 months	4.30%	4.40%
12 months	4.40%	4.45%
18 months	4.40%	4.85%
2 years	4.40%	4.55%
3 years	4.40%	4.60%
4 years	4.40%	4.65%
5 years	4.40%	4.70%
6 years	4.40%	Not offered

Marcus rates as of Oct 15, 2026, from the Marcus website. Bread rates accurate as of Oct 15, 2026, from the Bread Savings website. Rates can change before you open and fund a CD.

Which pays more for 1 year?

Bread: 4.45% APY vs. 4.40% APY at Marcus. On $10,000, that is about $445 of interest at Bread vs. about $440 at Marcus over 12 months. The gap is small, and Marcus needs only $500 to open instead of $1,500.

Which pays more for shorter terms?

Bread. It pays 4.05% on 6 months and 4.40% on 9 months, vs. 3.95% and 4.30% at Marcus. Bread also offers a 3 month CD at 3.95%, which Marcus does not. On $10,000, a 9 month CD earns about $328 at Bread vs. about $321 at Marcus. The gap is small, so the $1,500 minimum at Bread may matter more than the rate.

Which pays more for 18 months to 3 years?

Bread. It pays 4.85% on 18 months vs. 4.40% at Marcus, worth about $69 more on $10,000. It also pays 4.55% on 2 years and 4.60% on 3 years, vs. 4.40% at Marcus.

Both charge 180 days of interest on terms in this range, so the penalty does not change the pick.

Which pays more for 4 and 5 years?

Bread, by a little. Bread pays 4.65% on 4 years and 4.70% on 5 years, vs. 4.40% at Marcus. On $10,000 held for 5 years, that is about $2,582 of interest at Bread vs. about $2,402 at Marcus, a difference of about $180.

But the penalty gap is big. Bread charges 365 days of simple interest to break a 4 or 5 year CD early. Marcus charges 180 days on terms up to 5 years. On a $10,000, 5 year CD, that is roughly $470 at Bread vs. about $212 at Marcus. If there is any real chance you will need the money early, Marcus is the safer pick for long terms. See our guide to CD early withdrawal penalties.

What about terms longer than 5 years?

Only Marcus offers a 6 year CD, at 4.40% APY. Bread’s longest term is 5 years.

What is the Marcus rate guarantee?

If Marcus raises the rate on your CD term within 10 days of opening, you get the higher rate automatically, as long as you deposit at least $500 within those 10 days. Bread does not advertise a similar guarantee.

What happens when the CD matures?

Marcus gives you a 10 day grace period to withdraw or change terms before the CD renews. Bread renews your CD automatically at the base rate in effect at that time, which may be lower than its advertised rates. At either bank, set a reminder a week before maturity and compare rates on our best CD rates page before you let it renew.

Are Marcus and Bread safe?

Yes. Marcus is a brand of Goldman Sachs Bank USA, FDIC certificate 33124. Bread Savings products are offered by Comenity Capital Bank, FDIC certificate 57570. CDs at each are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category.

Who should pick which?

Pick Marcus if you

• Have less than $1,500 to deposit
• Want a long term CD with a lighter penalty, or a 6 year term
• Value 24/7 phone support and the 10 day rate guarantee

Pick Bread if you

• Want the higher rate on any term from 3 months to 5 years
• Are confident you will not touch a 4 or 5 year CD early
• Have at least $1,500 per CD

Can you use both for a CD ladder?

Yes. A ladder spreads your money across terms so part of it comes due regularly. At the rates above, Bread pays more on every rung, so a $20,000 ladder might look like this (swap in Marcus for any rung under $1,500):

• $5,000 in a Bread 9 month CD at 4.40% APY
• $5,000 in a Bread 12 month CD at 4.45% APY
• $5,000 in a Bread 18 month CD at 4.85% APY
• $5,000 in a Bread 2 year CD at 4.55% APY

See what is a CD ladder? for how to build and roll one over, and Barclays vs. Marcus for another comparison.

Our verdict

Both are strong CD banks. At our latest check, Bread pays more on every term both banks offer, while Marcus wins on a lower minimum, lighter penalties on long terms and a 6 year option. With $1,500 or more and no plans to break the CD early, Bread pays more. With less than $1,500, or for a 4 or 5 year CD you might need early, Marcus is the safer pick.

Frequently asked questions

Which pays more, Marcus or Bread Savings CDs?

At our latest check (October 15, 2026), Bread paid more on every term both banks offer, from 6 months to 5 years. Only Marcus offers a 6 year CD.

What is the minimum deposit for Marcus and Bread CDs?

Marcus needs $500. Bread needs $1,500, deposited in a single transaction, with a maximum of $1 million.

Which has the lower early withdrawal penalty?

Marcus, on long terms. Bread charges 365 days of simple interest on 4 and 5 year CDs, while Marcus charges 180 days on terms up to 5 years. On shorter terms, both charge 90 or 180 days.

Are Marcus and Bread Savings CDs FDIC insured?

Yes. Marcus is part of Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Bread Savings is offered by Comenity Capital Bank, both FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category.

Does Bread Savings offer a 6 year CD?

No. Bread’s terms run from 3 months to 5 years. Marcus offers terms up to 6 years.