Demand Deposit Vs. Time Deposit

Understand the key differences between demand deposits and time deposits.
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Demand Deposit Vs.Time Deposit
OPEN FD
3 min
16 July 2024

Navigating different types of bank accounts can be confusing. Two common options you will encounter are time deposits and demand deposits. While both store your money safely, they differ significantly in terms of accessibility, interest rates, and purpose. Understanding these differences is crucial for making informed decisions about where to keep your hard-earned money.

Demand deposit vs time deposit: Difference

Feature

Demand deposit

Time deposit

Liquidity

Highly liquid. Funds are readily accessible through withdrawals, checks, debit cards, or online transfers.

Low liquidity. Funds are locked in for a predetermined period (tenure). Early withdrawal typically incurs penalties.

Interest rates

Typically offer lower interest rates compared to time deposits.

Generally, offer higher interest rates compared to demand deposits due to the locked-in nature of the funds.

Minimum deposit

May have lower minimum deposit requirements compared to time deposits.

May have higher minimum deposit requirements, especially for high-interest rate CDs.

Goals

Ideal for everyday expenses, emergency funds, or short-term savings goals.

Suitable for long-term savings goals, building a nest egg, or earning a guaranteed return on a specific amount.

Flexibility

Offer high flexibility in accessing and managing your funds.

Limited flexibility due to the fixed tenure.

 

Demand deposit accounts meaning

Demand deposits refer to funds held in a bank account that can be withdrawn by the account holder at any time without prior notice to the bank. These deposits are considered to be payable on demand and are typically held in saving account. Demand deposits are highly liquid and provide easy access to funds for everyday transactions, such as paying bills, making purchases, or withdrawing cash from ATM.

Time deposit accounts meaning

A time deposit, commonly known as a fixed deposit (FD) or term deposit, is a type of instrument offered by many financial institutions. In a time, deposit, the account holder agrees to deposit a certain amount of money for a specified period, known as the term or tenure. During this time, the deposited amount earns a fixed rate of interest, which is typically higher than that offered by regular savings accounts. The funds in a time deposit are locked in for the agreed-upon period, and withdrawal before the maturity date may incur penalties or loss of interest.

Time deposits are considered to be low-risk investments and are often used by individuals to save money for specific financial goals or to earn higher interest on idle funds.

Fixed deposit variants

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Digital FD Only on App/Web

INTEREST RATES UP TO
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42 months

INTEREST RATES UP TO
8.85% p.a.
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FD - Age below 60

INTEREST RATES UP TO
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FD - Senior Citizen

INTEREST RATES UP TO
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FD – Special Tenure

INTEREST RATES UP TO
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Also read: What is Recurring Deposit

Demand deposit vs Time deposit: Pros and cons

Here is an overview of demand deposits and time deposits, along with their pros and cons:

A. Demand deposits

Pros:

  • Easy access: The biggest perk of demand deposits is their flexibility. You can withdraw your money anytime through ATMs, or online transfers. This makes them ideal for everyday spending, managing bills, or covering unexpected expenses.
  • Transaction convenience: Demand deposits often offer features like cheque or online transfer, simplifying your financial transactions.
  • Minimal fees: Many basic saving account come with no monthly maintenance fees, while some savings accounts might offer limited free withdrawals.

Cons:

  • Lower interest rates: Due to their high accessibility, demand deposits typically offer lower interest rates compared to time deposits.
  • Temptation to spend: Having easy access to your money might tempt you to spend more than you intended.

B. Time deposits

Pros:

  • Higher interest rates: By committing your money for a fixed term, time deposits generally offer significantly higher interest rates compared to demand deposits. The longer the term you choose, the higher the potential interest you can earn.
  • Goal-focused saving: Time deposits are excellent for saving towards specific long-term goals like retirement, a down payment on a house, or a child's education. Locking in your money helps resist the urge to spend it and allows it to grow at a fixed rate of interest.
  • Predictable returns: Time deposits offer fixed interest rates throughout the chosen term. This allows you to predict your returns and make better financial plans.

Cons:

  • Limited access: You cannot withdraw your money from a FD before the maturity date. This can be inconvenient if you face an emergency.
  • Early withdrawal penalty: If you need to withdraw your money early, you will likely incur a penalty that reduces the interest earned on the FD.

Also read: Certificate of Deposit Meaning

Choosing the right account for your needs

Now that you understand the core differences, let us understand which account might be best for you:

1. Demand deposit: This is the ideal choice for:

  • Everyday expenses: Easy access makes it perfect for regular transactions like groceries, bills, or shopping.
  • Emergency fund: Having a readily available pool of money in a savings account allows you to handle unexpected costs without dipping into investments or incurring debt.
  • Short-term savings goals: Saving for a vacation, down payment, or upcoming expense can be easily managed with a demand deposit account.

2. Time deposit: This is the ideal choice for:

  • Long-term goals: Fixed deposit are perfect for saving towards long-term goals like retirement, education, or a big purchase down the line. Locking in your money ensures you do not spend it impulsively and allows it to grow with guaranteed interest.
  • Higher returns: If you have money you do not need immediate access to, a FD can offer a significant increase in your interest earnings compared to a savings account.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between demand deposits and time deposits is key to making informed decisions that align with your financial objectives. Demand deposits provide the liquidity and flexibility needed for daily financial management, while time deposits offer a path to higher savings over time. Assessing your financial needs and goals will guide you towards the right choice, ensuring your money works effectively for you.

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Disclaimer

As regards deposit taking activity of Bajaj Finance Ltd (BFL), the viewers may refer to the advertisement in the Indian Express (Mumbai Edition) and Loksatta (Pune Edition) furnished in the application form for soliciting public deposits or refer https://www.bajajfinserv.in/fixed-deposit-archives
The company is having a valid Certificate of Registration dated March 5, 1998 issued by the Reserve Bank of India under section 45 IA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. However, the RBI does not accept any responsibility or guarantee about the present position as to the financial soundness of the company or for the correctness of any of the statements or representations made or opinions expressed by the company and for repayment of deposits/discharge of the liabilities by the company.

For the FD calculator the actual returns may vary slightly if the Fixed Deposit tenure includes a leap year.