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Deposits – Bank Deposits in India – Know about RD & FD Accounts

Updated on :  

08 min read

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Latest Update

Budget 2021 update: It has been proposed to exempt the senior citizens from filing income tax returns if pension income and interest income are their only annual income source. Section 194P has been newly inserted to enforce the banks to deduct tax on senior citizens more than 75 years of age who have a pension and interest income from the bank.

Primarily, banks offer two kinds of deposit accounts. These are demand deposits like current/saving account and term deposits like fixed or recurring deposits. When you open a deposit account in a bank, you become an account holder or a depositor.Saving accounts are used to meet daily on-demand requirements of cash. For example, you hold a saving bank account with the bank having cheque book facility. The bank asks you to maintain a minimum balance of Rs 1000. In return, the bank pays you an interest at the rate of 4% per annum.

You may operate the saving account using an ATM card also. Banks impose limits on the frequency and amount of withdrawal using ATMs. The deposit rates on saving account keeps changing based on RBI’s revision of policy rates. Banks offer lower interest rates on saving account as compared to term deposits. It is because of this reason, investors opt for term deposit accounts.A term deposit account is used to hold money for a fixed period of time. In return for this, the bank pays interest on the term deposits. However, you are not allowed to withdraw your money before expiry of the fixed duration. For example, you hold a fixed deposit (FD) of Rs 10,000 for a period of five years with the bank. In return, the bank pays you an interest at the rate of 10% per annum.

Why do I need to maintain deposits at the bank?

Nowadays, maintaining a bank account has become a norm. You need to provide your bank account number on various occasions; like receiving the salary from employer or subsidy from the government under a scheme. There are various other reasons to maintain a deposit account:

Easy access to money

Keeping your money in a bank account is wiser than stacking it under your mattress. It is a much more secure way and you can withdraw your money whenever you need it. In fact, you may even transfer it to another account using a secure gateway.

Earn returns on bank account

Storing money in safe deposit vault at home doesn’t attract any interest. If you will, instead, deposit in a bank account your money will earn interest. However, that amount of interest is ineffective to counter inflationary pressures in the economy.

Inculcates habit of saving

Maintaining a bank account like a recurring deposit (RD) can help in inculcating savings habit. RDs are basically an investment tool which allows investors to make regular monthly payments and save money for the long term. 

Fixed Deposits (FDs): How they work

Fixed Deposits have been a tried-and-tested savings method for a long time. Almost all banks in India have Fixed Deposits schemes available for their customers. You can read more about the rules and processes of obtaining FDs here. While FDs have been the conventional investment tools, you need to keep some things in mind before going for one:

Spread your investments

If you want to invest in an FD, do not park all your investments in a single bank. You need to know that bank FDs aren’t as secure as you think. In case of bank default, you will be eligible for a maximum compensation of Rs 5 lakh from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) with effect from 4 February 2020.  This happens even though you held deposits of amount higher than Rs 1 lakh. If you have Rs 5 Lakh to invest, then hold FDs of Rs 1 lakh in five banks rather than Rs 5 lakh in a single bank.

Premature withdrawals attracts penalty

You need to know that FD involves a lock-in period equal to duration of the investment. Before going for an FD, review your income needs for the horizon. If you institute an FD for a 5-year term, then the bank won’t allow for withdrawals before completion of 5 years. In case you need your money before maturity, bank will impose a penalty. If the penalty is 1%, then you may lose more than you earned during the tenure. Thus, it’s advisable not to break your FDs before maturity.

Interest earned is clubbed in your income

FDs aren’t as tax-efficient as mutual funds and equities. The interest earned on FDs will be clubbed in your total income and taxed as per your income slab. Suppose you create an FD in the name of your spouse. The money deployed to create FD won’t attract tax but the interest earned will form part of your income and be taxed. Equity-Linked Saving Scheme (ELSS) can be a tax-efficient way to invest and grow wealth. It has the shortest lock-in period. Moreover, it offers higher returns than FD.

Recurring Deposits (RDs): Are they for you?

RD or Recurring Deposits are an investment tool which allows investors to make regular monthly payments and save money for the long term. Investors can choose the tenure of the deposit and the minimum monthly payment they wish to make according to their convenience. RD schemes are generally more flexible than FD schemes and are generally preferred by those who want to start an account for the purpose of saving money and building a rainy-day fund. Here are some things you should keep in mind while opting for a Recurring Deposit:

Use RDs for short-term goals

Recurring deposits are the ideal products to opt for when planning short-term goals you wish to realize in the next 1-3 yrs. These may include saving up for a downpayment of your new home, paying for your children’s education, renovating your home, saving up for a degree abroad and so on.

