Barclays vs. Marcus CDs: Which Pays More?
Barclays Online CD vs. Marcus High Yield CD: rates for every term, minimum deposits, early withdrawal penalties, the Marcus rate guarantee and which one to choose for your term.
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Barclays now pays more on most terms, has no minimum deposit and has lighter penalties up to 2 years; Marcus wins on 9 month and 6 year CDs. Barclays raised its rates on October 7, 2026: 4.50% APY for 12 months and 4.75% APY for 2 and 5 years (as of Oct 7, 2026). Marcus pays 4.40% APY on every term from 12 months to 6 years (as of Oct 28, 2026), with a $500 minimum and a 10 day rate guarantee.
Barclays and Marcus by Goldman Sachs are two of the biggest online banks for CDs. Marcus raised its rates in early October 2026 and pays the same rate on every term from 12 months to 6 years. Barclays raised its rates on October 7, 2026 and now pays more than Marcus on every term except 9 months and 6 years.
Barclays vs. Marcus CDs at a glance
| Barclays Online CD | Marcus High Yield CD | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 month APY | 4.50% | 4.40% |
| Best APY | 4.75% (24 months) | 4.40% (12 months to 6 years) |
| Rates as of | Oct 7, 2026 | Oct 28, 2026 |
| Terms | 6 to 60 months | 6 months to 6 years |
| Minimum deposit | $0 (fund within 14 days) | $500 |
| Early withdrawal penalty | 90 days of interest (24 months or less); 180 days (longer terms) | 90 days (1 year or less); 180 days (up to 5 years); 270 days (over 5 years) |
| Grace period at maturity | 14 days | 10 days, then renews automatically |
| Extras | Interest compounds daily, credited monthly | 10 day rate guarantee after opening; 24/7 support |
| BankingPicks score | 4.7 / 5 | 4.6 / 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 | Barclays APY | Marcus APY |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 4.00% | 3.95% |
| 9 months | 4.00% | 4.30% |
| 12 months | 4.50% | 4.40% |
| 18 months | 4.50% | 4.40% |
| 2 years | 4.75% | 4.40% |
| 3 years | 4.50% | 4.40% |
| 4 years | 4.50% | 4.40% |
| 5 years | 4.75% | 4.40% |
| 6 years | Not offered | 4.40% |
Barclays rates valid as of Oct 7, 2026 and Marcus rates as of Oct 12, 2026, both from each bank’s website, checked Oct 12, 2026. Rates can change before you open and fund a CD.
Which pays more for 1 year?
At our latest check, Barclays: 4.50% APY vs. 4.40% APY at Marcus. On $10,000, that is about $450 of interest at Barclays vs. about $440 at Marcus over 12 months. Barclays also has no minimum deposit, so it works for any amount.
Which pays more for shorter terms?
It depends on the term. For 6 months, Barclays pays slightly more: 4.00% vs. 3.95% at Marcus. For 9 months, Marcus pays more: 4.30% vs. 4.00% at Barclays. With both banks paying more for 12 months, most savers will get more by choosing the 12 month term if they can wait.
Which pays more for 2 years?
Barclays, clearly: 4.75% APY vs. 4.40% APY at Marcus. Barclays also has the lighter penalty at this term (90 days of interest vs. 180 at Marcus) and no minimum, so it wins on every count for a 2 year CD.
Which pays more for 3 years or longer?
Barclays, for terms up to 5 years. Barclays pays 4.50% APY on 3 and 4 years and 4.75% on 5 years, vs. 4.40% APY at Marcus. Marcus is the only one of the two with a 6 year term.
On $10,000 held for 3 years, that works out to about $1,410 of interest at Barclays vs. about $1,380 at Marcus, at the rates in the table above. Penalties are the same at this length (180 days of interest at both), so the rate decides it.
Which has lighter penalties?
For terms up to 2 years, Barclays is lighter: 90 days of interest on terms of 24 months or less, vs. 180 days at Marcus for terms over 1 year. For terms of 1 year or less, both charge 90 days. Marcus charges 270 days on terms over 5 years.
