How Can You Lose Money on a Brokered CD? Risks Explained

Understand how selling a brokered CD before maturity or rising interest rates can cause losses. Learn risks and fees tied to brokered CDs.

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Losing money on a brokered CD can occur if you sell it on the secondary market before maturity and the interest rates have risen since you bought it. The demand for lower-yielding CDs drops when new CDs offer higher rates, causing the price of your CD to decrease if you decide to sell it early. Additionally, brokered CDs might come with transaction fees that could further erode your returns if not carefully considered.

FAQs & Answers

  1. Can I lose money if I hold a brokered CD until maturity? If held to maturity, brokered CDs typically return the full principal plus interest, so loss is unlikely unless the issuing bank defaults.
  2. Why does selling a brokered CD early cause a loss? Selling early can lead to losses because if interest rates have risen, your lower-yielding CD becomes less valuable, reducing its market price.
  3. Are there fees associated with brokered CDs? Yes, brokered CDs may involve transaction fees or commissions that can reduce your overall returns.