Be aware of the rules and penalties

Recurring deposits are very easy to open. Most banks in the country have this facility. But, they do come with some hidden charges. For instance, if you were to withdraw the amount in the RD account before the tenure finishes, you may have to pay certain charges. It is important to know these rules before you start an RD account so you can be better prepared for the future. Apart from these, there are other types of accounts in which you can deposit your money:

Current Account

A current account is a type of bank account which allows the user to carry out a significantly high number of transactions. The money in this account is always available for immediate access and is usually operated by business individuals, proprietary concerns, public and private companies, associations, trusts, etc. who have reasons to make frequent and high-volume transactions with their banks.

Savings Account

A savings account is a like a bank vault in which you store your hard-earned money. Unlike a current account, a savings account does not allow unlimited transactions and has no overdraft facility. There are different types of savings account that can be opened depending on the customer’s need:

  • Regular Savings Account: These are the easiest to open. Such accounts do not see huge transactions and are mostly a virtual safe for storing excess cash.
  • Salary Based Savings Account: Many corporations tie up with banks to help their employees open a salaried account. This helps the company as the task of disbursing the monthly salaries becomes easier.
  • Savings Accounts for Senior Citizens: These accounts are created exclusively for senior citizens with added privileges and benefits.
  • Savings Accounts for Children and Minors: These accounts are created exclusively for children and minors under the guardianship of their parents.
  • Exclusive Benefits Accounts for Women: As the name suggests, this is an account exclusively for female customers and entrepreneurs. It is a relatively new offering from some banks and comes with added benefits.
  • Zero Balance Savings Account: A savings account where the customer need not maintain a minimum balance for the account to remain functional.
  • Linked Savings Account: A linked account is one which is linked to either a given Checking Account or a NOW Account (Negotiable Order of Withdrawal).
  • Post Office Savings Account: These are savings accounts which can be opened in a Post Office.

