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Compare 3 month term deposits
Three months isn't long, but it might be long enough to make some money on a term deposit. Compare 3 month term deposits and calculate interest rates, returns, fees and more to find a three month short term deposit that suits your needs.
Product Term Deposit Real Time Rating™ | Max rate 3.35 % p.a for 24 months | Min. deposit $5,000 | Company | Interest rate 1.00 % p.a for 3 months | Next rate increased | Features Automatic Maturity Rollover Early Withdrawal Available Is Covered By Government Gurantee Joint Application Available Maturity Alert By Email Maturity Alert By Phone | Real Time Rating™ | Go to site |  Give your savings a boost with this competitive term deposit. Enjoy the flexibility of early withdrawal, automatic maturity rollover, and no account keeping fees. | Highlighted | |
Product Term Deposit Real Time Rating™ | Max rate 2.50 % p.a for 60 months | Min. deposit $1,000 | Company | Interest rate 0.55 % p.a for 3 months | Next rate increased | Features Automatic Maturity Rollover Early Withdrawal Available Is Covered By Government Gurantee Joint Application Available Maturity Alert By Email Maturity Alert By Phone | Real Time Rating™ | Go to site | Help your savings grow by signing up for this competitive term deposit with automatic maturity rollover. | ||
Product Term Deposit Real Time Rating™ | Max rate 0.30 % p.a for 24 months | Min. deposit $5,000 | Company | Interest rate 0.15 % p.a for 3 months | Next rate increased | Features Automatic Maturity Rollover Early Withdrawal Available Is Covered By Government Gurantee Joint Application Available Maturity Alert By Email Maturity Alert By Phone | Real Time Rating™ | Go to site |
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What are the pros of three-month term deposits?
- Greater flexibility than long term deposits: Choosing a shorter term deposit can mean accessing your money again sooner, and choosing whether to roll your deposit over or switch to a new term deposit deal.
- Lower risk: You can know exactly how long your money will be tied up and what your rate of return should be.
- Helps manage your spending: Once locked in, you can’t easily access your deposit until the end of the term. This means it can’t be easily spent on everyday items.
- Helps with saving: By depositing your wealth to earn interest, you can save money to spend on big-ticket items.
- Set and forget: Once your term deposit is locked in, you don’t have to do anything else until the term ends.
What are the cons of three-month term deposits?
- Generally lower interest rates: Short term deposits often have lower interest rates than longer term deposits, so you may earn less interest on your savings.
- Less access than a savings account: Your money cannot be withdrawn during the term without being charged a penalty fee. You'll also often need to give a number of days notice in advance that you plan to make a withdrawal.
- Fixed interest rate: If variable interest rates rise, your term deposit account won’t follow suit because the rate is locked in for the length of your term.
What are the features of a three-month term deposit?
If you can find a competitive interest rate, locking up your money for a shorter term like 90 days could let you get a decent return on your investment, while still enjoying some flexibility. For example, if you were to receive a tax refund or an inheritance, you could choose to put this money in a three-month term deposit to earn interest while you work out your long-term personal objectives or savings goals.
Longer term deposits often have higher interest rates than shorter term deposits. You may also find that the more money you have to deposit, the higher the term deposit rates you may be offered. Some term deposit products may also require a minimum deposit size to be eligible for high interest rates.
When you’re comparing the interest rates of Australian term deposits, remember that term deposit interest rates are usually listed at the ‘per annum’ or annual rate. This means if you choose a three-month term deposit, you should earn a quarter of the interest on your deposit that you could earn over a year.
You may also find that your 90-day term deposit offers a ‘rollover’ feature. This means that when the term ends, you can immediately have the deposit (plus the interest you’ve already earned) rolled straight into another fixed term. If the rollover is automatic, and you forget the end date of your three month term deposit, your money might be reinvested into a new term deposit even if you don’t want it to be. The rollover interest rate could be different to your original interest rate, especially if you had a 90-day term deposit with a higher introductory rate, or one that offered bonus interest.
It’s worth comparing three-month term deposits to make sure you’re not only getting the best interest rate for your financial situation, but the right term deposit features and benefits as well. When your term deposit matures, you can also compare other options to work out if you want to roll your deposit over or switch.
