What are the penalties for breaking a term deposit? - by Lara
Term deposits are a secure and predictable investment vehicle with guaranteed returns as long - as you leave the money…
Updated on 09 May, 2022
A term deposit is an investment product that fixes your interest rate for a set period time, usually between six months and five years. A term deposit is commonly referred to as a TD, but can also be known as a certificate of deposit or CD.
There are many term deposit rates, and term deposits are simple, safe and reliable, offering a guaranteed return over a fixed period.
With InfoChoice, you can search and compare the best value term deposits from a range of lenders, or work out how much interest you’ll earn by using our term deposit calculator and savings calculator. Some accounts will take you the provider’s website so you can open your account online today.
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For information on how we've selected these "Sponsored" and "Featured" products click hereA term deposit is an investment account used to save money. Term Deposit accounts are similar to Savings accounts but have a few main differences.
If you open a term deposit, your intention is to earn interest over time on the money that you deposit. A term deposit’s interest rate and term length are fixed which means you are able to calculate in advance how much interest you will earn on your savings, regardless of fluctuations in the market.
The biggest difference between a savings account and a term deposit is that once you have deposited the money into your term deposit, you won’t be able to access these funds easily until the end of your contracted term. Once you have reached the end of this period you can choose to reinvest a portion or all of the funds at the interest rate stated by your bank, or you can withdraw the funds.
If you have some money that you know you won’t need for a while, a term deposit could be a good option for you. It removes the temptation to spend the money as a fee is charged if you want to withdraw before the term is finished.
The following banks and institutions have a Term Deposit offering:
AMP | ANZ | Australian Military Bank | Australian Unity |
Auswide Bank | Bank Australia (bankmecu) | Bank of Melbourne | BankSA |
BankVic | Bankwest | Bank of Queensland | Bank of Sydney |
BCU | Bendigo Bank | Beyond Bank | Citibank |
CommBank | CUA | Delphi Bank | Easy Street |
First Choice Credit Union | FirstMac | FirstOption Bank | G&C; Mutual Bank |
Here are some of the important things you’ll need when opening a term deposit:
When you open a term account you will need to provide a phone number and email address. Make sure both are valid as this is how they contact you in relation to your account, particularly when it’s about to mature.
Most times you’ll need to provide some form of photo ID, such as a Driver’s licence, Medicare Card, or passport. However, if you already have a bank account with the bank you are considering taking out your Term Deposit with, you may not need to provide any additional ID.
If you already have an account with the bank, simply give them your existing account or member number. If you don’t belong with them, you will need to sign up. Some sign up fees may apply.
You’ll need an account for the interest from your term deposit to be paid into.
Many banks require a minimum of $1000. Others may request $5000. Then there are banks such as FirstOption Bank and Bank of Sydney which require a minimum deposit of $250,000.
You can choose anywhere from 1 month to 5 years. The longer your term, the better rate you will receive. Just remember that if you need to access your funds you will need to provide 31 days notice and you will be charged a penalty fee.
A budget is quite important. If you budget correctly, you will be able to ensure you have extra funds outside of the term deposit that you can access in case of emergency so as to avoid any penalty fees on the Term Deposit when accessing your funds from there.
The fixed interest rate is by far the most important aspect to consider when selecting a term deposit. This rate will determine how much interest you’ll earn on your deposit over the term of your account.
It is also important to consider the length of time (the term) that your funds will be locked and unavailable to you.
There are generally two categories of term deposits: short-term and long-term deposits.
Short-term deposits can be 1-3 months long, while long-term deposits can last many years. You will usually find that longer terms often come with higher interest rates than shorter terms, but always check with your bank to see what is offered by them.
You may want to consider the frequency that you’ll be paid interest on your term deposit. Term deposits pay interest in a number of ways: annually, semi-annually, quarterly, monthly, or at maturity (the end of the term). You may be allowed to choose which bank account to have the interest paid into.
Also look into the roll over (reinvesting funds from a security that has reached its maturity term) terms that your bank offers. Some term deposits will earn you extra interest if you roll them over immediately. Always check that you are getting the best offer you can.
