We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Finance

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Pros and Cons of Fixed Deposit Schemes?

Jessica Ellis
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,332
Share

Fixed deposit schemes allow investors to invest their money at a fixed rate of interest for a fixed amount of time. Available from many financial institutions, fixed deposit schemes allow a very safe form of investing, but have numerous factors that may be disadvantages. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of investing in fixed deposit schemes can help an investor or company decide if this type of account will be the best match.

One of the major advantages of fixed deposit schemes is that most are considered nearly risk-free investments. The fixed rate of interest guarantees earnings of a certain amount, based on the principal, and does not require any investment knowledge on the part of the account holder. In the US and many other regions, fixed deposit schemes are backed by government insurance against loss.

Another advantage to fixed deposit schemes is that they provide a higher rate of interest returns than normal savings accounts. While the principal amount cannot be withdrawn until maturity, some plans allow periodic withdrawal of the interest earned by the account. Using a fixed account will help money be more productive in the long run than a traditional savings account, and with less risk than other investment accounts.

A major factor in fixed deposit schemes that may be seen as an advantage or disadvantage is that principal funds cannot be accessed under any circumstances until the account reaches maturity. Putting money in a fixed account is essentially saying good-bye to it for a period of several years. Even in an emergency, the money cannot be reached, although some financial institutions will allow a customer to use a fixed account as collateral for an emergency loan. For people who have a habit of squandering funds, this inaccessibility may actually be an advantage.

Many experts consider the largest disadvantage of a fixed account to be its inflexibility of interest. If interest rates skyrocket due to economic changes, a person who has invested the majority of his savings in a fixed account will not be able to take advantage of new rates. Stuck with the interest rate agreed upon, the account holder may still make money, but may make far less than in a variable rate account when the market is good. On the other hand, if interest rates drop sharply, the investor has the security of knowing that his returns will stay the same regardless of the change.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Jessica Ellis
By Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis brings a unique perspective to her work as a writer for WiseGeek. While passionate about drama and film, Jessica enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics, creating content that is both informative and engaging for readers.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-fixed-deposit-schemes.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.