Just like longer term deposits, and money deposited in bank accounts, 90-day term deposits are guaranteed by the Australian government as part of the Financial Claims Scheme (FCS), up to $250,000 per account holder per bank.
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Mark Bristow
Personal Finance Editor
Mark Bristow is RateCity's Home & Personal Finances Editor, and an experienced analyst, researcher, and producer. Focused primarily on Australian mortgage and home loan expertise, he has been a journalist and writer in the financial space for over ten years, previously researching and writing commercial real estate at CoreLogic. In the years since, Mark has worked for the Winning Group, Expedia, and has seen articles published at Lifehacker and Business Insider.
Today's top term deposits
Frequently asked questions
How long is a term 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.
Which bank has the best term deposit rates?
If you’ve been shopping around for a term deposit, you might be wondering which bank has the best term deposit rates.
Term deposit rates will generally be affected by the amount you choose to deposit and whether you opt for a short or long term deposit.
Longer term deposits tend to have higher interest rates than shorter terms. The trade-off for earning a higher interest rate on your term deposit is that you can’t access your funds for the duration of the term deposit.
When comparing which bank has the best term deposit rates, it pays to do your research and compare how your funds will fare over the short and long term.
Unlike home loans or savings accounts which give you the option of fixed or variable rates, term deposits are always fixed, which means you get a guaranteed amount of interest over the term of the deposit.
How often do term deposit rates change?
One of the advantages of a term deposit is that this type of investment enjoys a fixed interest rate. This means that the interest rate that you have signed up for will not change during the period of your term deposit, regardless of rising or falling market interest rates.
However, it is important to be aware of the end of your term deposit. Once your term ends, whether this is in three months or three years, many banks will default to rolling over your deposit into a new term, sometimes with a lower interest rate. Once your term deposit rolls over, you will then be locked into this new fixed interest rate for another term.
Make sure to use the grace period at the end of your term to your advantage. Shop around for a competitive interest rate and reinvest your money accordingly.
How safe is a term deposit?
You may have heard that a term deposit is a type of investment, different to a traditional savings account. All investment comes with inherent risk, so it’s important to know how safe a term deposit is before committing.
Term deposits offer a fixed interest rate which is guaranteed, so you do not have to worry about rising or falling interest rates when investing. You can add up how much interest you will earn over your fixed term, and this will be paid into your account per the conditions of your term deposit.
Term deposits with authorised deposit-taking institutions are also guaranteed for up to $250,000 by the Financial Claims Scheme, so you don’t have to worry about the bank collapsing either.
The only inherent risk of a term deposit is if you may need to break it early. If this happens, you will need to pay a breakage fee and possibly sacrifice some of your interest as a penalty. But if you know you can invest a certain amount of money for a fixed period of time, you can rest assured that a term deposit is a safe investment option.
What is the best interest rate for a fixed term deposit?
The best interest rate for a fixed term deposit changes all the time, as interest rates move up and down and banks compete with each other to win market share.
To find the best interest rate for a fixed term deposit, it’s helpful to understand how interest rates are applied to term deposits.
There are three factors that determine the fixed interest of term deposits:
- The size of your deposit
- The duration of the term
- The frequency of interest paid
Term deposits vary in duration from one month to five years or more. Interest rates generally work on a sliding scale; shorter terms get a lower rate, longer terms get a higher rate.
Here are a couple of examples of how interest is applied to term deposits.
- A $10,000 term deposit taken out over 12 months, with interest paid at maturity, might receive a fixed interest rate of 2.20 per cent.
- A $10,000 fixed term deposit taken out over 12 months, with interest paid quarterly, might receive a fixed interest rate of 2.00 per cent.
Using the size of your deposit, the duration of the term and how often you want to be paid interest, you can shop around for the best interest rate for a fixed term deposit.
What is a term deposit?
A term deposit is an investment savings account. A term deposit usually pays a higher rate of interest than a regular savings account, with the interest rate fixed for the term (or duration) of the deposit.
You can open a term deposit account for one month or up to five years depending on your investment goal, and invest as little as $500 to start earning a profit.
With a term deposit, you get to decide how much you want to invest (the principal or deposit), for how long (the term or duration) and the frequency of interest payments.