When comparing Term Deposit, you need only consider two things:
While they also have advantages and disadvantages, most people will base their decisions on what interest rate they are receiving and how long they will put their money away for.
Do be mindful of automatic rollover policies and early exit fees, however what you really want is a product that suits your interest rate and term length requirements.
A Term Deposit calculator is invaluable in helping you work out how much interest you’ll earn.
Low interest rates are great for home owners, but not so good for savings account holders.
In fact, low interest rates mean low returns on your savings, so that beach house or new car may take a little longer to save for.
Due to the low interest rate, currently a record low 0.25 per cent, Term Deposit rates are also at all-time lows. This is in contrast to Term Deposit rates being around 17 per cent in the late 1980s.
That doesn’t mean they are ineffective. It just means it will take you longer to make money. Bear in mind, however, that the more money you put into a Term Deposit and the longer the term, the bigger your return will be.
Of all of InfoChoice’s providers, each will have several Term Deposit products with varying rates.
That means you have a lot of products to choose from, including a wide array of differing interest rates.
For instance, ME Bank offers a 180 day base rate of 1.00 per cent for its ME Bank Business Term Deposit; Citi is offering a 90 day base rate of 0.70 per cent for its 3, 6, 9 or 12 month deposits for balances starting at $10,000; My State Bank has two products, one at 0.90 per cent (270 days base rate) and the other at 0.85 per cent (80 days base rate). Their 12 month online Term Deposit is 1.00 per cent.
The factors that influence the day to day interest rates of a Term Deposit include:
Of course, when you take out a Term Deposit, your interest rate is fixed. You are locked into that interest rate for the entire term. So, whether the bank drops its interest rates or not, you will not be affected until your term has expired.
In most cases you won’t be charged any fees on your term deposit.
However, always be aware that penalty fees apply.
You will usually be hit with a penalty fee if you decide to access your money before the end of your term. Each lender charges a different amount so always check with your lender to see what the fees might be.
It is always possible to access your money from a Term Deposit but the purpose of having an account such as this is so you don’t easy access your money and let your funds grow. As such, your banks may choose to charge you a penalty fee.
To withdraw any money from your term deposit, whether it be the full amount or just a smaller portion, you’ll need to give 31 days notice.
You may be charged a penalty fee for early withdrawal and the interest rate on your term deposit may be reduced.
With most term deposits, if you would like to access your money before your term deposit reaches maturity, you will need to give 31 days notice. This is a bank regulation that came into play after the global financial crisis (GFC) when many financial markets found that banks didn’t have enough capital in reserve to survive an economic crisis. The 31 day rule allows the banks to hold onto the funds until they can find new sources of capital.
As with any financial product, term Deposits have their fair share of pros and cons:
Let’s look at the benefits more closely.
One of the biggest advantages of a term deposit is the relatively low risk associated with this type of financial product. Having a fixed rate means your money will be safe if interest rates drop and your interest earned will remain the same throughout the term of your account. In addition to this, there is the Australian government guarantee where deposits up to $250,000 in Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs) will remain safe.
Term Deposits can help you save your money a lot quicker than a basic savings account would. The fact a financial institution offering a Term Deposit product will charge you a fee to access your money early, is a great deterrent for most people to keep their money in the Term deposit account.
Another potential benefit to Term Deposits is that you always know what to expect from the product and they are low maintenance. With the interest rate being fixed, you can guarantee exactly how much you will earn for the duration of your Term Deposit.
One disadvantage of a Term Deposit is that you can’t access your money during the term without being charged a penalty fee. If you feel you need to access your funds before your term is up, you may want to look into putting your money into a savings account instead.
Another disadvantage, is that you are locked into a fixed rate. Therefore, if interest rates go up, you won’t benefit from this rate rise during the term of your account.
Applying for a term deposit is similar to opening any bank account. However, you will need to take the following into consideration when looking into opening up a term deposit:
Once you have considered the above, you can start the process. Here are the steps to applying:
Tools, such as the InfoChoice comparison tables and calculators, allow investors to search and compare the most competitive term deposit accounts for their financial needs.
