You can still maximize CD returns before Fed cuts rates

Certificates of deposit have been a saver's delight as the Federal Reserve hiked its benchmark, short-term federal funds rate 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023 to 5.25%-5.5%, the highest level in more than 20 years, to contain inflation. The Fed's now widely forecast to lower rates when its policy meeting concludes on Sept. 18, and financial institutions…