Financial Dictionary
certificate of deposit (CD)
- A receipt, issued by a financial institution for a deposit of funds, that permits the holder to receive interest plus the deposit at maturity. Early withdrawal of CDs issued after October 1, 1983, results in a penalty of 30 days' loss of interest on maturities of one year or less, and loss of 90 days' interest on maturities over one year. See also add-on, callable CD, jumbo certificate of deposit, negotiable certificate of deposit, real estate certificate of deposit, term certificate, zero-coupon certificate of deposit.
