Types of Deposits and Accounts in India
Various fixed income products have numerous investment options to generate stable returns. Among them, most investors prefer deposits to include in their investment portfolios. Safe deposits help investors to grow their funds over time. To identify the most appropriate investment option based on your financial goals and requirements, you must know different types of deposits and the difference between Bank Deposits and NBFC Deposits.
What are the types of deposits?
Find the different types of deposits below:
1. Savings Account
An interest-bearing deposit account kept at a bank is a savings account. Despite these accounts' relatively low-interest rates, their security and dependability make them a fantastic choice for keeping cash on hand for urgent needs.
Savings accounts are a fantastic choice for short-term or emergency funding because they provide interest while keeping your money accessible. It often has no maximum withdrawal limit, and the interest is regarded as taxable income.
Features of savings account:
- A savings bank account is a secure location to save extra money.
- Savings Account interest rates can range from 3.5% to 7% annually.
- Simple access to online and mobile banking.
- Most banks also offer various insurance options, including coverage for personal accidents and death, to customers with savings accounts.
- Your debit card can be used at ATMs across India.
2. Current Account
A current account is a deposit account kept by people who regularly do a disproportionately high volume of banking activities. It is developed by the bank at the applicant's request and made accessible often or instantly.
Current accounts offer a wide range of tailored alternatives to help with financial transactions related to liquid deposits. Additionally, current accounts enable the bank's cheque feature to pay creditors. In contrast to savings accounts, current accounts typically don't pay interest and have higher minimum balance requirements. The most significant benefit of a current bank account is that its holders can readily use an overdraft facility up to an agreed limit.
Features of current account
- The primary goal of the current account is to promote efficient commercial transactions, and it needs a larger minimum balance than a savings account.
- Transactions permitted by a current account go beyond those permitted by a savings account.
- It simplifies frequent transactions like money transfers, cheque deposits, and cash withdrawals.
- There is no cap on the number of transactions that can be made daily.
3. Fixed Deposits (FDs)
A fixed deposit is a type of account wherein a depositor needs to invest a lump sum amount for a fixed period at a fixed rate of return. The depositor receives secured returns at a fixed interest rate throughout the FD tenor.
The interest earned on FDs is taxable. The interest amount is clubbed to the total income of the depositor and taxed at the applicable income tax slab.
- FDs are latent to market volatility, so you earn profitable returns.
- Interest rates on FD are higher than a savings account.
- It is a flexible investment in terms of investment amount and tenor. Tenor and investment amount differs from institution to institution.
- The FD tenor ranges from seven days to ten years, depending on the choice of the FD issuer.
- The FD issuer imposes a penalty on premature withdrawal.
After completing the FD tenor, the FD issuer pays back the principal to the depositor. The interest rate and payout frequency depend on the type of fixed deposit an investor chooses.
Cumulative FDs vs. non-cumulative FDs
A depositor can choose cumulative or non-cumulative FDs, depending on the investment and liquidity requirements.
1. Cumulative FDs
These FDs accumulate interest and offer a single outgo of interest at the maturity date. It reinvests and compounds the interest amount till the maturity date. Such types of FDs are preferred by investors looking for wealth accumulation safely.
2. Non-cumulative FDs
These FDs provide regular interest payouts at a regular interval chosen by the depositor. Depending on the financial requirements, an investor can select the interval - monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly to receive interest payouts. Such FDs are preferred by individuals looking for regular cash flow to meet their expenses, like senior citizens.
You can make a cheque deposit to invest offline, or you can open an online deposit account.
3. Recurring Deposits (RDs)
Recurring Deposits (RDs) are a regular savings tool. They allow an individual to save money for the long term with regular and fixed monthly payments. Depositors can choose the minimum monthly payment according to their convenience. RDs are selected by an individual looking to build a rainy-day fund. It provides higher interest rates than a savings bank account.
- RD investing helps depositors to develop a savings habit and instills a sense of financial discipline over time.
- An investor can start an RD account with a minimal amount.
- The rate of returns on this savings deposit is fixed.
- If the interest exceeds Rs. 40,000 (Rs. 50,000 in case of senior citizens), RDs attract TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) on the interest earned.
Bank Deposits vs. NBFC Deposits vs. Post Office Deposits
Fixed deposits are offered by banks, NBFCs (Non-banking Financial institutions) and post offices. NBFC fixed deposits are also known as a company FD/ corporate FD.
Differentiation
| Basis | Bank Fixed Deposits | NBFC Fixed Deposits | Post Office Term Deposits |
| Issuer | Banks | NBFCs | Post Offices |
| Interest Rate | Lower (up to 5.5%) | Higher (can go as high up to 8.85% as p.a.) | Lower (up to 6.7%) |
| Insurance | Insured by RBI | Uninsured | No concept of insurance |
| Maturity Period | 7 days to 10 years | 12 - 60 months | 1 - 5 years |
| Taxable Interest Amount | If it exceeds Rs. 40,000 (Rs. 50,000 for senior citizens) in a financial year. | If it exceeds Rs. 5,000 | If it exceeds Rs. 40,000 (Rs. 50,000 for senior citizens) in a financial year. |
| TDS waiver | Available | Available | Available |
What allures investors to prefer NBFC FDs is higher interest rate than bank FDs. A slightly high-interest rate can impact returns with a compound effect significantly. On the other hand, bank FDs come with insurance, but with a maximum cap of Rs. 1 lakh only. Thus, you can save more and earn more with your fixed deposits safely.
Benefits of Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposits
- Guaranteed returns at a fixed rate of interest
- Higher returns than bank FDs and post office FDs
- Periodic interest payouts on non-cumulative fixed deposits
- Flexible FD tenure from 12 - 60 months
- The facility of premature withdrawal
- Avail of an easy loan against FDs to meet urgent financial needs
- Calculate your returns beforehand using the Bajaj Finance FD calculator
Annual rate of interest valid for deposits up to Rs. 3 crore(w.e.f 14 November, 2024)
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