In dollars: breaking a $10,000, 12 month CD early costs roughly $105 to $110 in interest at either bank. Breaking a $10,000, 3 year CD costs about 180 days of interest at either bank, roughly $210 to $220. These are estimates; each bank calculates the exact penalty from your CD’s interest rate. See our guide on high yield savings vs. CDs if you are not sure you can leave the money alone.
What is the Marcus rate guarantee?
If Marcus raises the rate on your CD term within 10 days of opening, you automatically get the higher rate, as long as the CD is funded with at least $500 within those 10 days. That protects you if rates rise right after you open.
What happens when the CD matures?
Barclays gives you a 14 day grace period to withdraw or change terms. Marcus gives you 10 days, after which the CD renews automatically at the rate then offered for that term. Set a calendar reminder a week before maturity at either bank, because the renewal rate may be lower than rates on offer elsewhere.
Can you use both banks for a CD ladder?
Yes. A CD ladder splits your money across several terms, so part of it comes due every few months or years. With Barclays paying more on most terms, you could build most rungs there and use Marcus for a 9 month rung or a 6 year rung.
At the rates in the table above, a simple four rung ladder with $20,000 might look like this:
- $5,000 in a Marcus 9 month CD at 4.30% APY
- $5,000 in a Barclays 12 month CD at 4.50% APY
- $5,000 in a Barclays 2 year CD at 4.75% APY
- $5,000 in a Barclays 3 year CD at 4.50% APY
When each CD matures, you can spend the money or roll it into a new long term CD. Keep in mind that Marcus needs $500 per CD, and that each bank’s FDIC limit applies to your total at that bank. See what is a CD ladder? for more.
Are Barclays and Marcus safe?
Yes. Barclays Bank Delaware is FDIC insured under certificate 57203, and Marcus is a brand of Goldman Sachs Bank USA, certificate 33124. CDs at each are covered up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category.
Who should pick which?
Pick Barclays if you
- Want the higher rate on 6 months, 12 months or any term from 18 months to 5 years
- Have less than $500 to deposit
- Want a lighter early withdrawal penalty on terms up to 2 years
Pick Marcus if you
- Want a 9 month CD or a 6 year CD
- Want a 10 day rate guarantee after opening
- Want 24/7 support and one of the best rated banking apps
How to open a CD at either bank
- Pick your term first. Match it to when you will need the money, then compare the rate for that exact term in the table above.
- Apply online. You need your Social Security number, a US address and a funding account.
- Fund it on time. Barclays needs funding within 14 days. At Marcus, fund at least $500 within 10 days to keep the rate guarantee.
- Choose what happens at maturity. Decide in advance whether to renew or move the money, and set a reminder for the grace period.
Our verdict
At current rates, Barclays is the better CD bank for most savers: a higher rate on most terms, no minimum deposit and lighter penalties up to 2 years. Marcus remains the pick for a 9 month or 6 year term, or if you value its rate guarantee and 24/7 support. See how both compare with other banks and credit unions on our best CD rates page.
Frequently asked questions
Does Barclays have a minimum deposit for CDs?
No. Barclays Online CDs have no minimum deposit. You need to fund the CD within 14 days of opening.
What is the Marcus CD minimum deposit?
$500.
Which pays more for 1 year, Barclays or Marcus?
At our latest check, Barclays: 4.50% APY vs. 4.40% APY at Marcus.
Which is better for a 5 year CD, Barclays or Marcus?
Barclays pays more on 5 years at the rates we checked: 4.75% APY vs. 4.40% at Marcus (Barclays as of Oct 7, Marcus as of Oct 12, 2026). Marcus also offers a 6 year term.
Are Barclays and Marcus CDs FDIC insured?
Yes. Both are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category.
What happens when my CD matures?
Barclays gives you a 14 day grace period. Marcus gives you 10 days, after which the CD renews automatically. Use the grace period to withdraw or move the money if you do not want to renew.
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