A term deposit represents a secure form of investment, unlike trading in shares or purchasing real estate. And a term deposit up to $250,000 is protected by the government guarantee.
What is a term deposit rate?
The term deposit rate is the agreed interest rate for your term deposit. It remains fixed for the term of the deposit.
For example, if you deposit $5,000 for 12 months at a 2.5 per cent term deposit rate, that 2.5 per cent term deposit rate will be fixed for the entire 12 months and won’t change until the term matures.
The term deposit rate is one of the most important factors to consider when comparing your term deposit options. The general rule of thumb is that the longer the term, the higher the term deposit rate.
Term deposits are a popular type of investment because they’re safe and provide reliable returns.
The return you get on your term deposit will be determined by the amount you initially invest, the amount of time you choose to invest it for, and the term deposit rate.
How do you calculate term deposit interest?
If you’re ready to open a term deposit, there’s a lot you’ve already figured out. You’ve decided on the length of your term and found the best interest rate, but there’s something you still might be wondering. How do you calculate term deposit interest?
One of the easiest ways to calculate term deposit interest is by using a term deposits calculator. However, you can also estimate your total earnings on your own.
A fixed interest rate signifies what percentage of your original balance your term deposit will earn annually. For example, a deposit of $1,000 at an interest rate of 3 per cent will earn three per cent of $1,000 annually – meaning you’ll earn $30 of interest each year.
You can estimate your interest using three variables. Multiply together your deposit amount, interest rate, and term length and you’ll approximate the interest a deposit will earn. For example, if you invest in a term deposit for $5,000 at an interest rate of 3 per cent for two years, your interest would total $300.
How do term deposits work?
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.
Can you add money to a term deposit?
When you open a term deposit, you agree to lock your money away for a set period and earn a fixed amount of interest during that period.
Where everyday transaction accounts give you the flexibility to deposit and withdraw funds as frequently as you like, term deposits trade flexibility for higher interest rates.
Once your funds are deposited in a term deposit, they’re fixed for the length of the term, meaning you can’t add additional funds midway through the term.
When the term deposit matures, you may have the option to add additional funds and roll the funds over for another term, or you may choose to withdraw the money at that point.
If you have extra funds to invest, you could consider opening an additional short term deposit account or a high-interest savings account.
It’s worth noting that you can withdraw the funds midway through the term, but a penalty is likely to apply.
What are Bendigo Bank’s business term deposit rates?
Bendigo Bank offers businesses two types of term deposits - Standard and Gold. You can open a Standard term deposit by investing at least the specified minimum amount for a flexible investment period ranging up to five years. A Gold term deposit requires a larger minimum investment over a fixed term, which is currently one year.
However, you can’t add funds to a Standard term deposit after the first seven days, and any withdrawals before the review date need to be done on request. If you’ve opened a Gold term deposit, you can add more funds over the year, but withdrawals may be restricted just as with a standard term deposit.
A Standard term deposit’s interest rate depends on the amount deposited, the frequency of compounding interest, and the deposit term. Further, this interest rate may apply irrespective of how often interest is compounded. On the other hand, Gold term deposits usually offer a flat interest rate no matter how large or small the deposit, with the interest likely compounded every quarter.
To find out about Bendigo Bank’s current business term deposit rates, visit the banks’ website.
What is a fixed term deposit?
A fixed term deposit is a safe and stable way to earn a fixed return on your cash investment.
Fixed term deposits are essentially bank accounts where you lock your money away for a fixed period and earn a fixed interest rate on those funds.
Fixed term deposits can be both short term, which is usually anything under 12 months, or long term, which can be up to 10 years.
Once the fixed term has ended, the bank or financial institution will give you back your initial deposit plus any interest you earn during the fixed term period.
Depending on the type of fixed term deposit account you open, when the term matures, you may have the option of rolling the funds over for a new term or withdrawing the funds.
Unlike other savings or transaction accounts which offer variable interest rates and flexible features, fixed term deposits offer fixed interest rates, which means the amount of interest you earn will remain the same during the term of the deposit.
Are term deposits worth it?
Ultimately, whether term deposits will work for you will depend on your particular financial needs.
