BankShout looks at the top 1-year certificate of deposit rates for the week of Monday, April 26, 2010. Annual percentage yields (APY) are for national and Internet banks based in the U.S.

This week’s poll of 1-year certificate of deposit yields shows banks either cut rates very slightly or held them steady from two weeks earlier. The mini-trend was to drop annual percentage yields by just 1 basis point, or .01, as U.S. national and Internet banks tend to play follow-the-leader with deposit products such as CDs.

Still atop the BankShout poll is Aurora Bank FSB. Aurora’s 1-year CD is at 1.54% APY, down from 1.55% APY on April 12. The certificate requires a minimum deposit of $1000. Nexity Bank followed suit, dropping its 12-month CD to 1.53% APY from 1.54%, also for a minimum balance of $1000. NewdominionDIRECT held its $3000 minimum deposit 1-year offering at 1.51% APY.

American Express Bank, FSB, held its 1-year CD to 1.50% APY with no minimum balance. Ally Bank, Utah, joined Aurora and Nexity in cutting by 1 basis point, to 1.49% APY from 1.50% on April 12. Ally also requires no minimum deposit to open. Colorado Federal Savings Bank held its 1-year certificate at 1.45% APY and $5000 minimum balance.

1-year certificate of deposit terms were particularly popular just before the financial crisis hit; many banks were offering some of their highest yields for 1-year terms, rather than longer commitments such as 3 or 5 years. With all deposit rates at low yields for an indefinite period of time, 1-year terms have fallen in line in proportion to other terms and rate offerings.