Acquisitions can produce explosive deposit growth, but organic growth requires targeted strategies like promotional CDs and local outreach.

Many high‑growth banks rely on limited‑time, locally targeted CD specials to avoid rate‑shopping bots and to control inflows.

While it is difficult to find new listees for Jumbo Rate News as most banks do not accept out-of-area corporate deposits, there are several CD rate specials that are suitable for our consumer CD rate page.

Jumbo Rate News JRN 43:08

CD Specials and Strategy Drive Deposit Growth

It’s easy to grow your deposits (along with everything else) by acquiring another institution. Banks, like 5-Star Beacon Bank & Trust, Boston, MA (17798) formerly known as Brookline Bank, know this very well. It acquired three banks in three different states in 2025 (JRN 43:01).

As a result, Beacon Bank reported more than 317% deposit growth during the 12 months ended September 30, 2025, the second highest rate in the industry. Its assets grew 261%, net worth 304% and loans almost 230%, all also a result of the acquisitions.

Beacon Bank’s deposit growth was bested by just one other, 4-Star Foresight Bk, Winnebago, IL (5749).  Formerly known as German American Bank, Foresight reported deposit growth of 358%. Its growth was the result of the holding company’s consolidation of its six banks into one (JRN 42:43, 43:01).

To grow organically, it takes a little more strategy. That’s what the 50 banks listed on page 5 were up to last year. Each experienced more than 30% organic deposit growth during the 12 months ended 9/30/2025. We limited our list to include only banks that are recommended by Bauer (rated either 5-Stars or 4-Stars).

We had hoped to find some good CD rates we could pass along to you. After all, we’re all looking for the best rates. Increased deposit rates lead to increased deposits.

Here are some of our finds:

Established in 2006, 5-Star Bank of Lexington, Inc., Lexington, KY (58164) is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with two CD Specials: a 6-month CD with  an APY of 4.05% (or 4.25% for those who qualify) and a 20-month CD with an APY of 3.50% (or 3.70% for those who qualify).

These special rates, combined with two new branches that the bank opened in 2024, helped Bank of Lexington increase its deposits over 30% during the 12-month period. (Its assets increased less than 22%.)

Please note however, these rates are for local depositors only. If you’re in the Lexington area, simply visit one of its four branch offices and  you can celebrate with them.

Another, 5-Star Spring Bank, Bronx, NY (58668) said, “Forget the chocolates (they don’t earn interest). This Valentine’s day, show your savings some real love” with a special 8-month CD paying 4.50% APY. This rate is available in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and is for a limited time only.

Offering specials like this is a great way to bring in local deposits without being picked up by the bots that troll the internet for high rates. They are also very easy to discontinue once the bank has brought in the desired amount of funds. Spring Bank increased its deposits by 30.6% and its assets by 18.1% during the period noted.

Only one of the banks listed on page 5 was suitable for adding to our rate pages, although you should recognize some of the bank names that we already list. The new one is 5-Star Nelnet Bank, Draper, UT (59205),  an industrial bank that was started in 2020 to help students and families pay for education expenses. Nelnet offers both business and consumer CDs that can be applied for from its website. At this writing, rates include a 1-year CD ($25,000 minimum) with an APY of 3.25% and a 2 or 3-Year at 3.15% APY. Rates are for both business and personal deposits.

Nelnet Bank uses its deposits to make student and parent loans. The APYs on the loans currently range from 3.47% to 5.97%. While its CD rates are okay, its loan rates are very attractive. So attractive, in fact, that total loans at Nelnet Bank increased 72% during the 12-month period. Total assets and deposits each grew by just under 51%.

The remaining rates we are about to share are for consumers. Business deposits may be welcome on a face-to-face basis, but we all know how difficult it has become to open business accounts since 9/11.

5-Star American Pride Bank, Macon, GA (58584) has a 6 month CD with a 4.0% APY. The minimum deposit required is just $500.

5-Star Idaho First Bank, McCall, ID (58095) has three terms of promotional consumer CD rates, the 10 month term is the best:

Idaho First Bank
Minimum:	$10,000	$250,000.01
10 Month	3.60% APY	3.65% APY

This does not seem to be a good enough rate to account for the 65% increase in deposits, but promotional rates are apt to change frequently. Interested consumers should contact the bank directly at (866) 634-2760.

4-Star Luminate Bank, Minneapolis, MN (16635) allows consumers to open accounts via its website. It currently has a 4-month CD special with an APY of 4.0% (minimum $10,000). This is in addition to its regular board rates, which range from 90 days (3.50% APY) to 5 years (3.75% APY).

Luminate Bank was established in 1937 as Security Bank of Claremont and through the years has changed its name several times. It wasn’t until 2022 that it became Luminate Bank and the growth began to surge. In the 12 months ended 9/30/2025, Luminate Bank grew its deposits by a whopping 97%!

Top consumer CD and savings rates can also be found on our website.