Fixed Deposit Vs Savings Account - Which is a Better Investment Option?

When it comes to your wealth, your first instinct may be to park any surplus in a savings account. This isn’t the worst idea as a savings account does offer you unmatched liquidity. When used well, it can help you save money and allows you to tap into the corpus as needed. 

 

However, while savings do matter, it is equally important to invest your funds. At this stage, you will find that fixed deposits are a viable option and one that is better than a savings account. 

 

This is when you should do a fixed deposit vs savings account comparison to understand which option serves you best. 

To get a better understanding of the fixed deposit vs savings account comparison, take a look at the table below:

Now that you have a brief overview on the differences, here are the reasons why fixed deposits are always a better investment option.

• Higher rate of interest

Savings accounts can provide you with nominal annual interest rates ranging from 2.5% to 4% depending on the bank and amount. On the other hand, fixed deposits provide a higher interest rate ranging from 3.5% up to 8.60% p.a. 

 

If you are looking to invest in an FD with competitive interest rates, you can find offers from top issuers on Bajaj Markets. 

• Tenor flexibility

Unlike savings accounts, where there is no fixed tenor, you can invest in a fixed deposit in flexible tenors ranging from 12 months to 60 months. 

 

There is also an option of investing in multiple fixed deposits with different tenors. This way you can ladder your investments over a period and accumulate higher returns. 

• Interest payout can be availed as per your choice

In a fixed deposit, you have the option of receiving interest payout according to your choice. If you invest in non-cumulative fixed deposits, the interest rate can be received on a monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or annual basis. 

 

However, if you wish to invest in cumulative fixed deposits, you can avail a higher interest payout on maturity. 

• Tax benefits

If you chose to invest in a tax-free fixed deposit with a minimum lock-in period of five years, you can also avail tax benefits. Under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, you can claim a tax benefit of up to ₹1.5 Lakhs on interest payouts.

• Option of availing a loan against fixed deposit

Unlike savings accounts, you can avail easy and hassle-free loans on your fixed deposit. Such a loan is easy to secure as the principal amount of the deposit acts as collateral.

The sanctioned loan amount is generally a certain percentage of the principal deposit amount. A loan against your fixed deposit enables you to meet any unexpected financial crisis without having to disrupt your investments.

• Encourages saving

You can easily withdraw money from a savings account. But in the case of a fixed deposit your money is locked in for a specified period. This inculcates a sense of financial discipline, and you tend to save more.

Fixed deposits also provide added benefits like compoundable interest rates, which further increase your earnings. Through financial discipline, your wealth accumulates over a period of time.

• Option of calculating interest beforehand

In a fixed deposit, you can calculate the interest payout before making an investment by using an online fixed deposit calculator. Enter details like the amount to be deposited, payout mode, and the deposit term.

 

The best option between an FD and a savings account for you to park your excess funds depends on various factors. For instance, if you wish to enjoy higher returns on your money, a fixed deposit is the obvious choice.

 

On the other hand, if you wish to enjoy easy access to your money, a savings account would be ideal. This is because a savings account allows you to withdraw your money at any time you want. This isn’t the case with an FD, as you are required to prematurely withdraw your investment and pay a penalty. 

A fixed deposit is an investment instrument wherein you park your funds for a fixed tenor at a predetermined rate of interest. The tenor can range from a few days to several years while the interest rates start at 5.40%, going up to 8.60% or higher, depending on the financial institution. 

 

Fixed deposits are offered by various financial institutions, including banks and non-banking financial institutions. The interest rates on an FD are decided on the basis of the institution’s benchmarking policies. 

 

For instance, a benchmarking reference rate is the RBI’s repo rate. Depending on the market conditions, the RBI increases or decreases the repo rate. These changes are reflected in the FD rates offered by issuers and hikes in the repo rate will lead to higher FD rates too. 

 

It is crucial to analyse interest rates offered by various issuers and choose an FD that can maximise your earnings in a given period. 

 

When comparing a savings account vs a fixed deposit, it is important to know that it is not as easy to liquidate an FD as compared to a savings account. 

 

Once your money is locked in for a specific tenor, you may not be able to withdraw funds as and when you like. Most issuers have a lock-in period, and this can range from a few months to a year. 

 

For the same, you may need to prematurely withdraw your FD to get your money and this incurs a penalty. 

 

Within minutes, you can determine your interest earnings at the applicable interest rate by using this simple and convenient online tool. On Bajaj Markets, you can use an FD calculator to evaluate your returns before investing.

 

Fixed deposits also come with a slew of convenience features. It is easy to open an FD as it requires minimal documentation. 

 

Submit KYC documents along with your recent photographs, a copy of the bank account and a cancelled cheque. There are many additional services you can get on booking an FD. For example, on Bajaj Markets, you are provided with:

• Easily accessible touch points

• Simple and transparent policies

• Detailed SMS and email communication to customers while booking a fixed deposit, from request to maturity

• Scanned copies of all the documents submitted by you, available online for easy access.