H&R Block Bank leads our latest rankings of the best six-month CD rates.

As of Oct. 5, the tax preparation company's online bank is paying 2.0% APY with a $10,000 minimum deposit.

This special was scheduled to end Sept. 30, but has been extended for a few days, and accounts can still be opened online.

It matches the best nationally available rate that United Central Bank offered from July through early September, when it cut the yield in half.

Indeed, rates on the top-paying six-month CDs have held their own over the past few months, even though the average rate has fallen from 0.85% APY on July 1 to 0.62% APY.

The other top six-month CD rates in our October rankings are:

1.80% APY with an $500 minimum deposit from Country Bank, with 14 locations in the Ware, Mass., area. Country Bank CDs must be applied for by mail. Call the bank to get started.

1.76% APY with a $500 minimum deposit from Ascencia, the Louisville, Ky.-based online division of Porter Bancorp Inc.

Here's where to compare these rates with the best CD rates and terms from dozens of other banks in our extensive database.

Our CD calculator will show you the dollars-and-cents return for any certificate of deposit, regardless of size, interest rate or term.

By Carolyn Siegel

Interest.com Associate Editor