An FDIC insured certificate of deposit (CD) that contains a call feature similar to other types of callable fixed-income securities. In exchange for keeping the money on deposit for the agreed-on term, institutions usually grant higher interest rates than they do on accounts from which money may be withdrawn on demand, although this may not be the case in an inverted yield curve situation. Fixed rates are common, but some institutions offer CDs with various forms of variable rates.A callable CD is similar to a traditional CD, except that the bank reserves the right to “call” the investment. After the initial non-callable period, the bank can buy (call) back the CD. Callable CDs pay a premium interest rate. Banks manage their interest rate risk by selling callable CDs. On the call date, the banks determine if it is cheaper to replace the investment or leave it outstanding. This is similar to refinancing a mortgage.
Callable CDs can be redeemed (called away) by the issuing bank prior to their stated maturity, usually within a given time frame, and at a preset call price.
A bank adds a call feature to a CD so it does not have to continue paying a higher rate to the CD holder if interest rates drop. Callable CDs are often redeemed at a premium to their purchase price as an incentive for investors to take the call risk.
For example, if a bank issues a traditional CD that pays 4.5% to the investor, and interest rates fall to a point where the bank could issue the same CD to someone else for only 3.5%, the bank would be paying 1% higher rate for the duration of the CD. By using a callable CD, the bank can pay a premium to stop paying the higher rate.