What’s a strong 2-year (24 months) CD rate right now?  You’re looking at top rates of around 2 percent.  Yes, I know it sounds pathetic.  Most strong deposit earning checking accounts are still only 0.5% and most strong 1 year CDs are around 1.25%.  Although recent talk has been more hawkish from the Fed and friends, I tend to think that’s more political pandering and appeasement for the Tea Party.  The largest institution offering the 2% CD is American Express Bank, which offers the CD with no minimum deposit, which is rare among banks that are among the Certificate of deposit leaders.