Once you have compared Term Deposit products, you can select the term deposit that best suits you. You can usually make an application online, but some banks do prefer you go into a branch to set it up. It is usually easier to open a Term Deposit at a bank that you already have accounts with.
As with most bank accounts, you may need to provide proof of identification to the bank.
Once you have been approved, it’s time to deposit a lump sum into your term deposit so it can start to accrue interest.
Once you have locked your money away in a Term Deposit, it isn’t that easy to make changes to that account so it’s best to do all your research before you lock it in.
One of the best ways to maximise your earnings is to find the highest interest rate possible. This is an easy, low maintenance way to know your money is working hard for you with no effort from you.
Another option is to choose a special term deposit that offers compounded interest rather than the basic general interest. Compounded interest means that you can earn interest on your interest, meaning you can make more money in a shorter amount of time. Keep in mind, these types of Term Deposits may not always have the highest interest rates.
Finding a Term Deposit that suits your needs doesn’t have to be difficult. These are the things you should look for:
These questions are important when comparing term deposits:
Comparing the different rates available is extremely important if you have a specific term length that you would like to lock away your savings for and earn interest over that time.
Term Deposits can last anywhere from 3 months to 5 years.
A 3, 6 or 12 month Term Deposit is a short to moderate term savings product and is great if you want to reach a smaller savings goal. Short-term Term deposits are also an excellent money saving tool: you can’t access your money and spend it on impulse purchases because it is locked away.
Your money is locked away for 3, 6 or 12 months and you receive a fixed interest rate.
The interest is calculated daily and paid to you at the end of the term.
You must give 31 days notice if you would like to access your funds, but if you do access the money you will be forfeiting some of your interest.
The longer your term deposit, the higher your interest will be. This means a 3-month term deposit won’t give you the highest amount of interest in comparison to longer terms.
An introductory savings account could also be worth considering for short to moderate term savings goals, however a savings account typically comes with a variable rate, not a fixed one, so you will be subject to fluctuations.
Here are a few things to consider when deciding on a bank for your 3, 6 or 12 month term deposit:
Shop around and compare the different interest rates on offer. All banks offer a different rate. Find the most competitive one.
Usually, the only fee applicable on a term deposit is an early withdrawal fee. Check what the penalty rate will be if you choose to access your money before the term is up.
Most banks have different minimum deposit amounts. Some banks start as low as $500. Others are much higher. Find one that works within your budget.
Tip: You cannot make additional payments into a Term Deposit once the duration is set.
With a 3, 6 or 12 month term deposit you will typically receive your interest earnings once the account reaches maturity. Make sure the interest is calculated daily so you can benefit from compound interest.
No monthly fee. There are no monthly fees or charges for account maintenance. This means your money works harder for you.
Helps you save. You are forced into saving as there is a penalty fee if you want to access your funds before your term ends.
Select how long your term will be. If you feel you only need a short amount of time, select a 3 month term deposit. If you know you can leave the money untouched for a longer period of time, go for a 6 or 12 month term.
You could get a competitive interest rate. The longer your term the more competitive your rates will be.
No access until term deposit matures. Not only is there a penalty if you would like to access your funds early, but you must also provide 31 day before you can access your money. In addition to this, the interest rate may be reduced to a lower rate than a shorter term deposit has.
There’s a minimum balance requirement. The banks usually require a minimum if $1000 to deposit in order to open a term deposit.
Automatic rollover. Some banks will automatically roll the balance into a new Term Deposit when your term has ended. Let them know beforehand of your intention to withdraw the money at the end of your term. If you allow them to automatically roll it over, you may be locked in to a new term deposit with a lower rate.
Long terms deposits are usually anywhere from 1-5 years and are ideal for Australians who are trying to save for major future financial goals.
With long term deposits you will be offered a competitive interest rate which is often calculated on your balance daily. You can choose the frequency that your interest will be paid, so you could select monthly, quarterly, yearly or only at the end of the term.
Always keep in mind, the longer your term is, the higher your rate will be. If you feel that you won’t need to access your funds, make sure to lock in your Term Deposit for the longest amount of time achievable.
