variable-rate certificate of deposit

Variable-Rate Certificate of Deposit

A certificate of deposit for which the interest rate changes according to some formula at set intervals. Investors use variable-rate certificates of deposit when they want a low-risk investment but expect prevailing interest rates to rise during the life of the CD. See also: Variable-rate bond.

variable-rate certificate of deposit

A certificate of deposit that pays a rate of interest that changes at predetermined intervals according to a specified formula or a key interest rate. This savings instrument is most appropriate if the investor expects short-term interest rates to rise before the certificates mature.