Term deposits can be a great way to get your money working for you. By locking it away and forgetting about it for a period of time, it can earn interest for you. If you have the interest paid on a regular basis, rather than at maturity, you can either have some extra spending money or you can reinvest it into the term deposit to compound.
Of course, locking your money in a term deposit means you cannot access it for the length of the term, without paying a penalty for early withdrawal. This can remove the temptation to spend the money, while it also earns interest.
What should I know about ING’s business term deposit rates?
ING Direct offers several term deposit options for businesses looking to save over some time.
The business term deposit rates ING offers are compounded annually, meaning that the interest earned after the first year is added to the amount you originally deposited.
During the second year, the interest is calculated on the new amount. If you close the term deposit once it matures, you can ask for the money to be transferred to your business account either with ING or another bank. You can also renew the term deposit and choose to reinvest the total amount earned through the earlier term deposit. Alternatively, you can opt to renew with just the sum you originally deposited, and withdraw the interest earned.
You’ll need to deposit a minimum of $10,000 for at least 90 days if you open a term deposit with ING. In the current low-interest environment*, the annualised interest rate for a 90-day deposit is 0.05 per cent. This means you’d earn $1.25 over a three-month term if you deposit $10,000.
If you opted for a longer time frame, such as two years, you’d get an annualised interest rate of 0.30 per cent on your deposit. If you deposited $10,000, in two years the interest accrued would amount to approximately $60. Again, this is an estimate only based on current rates.
* Rates correct as of January 2021
What are ME Bank’s term deposit interest rates for businesses?
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.
What is a term deposit account in a bank?
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.
Can you take a term deposit out early?
If you are considering a term deposit, you may be wondering if you can take out your money early. It is possible to break a term deposit, but it will cost you both time and money.
Many banks require 31 days’ notice if you wish to break a term deposit. This means that if you need money urgently for an unexpected expense, it may not be worth breaking your term deposit. Make sure to read the fine print to see if this wait period applies to the term deposit you are considering.
You will also most likely need to pay a breakage fee in order to access your funds, and you may also incur a reduced amount of interest. All of this information – including the fee amounts – should be available in the term deposit product disclosure statement (PDS), so ensure that you read the fine print before committing.
What are the current AMP Bank business term deposit rates?
Term deposit interest rates are subject to frequent market change. To view the most current AMP Bank business term deposit rates, it’s best to view the provider’s website directly.
If you want to earn competitive rates on your fixed deposits for an amount between $100,000 and $500,000, AMP Bank deposit may worth considering. Term deposits with AMP Bank allow you to earn reliable returns for different tenures between one month and five years.
You can also choose when you want to receive the interest; monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly. If you wait until maturity, you’ll earn the full interest.
AMP Bank term deposits do not charge monthly maintenance fees. If you’re at least 13 years and an Australian citizen with a local address, you’re eligible for AMP Bank term deposit.
What is the best term deposit rate in Australia?
If you’re ready to add a term deposit to your financial strategy, there’s likely one question on your mind: what is the best term deposit rate in Australia?
Unfortunately, there’s no one right answer to this question.
That’s because if you want to find the best term deposit rate in Australia, you first need to understand the nature of interest rates themselves. The financial market is always moving, with interest rates moving up and down and special offers being introduced and withdrawn.
As a result, whatever the best term deposit rate in Australia is today might not be tomorrow.
So to find the best term deposit rate in Australia, it’s best to ignore the past and to instead focus on today’s market. Compare term deposits to find out the current rates and find the right term deposit for you.
What are Bankwest business term deposit rates?
Looking to invest some of your business funds with a fixed interest rate? You could consider a business term deposit with Bankwest. Bankwest calls these accounts Business TD Direct, and accepts deposits of amounts between $10,000 and $2,000,000.
When it comes to Bankwest term deposit rates for business, you can find information here. If you choose a term of over a year, you can ask for interest to be paid monthly, quarterly, biannually or annually. The Bankwest business term deposit rates do, however, vary based on the term length you choose.
If you need the funds before your term deposit’s maturity date, you need to give 31 days notice. Also withdrawing the funds will impact the interest you earn.
You can contact a Bankwest business banking specialist by calling on 13 7000 and get more details about business term deposits.