As with all Term Deposits, you will need to pay a penalty fee if you access your money before your term ends. You will also need to provide 31 days’ notice to withdraw your funds, so you will not have immediate emergency access if you need it.
Flexibility. With a long term Term Deposit, you have control over how long the term is and when you will receive your interest payments.
No fees. There are no monthly service fees.
Incentive to save. If you access your funds early, you will need to pay a penalty which serves as an incentive to save your money rather than access it.
High interest rate. The longer the term, the higher the interest rate will be.
No bonus interest. There are no introductory offers or bonus interest as you would find in a typical savings accounts offer.
Accessibility. If you access your funds early you will be charged a penalty fee. You are also unable to access the funds quickly in an emergency as you need to give 31 days notice that you would like to withdraw your funds.
If your balance is less than $250,000 your savings are protected by the Australian Government Guarantee Scheme. However, keep the following in mind:
Term deposit roll-over. Once your term reaches maturity, the bank may decide to roll it over into a new account which may have lower rates. Make sure to let your bank know in advance if you would not like this to happen.
Early withdrawals. Not only will you need to pay a penalty fee if you withdraw any money earlier than your term finish date, but the interest calculated will be adjusted to meet the interest you would have received for a shorter term deposit, which means less interest for you.
Should you invest in a Term Deposit or a regular or high-interest savings account?
The answer to that depends on your needs at the time. The difference between the two is the ease at which you can access your money.
With a regular savings account, you can withdraw your money any time you like, usually without fee or penalty.
On the other hand, Term Deposits, penalise you for withdrawing early. If you pull money out of a Term Deposit before it has matured, it is likely you will see a reduction in your interest rate on the remaining balance. You may also be charged an amount of money equivalent to a portion of the interest already earned. If you think you might need to withdraw your money, a saver account is a better option.
A further difference is that a regular saver account will probably have a variable interest rate, contrary to the fixed rates offered by Term Deposits. If the variable rate goes up, this is good news for savers, however this can be unpredictable. A fixed rate gives Term Deposit holders predictability of rate and time.
All financial products come with Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and it is absolutely imperative that you read it.
The PDS outlines exactly where you stand on all issues relating to the product.
If you have previously taken out a Term Deposit with the same bank, you may think the conditions will be the same. However, conditions do change and you need to be aware of what changes have occurred.
Read the PDS to avoid any major surprises and pay particular attention to maturity conditions, prepayment penalties and any associated fees belonging to the Term Deposit.
The overall return on investment for a Term Deposit will be affected by any fees you pay, whether at setup or at maturity.
Cooling off period | if you have taken out a Term Deposit, you will be given a set number of days available to change your investment term or options. During this time, you can withdraw funds or cancel obligations. |
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Debenture | This is a long-term security yielding a fixed rate of interest, issued by a company and secured against assets. In a Term Deposit, you are lending money to the company and in return you receive a regular and fixed interest amount for the term of the investment. The invested funds (principal) are repaid at the end of the term (maturity). |
Interest Paid | the simple interest paid on the principle amount invested in the Term Deposit. |
Maximum Term | the maximum amount of time you can take out a Term Deposit Minimum Term – the maximum amount of time you can take out a Term Deposit. Terms can be anywhere from 3,6 and 12 months to five years. |
Maturity | the expiration of the Term Deposit and the point it stops accumulating interest. |
Principal | the invested funds |
Savings account | Savings accounts are accounts held at a bank or financial institution. These accounts enable customers to save money and accrue interest on the amount of money they have deposited into a specific type of savings account. |
Term Deposit | A type of savings account that you keep your money in for a pre–determined period of time. The money is locked away and you can’t access it without penalties. |
Yield | the rate of return earned on an investment |
Withdrawal | Cash that you take out of your account. |
You can cancel your 31 day notice period up to two business days prior to completion of the 31 day notice period. If you still want to access your money but need to change any details, you will need to put in for a new request and this will reset the 31 day notice period to start from the beginning.
The Term Deposit rate is the fixed interest rate you agree to when you first sign up for your account. Longer term deposits have better rates. The return you get on your Term Deposit will be determined by the how much you invest when you open the account, how long your term is and the Term Deposit rate.
