1. Tenure of your deposit
FDs also come in a variety of terms, ranging from seven days to ten years. This means that it has all three categories of investments: short-, medium-, and long-term. Long-term investments are normally more than three years, medium-term is usually between one and three years, and short-term is usually less than one year. It also refers to a fixed-term investment like a fixed deposit of a bank, NBFC or post office. The term of an investment has a big impact on an investor’s risk perception, and the term is also determined by some factors such as where you want to invest your money and when. Investing for one’s potential financial needs necessitates a significant amount of time and managerial capabilities. However, one example is determining one’s financial objectives. Once they’ve been found, the next step is to determine the individual’s risk appetite and investment goals. The aim of investing your money is the first consideration rather than just putting it into an investment vehicle. To cope with the difficult market situation, a careful evaluation of individual requirements and appetite is necessary. It is therefore important for understanding the investment return prospects, as objectives can not be overstated before undertaking the investment decision.
2. Check bank’s credit rating
Bank credit ratings are measures of a bank’s likelihood of default or failure. Credit ratings are assigned to banks, other financial institutions from various agencies. Usually, these scores are expressed as letter ratings, with an AA or AAA rating being superior to a BB or BBB rating, and so on. A bank’s AAA or AA ranking does not ensure that it will not default; it simply indicates that these agencies do not believe a default is possible. Here one thing I’d like to point out that make sure your bank is covered by the DICGC insurance scheme. If the answer is yes, you shouldn’t be concerned with the credit record of your bank. Every depositor in a bank is covered up to a limit of Rs 5 lakh for both principal and interest amounts owed by her or him according to DICGC guidelines. Deposits with all commercial banks and cooperative banks are currently guaranteed under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), which is a subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India.
3. Interest against your deposit
No matter how interest rates change in the future or how the market behaves, the returns on fixed deposits are guaranteed at the time of investment. You get your deposit amount back at the end of the maturity period, plus any interest that has accumulated. Banks deliver different interest rates depending on the depositor’s tenure and type. Interest rates differ from one bank to the next. Senior citizens get interest rates that are 0.5 percent higher than those paid to the general public. Thus, comparing the highest FD interest rates throughout all banks and NBFCs is essential before investing in an FD. You will get guaranteed returns by investing in FDs with banks or NBFCs that have AAA ratings from ICRA and CRISIL.
4. Loan against your deposit
Individuals seek loans from a variety of places while they are in a financial emergency. Availability of loans against fixed deposits (FDs) from banks is another one of those options. Rather than unnecessarily withdrawing their FD, depositors can readily apply for a loan against their FD through the bank. A loan against FD (Fixed Deposit) is a form of secured loan in which individuals guarantee their fixed deposit as collateral in return for a loan. The loan amount is determined by the amount of the FD deposit. This can be somewhere between 90% and 95% of the deposit amount. Since the maximum tenure of the FD scheme is limited to the maximum tenure of the loan, the maximum tenure of the loan can be up to the maximum tenure of the FD account. This type of loan is not available to investors who have a 5-year tax-saving FD. Banks typically impose interest on these loans against Fds that are 0.5 percent to 2% higher than the relevant FD interest rate.
5. Premature withdrawal facility
Fixed deposits that have a premature withdrawal option cause the depositor to close the account before the maturity date. In periods of financial stress, this is a welcome respite. That being said, as a penalty to the bank, the depositor will be allowed to pay a certain amount. This is normally between 0.5 and 1% of the overall. Some banks allow you to make a premature withdrawal with no penalty. The bank or the firm, on the other hand, is not liable to pay any interest if the FD is prematurely closed before the 7-day period has passed from the date of depositing.
6. Choose a bank that has excellent customer service and a simple procedure to open an FD account
We live in a modern era of digital services, so there’s no need to go to the bank to start a fixed deposit account. It’s now as easy to open a fixed account online as it is to open a savings account at a bank. Banks that have an online option for opening a fixed deposit account allow account holders to monitor their funds from anywhere and anytime. It’s better to go with a bank that offers smooth and trouble-free internet and mobile banking services along with excellent customer service. This method requires you to choose the desired products and features, enter your personal details, and then proceed to make your initial contribution to complete the transaction. Currently, all leading banks are allowing investors to open a fixed deposit account online. For instance, if you want to open a fixed deposit account online in SBI, you can check here to know the procedure.
7. Must have knowledge of cumulative and non-cumulative deposit
A cumulative fixed deposit is one on which interest is accumulated until the maturity term ends. For a cumulative FD, you can reinvest the interest you gain on a regular basis, reaping the benefits of compounding and receiving the accrued interest at maturity or the end of the term. The interest earned on a non-cumulative fixed deposit is paid to the depositor on a regular basis. Interest is paid at periods ranging from monthly to quarterly and semi-annually. Since the force of compounding is not fulfilled, it pays less interest than cumulative FD. In the cumulative alternative, FD returns can be augmented. The interest earned is re-invested on a regular basis in this account. As a result, interest on the FD at the end of the term is higher than on a typical non-cumulative fixed deposit, and returns are significantly enhanced.
8. Make investing online your habit
If you invest online, some non-banking finance companies’ fixed deposits give a slightly higher interest rate, starting at 0.10 percent. We may use the Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit as an example. This FD gives regular customers attractive rates of up to 6.50 percent, with an additional rate benefit of 0.10 percent for investing online. Senior citizens, however, are not eligible for this additional benefit. They will, though, get 0.25 percent higher on their deposits. For senior citizens, Bajaj Finance FD rates go up to 6.75%. Bajaj Finance FD is also rated FAAA/Stable by CRISIL and MAAA/Stable by ICRA which ensures a higher level of safety. However, you should always opt for AAA-rated company fixed deposits. Moreover, if you just look at the credit rating, you should also keep in mind that company FDs are not insured by the DICGC.
