Term Deposits Frequently Asked Questions

A term deposit account in a bank is a type of investment where you lock away a portion of your savings for a fixed period in return for earning a set amount of interest.

Opening a term deposit account in a bank is a safe way to earn a stable return on your investment of cash.

Term deposit accounts can be a good way to give your savings an extra boost without the need to actively watch or manage your funds during the term of the deposit.

Term deposit accounts in a bank are a popular type of investment because they’re safe and there’s very little risk that you could lose your money.

If you make a term deposit of up to $250,000 with an authorised deposit-taking institution, it’s guaranteed by the Australian government, which means there’s virtually no risk of losing your money and you’re guaranteed return.

Interest rates vary depending on the length of the term, the amount you deposit and the bank you choose.

Yes, term deposits are covered by the Australian government guarantee.

Under the Financial Claims Scheme, the Australian government guarantees term deposits up to $250,000, capped at one person, per financial institution.

This means that your term deposit (if it’s $250,000 or less) is protected in the unlikely event the bank, building society or credit union collapses.

If you have more than $250,000 in a term deposit with one the one bank, for example, then only up to $250,000 of your principal is covered.

If you’ve got more than $250,000 and you wish to invest in a term deposit, you could consider dividing your money between term deposits and banks (limiting each deposit to $250,000 per bank).

That way all of your deposits are protected by the Australian government guarantee and you will not suffer any financial losses.

Term deposits are flexible, low-risk, and earn you interest over time. But before you apply to open a term deposit, you might be wondering: how do term deposits work?

A term deposit is an agreement you make with a financial institution. This agreement will specify a certain amount of money that you will give the bank for a certain amount of time. In return, you’ll earn a fixed amount of interest on your deposit throughout your term.

Term deposits work as an exchange between a financial institution and an individual. You can think of your term deposit as a loan to the bank. Because you’ve loaned the bank your money, they’re willing to pay you interest on your deposit.

A term deposit refers to when you lock your money in an account for a certain period of time and at a specified interest rate. You will not be able to access your money for the length of the agreed term without incurring a penalty fee.

A long term deposit generally refers to a term deposit that lasts for more than 12 months – which in some cases may be as long as 10 years.

Usually, the longer you store your money, the better the interest rate you’ll get, so a long term deposit will tend to pay higher interest than a short term deposit.

At the end of the term, you can roll over the money (plus the interest you’ve made during the term), or you can withdraw it all.

A term deposit with Suncorp Bank allows you to lock away a specific amount of money at a fixed interest rate for a nominated period. You will need to make a minimum investment of $5,000 and up to $2,000,000, and can select a period from one month to 36 for your investment. Term deposit investments ranging from one to 12 months are based on interest paid at maturity, while investments from 12 to 36 months are based on interest paid annually. 

While the interest rate will differ based on your investment amount and term duration, here are some of the most popular Suncorp Bank business term deposit rates as of January 2021: 

Please note that these interest rates are effective from 13th November 2020 and are subject to change without notice. Moreover, if you choose from an early withdrawal, the interest rate will be adjusted, and other charges are likely to be applied. 

Macquarie Bank’s business term deposit rates vary depending on the duration you choose. Terms start at one month and go up to five years. 

You can invest any amount between $5000 and $1,000,000 and you won’t be charged a fee. You’ll also have the flexibility of choosing when you want to receive the interest and have the option to roll over the balance once the TD matures. You can ask to have the interest deposited into  another bank account if you wish.

The latest Macquarie Bank term deposit rates can be found here. 

If you’re looking to invest your spare business cash, St. George Bank has a variety of term deposit options. You can choose from terms between one month and five years. St. George Bank business term deposit rates vary depending on the duration. 

You can open an account for $1000 to a maximum amount of $2,000,000. You can also opt to receive the interest amount either in your St. George Bank account or another bank account, either by cheque or direct credit.

On maturity, you can automatically rollover the term deposit or close the account. You also can close the account before maturity, however, you’ll need to give 31 days’ notice to the bank.

Citi's business term deposits rates vary based on how long you invest. The bank offers short-term deposits for one, three, six, nine, and 12 months. You can also invest for longer terms between two and five years. The minimum investment is $10,000, and the maximum investment is $2 million.

ME Bank offers a variety of rates for business term deposits, depending on the amount of time you choose. You won’t have to pay any set-up or account-keeping fees for your business deposit. You can invest as little as $5,000 or as much as $2 million with a term duration between one and 60 months. 

The ME business term deposit rate is determined based on the term and when you wish to receive interest payments. 

While rates are set by the lender, you should always check with ME Bank to find out what the term deposit rates are, and which are applicable to your situation. 

If you are looking to bank some funds in a foreign currency and earn interest, you could consider a NAB foreign currency term deposit. The NAB foreign currency term deposit gives you a fixed interest rate for your chosen term but is only available for amounts equivalent to $100,000 (in your chosen currency) or more. 

NAB accepts deposits in a range of foreign currencies and interest is calculated daily. The maximum term of the deposit is 365 days and NAB does not charge a monthly fee for foreign currency term deposits. 

If you live in Australia, you can get more details by calling 1800 865 155. If you are outside the country, you can email [email protected] for more information.