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Guaranteed Return Threshold Questionnaire
Screening Question: Which of the following best describes your familiarity with savings account interest rates and certificates of deposit (CDs)?
I actively compare rates and understand how APY works
I know what APY and CDs are and have looked at rates before
I've heard of these but don't really understand how they work [DISQUALIFY]
I'm not familiar with these terms [DISQUALIFY]
1. What is the lowest APY that would make switching banks feel worth the hassle for you?
3.00% or higher
3.50% or higher
4.00% or higher
4.50% or higher
5.00% or higher
I would not switch banks for a higher APY
I do not pay attention to savings rates
2. In the past 12 months, have you switched where you keep savings primarily to get a higher APY?
Yes, I moved most of my savings
Yes, I moved some of my savings
No, but I seriously considered it
No, I prefer to keep banking simple
No, I did not realize my rate could be higher elsewhere
3. What is the longest you would comfortably lock up money for a guaranteed higher rate?
Less than 6 months
6 months
12 months
18 months
2 years
3 years or longer
I would not lock money in a CD
4. If you had to pick one, what matters most for your emergency savings?
Highest rate
Instant access
Simplicity
Safety (FDIC insurance and fraud protection)
Trust in the brand
5. What is the main reason CDs make you hesitate?
I might need the money before maturity
I worry I will miss out if rates rise
Penalties feel too punishing
I do not understand what happens at maturity
The return is not worth losing flexibility
I have no concerns about CDs
6. How many percentage points higher would a 12-month CD need to be than savings for you to lock in?
0.25 percentage points higher
0.50 percentage points higher
0.75 percentage points higher
1.00 percentage point higher
1.50 percentage points higher or more
No difference would convince me
7. How closely do you monitor your savings APY?
Weekly or more
Monthly
A few times in the last 6 months
Once or never
I do not know my savings rate
8. If your bank quietly cut your savings APY by 1.00%, what would you do first?
Switch banks immediately
Shop around, then decide
Complain, but probably stay
Do nothing because switching is a hassle
I would not know how to compare rates
9. Which best describes you right now?
I chase the best rate and move money
I want a good rate, but convenience matters
I value stability and keeping it all in one place
Rate differences are not meaningful to me
I feel overwhelmed and do nothing
10. If the APY is identical, what would make you switch to a new bank anyway? (Select all that apply)
No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements
A mobile app that actually works well
24/7 customer service I can reach easily
The ability to open other accounts like CDs in the same place
Physical branch locations near me
Sign-up bonus or promotional offer
Reputation and how long the bank has been around
Better ATM access or fee-free withdrawals
Faster transfers
Better fraud protection and security tools
11. Which best describes you and CDs right now?
I currently have one or more CDs
I have had CDs before
I am considering opening a CD soon
I am curious but have not taken action
I am not interested in CDs
12. What goal would you most likely use a CD for?
Down payment or big planned purchase
Tuition or education
Annual bills (taxes, insurance)
A planned major expense (wedding, move, medical)
Safe growth for money I will not touch
Travel fund
13. How much would a one-time rate bump feature increase your likelihood of opening a CD?
Much more likely
Somewhat more likely
No change
Somewhat less likely
Much less likely
14. Which matters more to you in a CD: a higher rate or the ability to exit without penalty?
Higher rate matters most
No-penalty flexibility matters most
Both matter equally
I would not open a CD either way
15. How likely are you to use multiple CDs with different end dates instead of one big CD?
Very likely
Somewhat likely
I would do it only if it was automated for me
Unlikely
Very unlikely
16. If you opened a CD today, what term would you pick?
3 to 6 months
9 to 12 months
18 to 24 months
3 years
4 to 5 years
I would not open a CD right now
17. How confident are you that money in a CD would stay untouched until maturity?
Extremely confident - this money is truly set aside
Very confident - I have other funds for emergencies
Somewhat confident - I think I'll be fine but life happens
Not very confident - there's a real chance I'd need it
Not confident at all - I'd probably end up withdrawing early
18. What would make CDs feel easiest and safest for you? (Select all that apply)
A calculator that shows exactly what I'd earn at maturity
Automatic renewal options so I don't have to remember to act
Clear explanation of what happens if I need to withdraw early
The ability to add money to the CD during the term
Starting with a small amount to test it out
Reviews or recommendations from other people like me
Knowing I could easily see my CD balance and progress in an app
A clear maturity alert and reminders
A live chat or human support option
19. What deposit size feels realistic for your first CD?
Under $5,000
$5,000 to $24,999
$25,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $99,999
Over $100,000
20. If rates fall soon after you open a CD, how would you describe your reaction?
Proud, I timed it well
Relieved, I have certainty
Neutral, that is the point of a CD
Regretful, I should have stayed flexible
Frustrated, I would feel stuck
21. What APY do you think a high-yield savings account typically earns right now?
Under 3.0%
3.0% to 3.9%
4.0% to 4.9%
5.0% to 5.9%
6.0% or higher
22. What APY do you think a typical 12-month CD earns right now?
2.00% or less
2.50% to 3.00%
3.50% to 4.00%
4.50% to 5.00%
5.50% to 6.00%
6.50% or higher
I have no idea what to expect
23. Over the next 10 years, what average annual return do you expect from the stock market?
0% to 3%
4% to 6%
7% to 9%
10% to 12%
13% or higher
24. For a goal 2 to 3 years away, where would you put the money?
High-yield savings
CDs
Stock market investing
Mix of savings and CDs
Mix of CDs and stocks
Mix of all three
25. Which fear drives your money decisions more?
Losing money in a downturn
Missing out on growth by being too cautious
Inflation eroding my purchasing power
I do not feel strongly driven by fear
26. For a 3 to 5 year goal, what return would feel worth it to you?
2% to 3% - anything guaranteed and positive is good
4% to 5% - solid and realistic
6% to 7% - this is where it gets worthwhile
8% to 10% - now we're talking real growth
11% or higher - anything less isn't worth the effort
It depends entirely on how much risk I'm taking
27. What do you think most Americans earned on savings accounts on average over the last 5 years?
Under 1%
1% to 2%
2% to 3%
3% to 4%
Over 4%
28. If your bank offered an FDIC-insured 12-month option paying 5% APY, what would you do?
Open it immediately
Strongly consider it after comparing options
Be skeptical and assume there is a catch
Ignore it because I want more upside
Ignore it because 5% is not motivating
29. Which belief matches you best?
Higher returns usually mean higher risk
Low-risk returns can still be strong if you shop smart
I prefer guaranteed returns even if lower
I will risk more for a shot at bigger gains
30. If $100,000 must sit untouched for 3 years, what would you choose?
A guaranteed-rate CD
A diversified investment portfolio
High-yield savings (even if accessible)
A split between CDs and stocks
Mostly stocks
Is your CD/HYSA and your everyday use checking account at the same bank?
Yes
No
I don’t know
31. Is your CD/HYSA and your everyday use checking account at the same bank?
Yes
No
I don’t know
Explore key insights from this questionnaire in our detailed article. For more data and survey results, click here.