FD (Fixed deposits) are the safest and simplest form of financial instruments. The interest rate on fixed deposits are higher than that offered on savings account. Some banks offer loans against Fixed Deposit Certificates at competitive interest rate. Some banks also offer credit card with the credit limit up to the amount of the fixed deposit amount. Fixed deposits are permitted for up to 10 years only. The longer the term period, higher is the interest rate provided the repo rates don’t fall. The companies nowadays offer company fixed deposits. But these are not regulated by the RBI.
Company Fixed Deposits are deposits placed by investors with companies for a fixed period of time at an agreed rate of interest. The Financial Institutions and Non-Banking Finance Companies accept the Company Fixed Deposits. They are mobilised by the government under the Section 58A. They are unsecured deposits and therefore if the company defaults, the investor cannot sell the documents to recover the capital. Thus making it a risky investment decision. Company fixed deposits are provided when the companies need cash flow but cannot issue shares, they offer fixed deposits at profitable rates.
The yield on your deposits vary from individual to individual. You can earn higher interest than that of your colleague as u are in a higher tax bracket and the investment returns are less. You need to optimise the fixed deposits’ utilisation. It can be done through building an emergency fund by opening a fixed deposit account. The money kept aside for emergencies can also earn returns. When a person is setting up new investment base, it is advised that he open a deposit account rather than taking credit. The fixed deposit will appreciate his income potential. By investing in deposits, the individual is ensuring that he has a safety cushion of money to back him up.
When you are investing do not end up investing in high risk investments such as moving investments in equity sector, commodities or even real estate for that matter. You can instead even it out with investing in bank or company fixed deposits. If you wish to save taxes, then you can invest for fixed deposits in your parent’s names as long as they don’t have taxable income. The interest earned on the fixed deposit is tax-free for up to Rs.2 lakhs and up to Rs.2.5 lakhs if they are senior citizens. Senior citizens also earn 0.25% to 0.5% additional interest on the fixed deposits. You can also invest in your eldest child’s name and save interest up to Rs.2 lakhs as it is tax-free.
Fixed deposits also play an important role in the consolidation of investments when you approach retirement. When you are retired, you don’t really have a fixed source of income other than pension. That is when fixed deposits play a pivotal role. You can invest in fixed deposits for different tenure to meet you various financial needs in the future.
But, be very careful when you choose the bank to invest your fixed deposits in as the small co-operative banks may not be able to secure your money at the time of bankruptcy. The rule is that the bank must secure each investors for up to Rs.1 lakh per investor per bank. But, the company fixed deposits do not have any assurance as they are not regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. Keep in mind that the company fixed deposit are unsecure and you have no collateral. But since the risk is higher, the interest rate is also higher. Exercise caution before investing.