There will be times when you want to save some money but only need it locked away for a short period of time. Term deposits are available for terms from 3 months to 12 months. Some banks may even offer 1 month term deposits.
Yes. An international student can have a term deposit. Many banks have term deposits specifically for international students.
Fixed term deposits are bank accounts where you lock your money away for savings purposes. They earn a fixed interest rate and are locked for a specific amount of time.
Yes, students can open a term deposit. If you are over the age of 18 you can open one yourself provided you have a small amount to invest as soon as you open it. Most banks require a minimum of $1000. Students as young as 12-years-old can open a Term Deposit, but it will need to be opened by a parent or guardian.
As far as savings accounts go, Term Deposits are very safe. With a fixed rate, you are secure in knowing that if interest rates fluctuate, your earned interest will always remain the same and cannot decrease. There’s also the added safety of the Australian Government Guarantee Scheme which protects your money should the bank go bankrupt.
Yes. You will need to pay tax on your earnings in your term deposit.
The amount of tax will depend on the length of your term and when your interest is paid.
The money you have made in interest should be claimed on your tax return along with any other income in that financial year.
When your Term Deposit matures you can withdraw the funds or have it roll over into a new account. Always make sure to contact the bank to let them know what your plan is. If you don’t contact them, they can roll it over into a term deposit of their choice and it may have a lower interest rate than you would like.
If you want to access your money in your term deposit before it has matured, you will need to give the bank 31 days’ notice before you can withdraw some or all of the funds.
The 31 day rule allows the banks to hold onto the funds until they can find new sources of capital. This is a bank regulation that came into play after the global financial crisis when many financial markets found that banks didn’t have enough capital in reserve to survive an economic crisis.
Any Australian resident over the age of 12 can open a 3 month term deposit.
Yes, you will find 3 month term deposits that can be opened and then managed completely online.
Some banks will allow you to have the interest paid into your transaction account with another bank. Check with the bank before you open a term deposit with them.
You can put in as much as you like into a term deposit. Some banks will have a minimum requirement of $1000 others might be $5000.
When you sign up for a term deposit, you sign up for a term length. It can be anywhere from 3 months to 5 years. If you access your funds earlier than your term end date, you will be required to pay a break fee or early access fee. If you think you will need to access your money, don’t lock in to a long term deposit.
If you need access to your funds before the maturity date of your term deposit you may need to pay a break fee. Before you do this, you will need to give the bank 31 days’ notice.
Some banks may require you to have a linked account for interest to be paid. Other banks may allow for interest payments to be made to your account with another bank.
Most times the only restriction is that you are an Australian resident for tax purposes.
In some cases it may be possible to negotiate a better deal with your bank however once you have opened the account, the rate is fixed for the duration of the term and no changes can be made.
Some Term Deposits have an automatic rollover feature. This means that if you don’t notify the bank of your plans, they will automatically renew your deposit for the same period of time as your past term and at the current market interest rate for that rate term.
In most instances you should be able to open a term deposit online.
Yes. A Term Deposit is considered an asset.
Once you have opened a Term Deposit and deposit your money into it, it is then locked. This means you are not able to add any further money to that account.
Yes, children can have term deposits, but they must be a minimum of 12-years-old and the account must be opened by their parent or a guardian.
Term Deposit rates do not change at all during the term of your account. They have a fixed rate that you agree to when you first open the account. It is then locked for the amount of time you have agreed to.
There are three options for you once your term deposit matures:
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Whether you want to invest your money into a short or long-term deposit account, InfoChoice allows you to search and compare in one place. You can compare features such as access options and read breaking information about term deposit accounts in our news and guides section. You can also work out how much interest you’ll earn by using our term deposit calculator and savings calculator. Some accounts will take you the provider’s website so you can open your account online today.
Whether you’re saving for a few months or years, term deposits are a popular way to invest your hard-earned cash.
There are many term deposit rates, and term deposits are simple, safe and reliable, offering a guaranteed return over a fixed period.
Here you can search and compare the best value term deposits from a range of lenders, catch up on the latest information in our news and guides sections, or work out how much interest you’ll earn with our handy term deposits calculator.