All Articles

  1. Click here for interest rates, eligibility criteria, interest rates for senior citizens, features and benefits, and more about Yes Bank.
  2. Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), one of the oldest banks of India, offers several different FD schemes that suit the various needs of customers. Here’s all you should know.
  3. Indian Bank offers four different fixed deposit (FD) schemes to its retail customers. Find out the details here.
  4. Fixed Deposit (FD) is an investment avenue that offers capital protection and guaranteed returns. Compare different FD interest rates from different banks before you choose. Know about who should invest, advantages & disadvantages, documents required and comparison with other investments.
  5. Tax-saving fixed deposit (FD) account is a type of fixed deposit account that offers a tax deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
  6. Fixed deposit (FD) accounts have been a popular choice for saving money since it has a constant interest rate guaranteed at the time of maturity. Know more on FD accounts here.
  7. Recurring deposit (RD) is an investment instrument offered by banks and post office. Under this, investors can invest a nominal amount monthly and earn a percentage of interest on the deposit.
  8. Fixed deposits are an investment instrument provided by banks and other financial institutions such as non-banking financial institutions (NBFCs).
  9. A fixed deposit or FD is a financial instrument by banks/ NBFCs that assure capital protection and income in the form of interest.
  10. Term Deposits is an investment instrument in which a lump-sum sum amount is deposited at an agreed rate of interest for a fixed period of time.
  11. A fixed deposit or FD is a financial instrument by banks/ NBFCs that assure capital protection and income in the form of interest.
  12. FD / Fixed Deposit is an investment avenue that offers capital protection and guaranteed returns. Compare different FD interest rates from different banks before you choose. Know about who should invest, advantages & disadvantages, documents required and comparison with other investments.
  13. Are Recurring Deposits the best investment tool for you? Learn more about RD interest rates & compare other investment options before you make your choice.
  14. Indian Bank offers four different fixed deposit (FD) schemes to its retail customers. Find out the details here.
  15. Central Bank of India offers competitive interest rates for a range of deposit periods to suit your needs. Check out the types of FD schemes available and the interest rates here.
  16. Canara Bank offers a few fixed deposit (FD) schemes that allow the retail customers to deposit lump sum savings in the account. Senior citizens may get an additional interest rate based on the tenure chosen.
  17. Bank of India offers fixed deposit schemes that help you put that lump sum amount you have saved over a period. Find out more information here.
  18. Fixed deposit schemes allow people to invest money for a designated period, post which a fixed rate is to be paid for the deposit period.
  19. HSBC Bank offers different Fixed Deposit (FD) schemes to cater to the needs of different classes of people. Read on to know more about the bank's FD schemes.
  20. IDBI Bank offers a few fixed deposit schemes so that they can cater to the needs of people with different requirement standards. Read on to know more.
  21. Read on to know Citibank’s fixed deposit options and other relevant details in terms of interest rates and deposit periods.
  22. Bank of Baroda, a public sector bank of India, offers a few fixed deposit (FD) schemes that cover the varying needs of retail customers.
  23. Check Kotak Bank FD Interest Rates for latest year. Compare Kotak Bank Fixed Deposit Interest Rates for Various Tenure (Short and Long Term).
  24. Axis Bank offers a few fixed deposit (FD) schemes targeting the domestic and non-resident Indian customers. Here is all that you need to know.
  25. We have compiled the current interest rates offered by HDFC bank on different tenures and the various FD schemes available and their necessary information.
  26. Check Allahabad Bank FD Interest Rates for latest year. Compare Allahabad Bank Fixed Deposit Interest Rates for Various Tenure (Short and Long Term).
  27. Punjab National Bank offers a variety of fixed deposit (FD) schemes to suit the varying needs of the retail customers. Here is all that you should know about PNB FD schemes.
  28. ICICI Bank offers fixed deposit (FD) accounts to its customers with a range of deposit tenures and interest rates. Read on to understand the FD schemes better.
  29. Check the latest IDFC FD Interest Rates for various tenures as specified by the bank here. Also, find all that you need to know about the bank's FD schemes.
  30. Here is all the information you must know about fixed/term deposit schemes offered by Andhra Bank.
  31. Check Corporation Bank FD Interest Rates for latest year. Compare Corporation Bank Fixed Deposit Interest Rates for Various Tenure (Short and Long Term).
  32. Find out the interest rates applicable, special features of FD schemes, eligibility criteria, documents required, and other details about RBL Bank FD schemes here.
  33. SBI provides attractive interest rates on customers' deposits over the tenure chosen by the customers. Here is all that you need to know about State Bank of India's FD schemes, interest rates, eligibility criteria, and other aspects.
  34. RBL Bank offers Recurring Deposit (RD) accounts that help you build the habit of saving regularly. Read on to know more.
  35. Check Corporation Bank RD Interest Rates for latest year. Compare Corporation Bank Recurring Deposit Interest Rates for Various Tenure (Short & Long Term).
  36. Check Syndicate Bank RD Interest Rates for latest year. Compare Syndicate Bank Recurring Deposit Interest Rates for Various Tenure (Short and Long Term).
  37. Check Andhra Bank RD Interest Rates for latest year. Compare Andhra Bank Recurring Deposit Interest Rates for Various Tenure (Short and Long Term).
  38. Punjab National Bank (PNB) encourages a healthy saving habit for income regularisation through its Recurring Deposit (RD) schemes.
  39. Check Allahabad Bank RD Interest Rates for latest year. Compare Allahabad Bank Recurring Deposit Interest Rates for Various Tenure (Short and Long Term).
  40. Central Bank of India offers Recurring Deposit (RD) schemes to make systematic savings with the benefit of fixed returns. Know more to choose the right RD scheme for you.
  41. Check Canara Bank RD Interest Rates 2021. Compare Canara Bank Recurring Deposit Interest Rates for Various Tenure (Short and Long Term).
  42. Bank of India Recurring Deposit (RD) account allows you to build up your savings systematically with monthly fixed deposits over some time. Know the various options available here.
  43. IDBI Bank’s Recurring Deposit (RD) account provides a channel for you to save money regularly and earn interest on your payments. Here are all the details regarding IDBI Bank’s RD account you need to know.
  44. Bank of Baroda offers two recurring deposit (RD) schemes to its retail customers that cover both fixed monthly deposit and flexible monthly deposit features.
  45. Check IDFC RD Interest Rates for latest year. Compare IDFC Recurring Deposit Interest Rates for Various Tenure (Short and Long Term).
  46. Union Bank of India Recurring Deposits (RD) encourage you to develop a healthy saving habit. Read more to learn about the RD products offered.
  47. Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Recurring Deposit is a valuable saving scheme that offers a good interest rate so you can reach your financial goals sooner.
  48. Axis Bank’s Recurring Deposit (RD) scheme allows you to make regular monthly investments and earn competitive interest rates. Read on to know more.
  49. Indian Bank offers two types of recurring deposit (RD) schemes with different features and functionalities. Read through for more information.
  50. ICICI Bank’s Recurring Deposit (RD) account allows you to achieve your short-term goals with fixed returns. Know more about the available schemes here.
  51. HDFC Bank offers two different RD schemes for the varying requirements of customers. Check out all the necessary information regarding HDFC Bank RD schemes here.
  52. Here is all you need to know about State Bank of India (SBI) RD schemes, such as interest rates, features, eligibility, tax liability, and more.
  53. Deposit rates on fixed deposits have come down over the past year, further reducing the post-tax interest. Should you still invest in FDs?