Fixed Deposit (FD) Accounts in Banks

The Time Deposit Accounts in banks, also called Fixed Deposit or Term Deposit accounts. These accounts offer the facility of investing surplus funds and savings to mature on a predetermined date with relatively higher rates of interest without loosing liquidity and safety of funds. The interest rates under the scheme depend upon the period of investment and also vary from Bank to Bank. The accounts offer facility of interest withdrawal at periodical intervals or to get it on maturity along with the principal.

The deposits in these accounts are considered risk free investments. These accounts offer the facility of loan against the deposits and can also be closed prematurely (with some interest penalty).

You can use the calculator on the right to calculate returns under the scheme.

Salient features of Time Deposit Accounts in banks

Feature	Description
Eligibility	Individuals, partnership firms, private and public limited companies, HUFs/ specified associations, societies, trusts etc.
Requirements	The requirements for opening of accounts by individuals are the same as mentioned under Savings Bank Accounts.The requirements for opening of accounts by trusts, societies, partnership firms and companies are the same as mentioned under Current Accounts.Usually Term Deposit / Fixed Deposit Accounts are maintained by banks for Saving Bank / Current Account holders only.
Minimum amount	Rs. 1,000/-. (may vary from bank to bank)
Maximum amount	No maximum limit
Maturity period	15 days to 10 years.
Interest	The Interest Rate is related to the Maturity period of the deposit.Usually deposits for longer periods attract higher interest rates.The Interest Rate varies from bank to bank.Interest can be received at monthly (discounted rate) or quarterly rests or the interest can be reinvested to be received with the principal on maturity. In case of reinvestment of interest, it is compounded at quarterly rests.
Nomination facility	Available
Transferability	Transferable from one branch of the bank to another.
Tax benefits	Not Available
Interest Taxability	Interest earned is taxable
Overdraft / Loan facility	Overdraft/loan facility is available against security of the term / fixed deposit.
Premature payment	Premature payment is allowed subject to penalty of lower interest.
Other features	A Receipt or advice or pass book is issued. The re-investment type fixed deposit also called Special Term Deposit is issued for a minimum period of 6 months. Banks offer flexibility of changing the mode/periodicity of payment of interest from re-investment to periodical payment or vice-versa. In case of matured deposits, banks permit renewal with retrospective effect i.e. from the date of maturity of the matured deposit subject to certain conditions.