The rate paid on CDs is determined by each bank and credit union and involves their particular need for deposits and the time horizon of their deposit strategy. However, the actions of the Federal Reserve loom large in the equation. The federal funds rate, which is determined by the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee, influences how much banks have to pay in order to borrow from each other. That, in turn, influences how much individual depository institutions are willing to pay consumers for their deposit funds. When the Fed's rate is low, banks will offer lower yields on interest-bearing accounts. When interest rates go up, however, they tend to pay higher rates in order to attract customers.