Scrutinize certificate of deposit, or CD, rates advice and ratings sites to determine whether or not you will receive optimal return on your investments. Many people invest in bank certificates of deposit and following expert advice often increases yield.

Find out the best places to go to compare CD interest rates and discover tips for improving the rates. Learn what institutions are legitimate and which ones you need to avoid. Some ways you can find advice on CD rates and look into ratings include the following choices:

1. Learn about reviewing a certificate of deposit rate by watching web videos on investment strategies.

2. Go to experts to glean CD rates advice and ratings tips.

3. Keep current on what's happening with bank CD rates by keeping up with CD investment blogs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get advice on business CD rates by watching videos focused on investing advice

Learn about current CD rates and find out money trends and predictions by watching online videos where experts discuss the markets. Use this information to determine your own investing strategies and to track the best CD rates available to you.

I recommend: ThirdAge offers a series of online videos dedicated to financial planning. It discusses investing strategies among other topics and also highlights articles and question and answer segments from experts. Guarantee My Money offers a video discussing CDs. It offers advice on how to get optimal rates for investment.

Get expert advice on low and high CD rates and the best investing strategies

Learn about online CD rates as opposed to dealing with other banking institutions by asking experts for their advice and by listening to discussion where they discuss investment strategies.

I recommend: CNBC experts offer advice to viewers and readers on money matters covering topics like CD rates and provides information on scams targeting investors. The site lets readers easily follow links to archives or ask questions of their own. Morningstar offers a conference with experts discussing financial matters. The experts offer advice and other tips for investing.

Discover the benefits of high-yield CD rates and other types of CD investing strategies via blogs

Peruse through blogs dedicated to discussing bank CD rates to get the latest information in the market. Many blogs link to articles that offer investing advice and expert opinions. They also highlight weekly rates and warn about scams.

I recommend: Banking Guy offers a blog entitled "Bank Deals," which discusses the best rates and deals available. It covers topics like CD rates, including the top national CD rates and also offers a weekly rate summary. Wordpress offers the CD Rates Blog, a site dedicated to people interested in making the most of their CD investments. It provides links to sites discussing CD rates and offers advice on banking options and investments.

If you have extra money saved, and plan to hold onto it for a long period of time, you should investigate CD interest rates. CDs, or certificate of deposits, are a safe way to save you money and make more interest than you would via savings accounts. The catch is that you have to leave your money in the CD for a specified time.

There are several places to search for the best certificate of deposit rate. In your search, make sure to:

1. Search local CD rates. Local banks and credit unions competing for your business will often have the best CD rates available.

2. Search online CD rates. With a few clicks of a button you can find what rates banks around the country are offering.

3. Look at jumbo CD rates. If you have a lot of money to invest, a jumbo CD rate can make you more money.

Action Steps
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Search local bank CD rates

You'll often find the best CD rates in your own neighborhood. When banks compete locally, a lot of competition exists for the best price. Compare local banks for the best current CD rates.

I recommend: Credit union CD rates can often be very good, though you have to qualify for a credit union before you can join. Search local credit unions through the National Credit Union Administration. Interest.com will also let you search for CD rates by state.

Search online for the best high yield CD rates

By searching online, you can see what kind of bank CD rates are being offered around the country. There are also several Internet banks that will compete to give you the best business CD rates.

I recommend: Bankrate compares certificate of deposit rates around the country and will point out the best places to buy. Also, websites like Bankaholic and BankCD.com will search for the best rates.

Search for the best jumbo CD rates available

If you have a lot of money to save -- typically $100,000 or more -- a jumbo CD might be a good option for you. These CDs often have better rates, but often are only offered to businesses.

I recommend: Compare jumbo CD rates at Bauer Financial or JumboCDInvestments.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The best business CD rates will probably be found with a jumbo CD. But remember to keep your CD within FDIC insured limits or you could take a cut if the bank performs poorly.

When purchasing a CD, or Certificate of Deposit, it's important to know what you're getting. While CDs can be a safe investment, there are different types of CDs, each of which has different rates associated with it. This could make a big difference on your return on investment, so a smart investor understands the different types and which types have the highest rates. Learn the following terms that are associated with CD rates to get off to a good start.

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Jumbo CD rates

Jumbo CDs are CDs that are purchased for a very high dollar amount, usually $100,000 or more. Because of this, jumbo CD rates are higher than most other types of CDs. For someone who wants a relatively safe investment and has a lot of money to invest, jumbo CDs may be the way to go.

I recommend: Bankrate.com discusses jumbo CD rates.

Corporate CD rates

Corporate CDs are used as an investment for corporations that want to invest the money that they don't plan on using until the future. Corporate CD rates are often higher than other types of safe investments.

I recommend: PNC talks about their corporate CD rates towards the bottom of the page on working capital.

IRA CD rates

An IRA, or Individual Retirement Account, is a type of investment plan that people use to invest for retirement. Some people choose to include IRA CDs as part of their portfolio mix. IRA CD rates depend on the particular CD that you choose.

I recommend: See IRA CD rates at Jumbo CD Investments.

Personal CD rates

Personal CD rates are often the lowest rates out of all the types of CDs. Still, because CDs are a safer investment than many other investments, many people are happy to purchase personal CDs as part of their investments.

I recommend: See examples of personal CD rates at Nexity Bank.

Credit union CD rates

Consumers and businesses can also purchase their CDs through a credit union. Credit union CD rates may be slightly higher than personal CD rates.

I recommend: BestCashCow.com discusses credit union CDs and their rates.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, is a government agency that ensures that your money is safe in the bank. The FDIC guarantees funds up to $100,000 at each bank. CDs are covered under the FDIC. If you are investing more than $100,000, consider spreading the investments across various banks so that you money remains insured.

I recommend: Learn more about the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from their website.