COVID-19 impact on Fixed Deposit schemes and its safety considerations

A 75 basis points cut in the repo in March 2020, banks have started reducing the interest rate on their fixed deposits (FDs). The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the economy would be severe and that banks will continue to reduce interest rates in the near term. The RBI will make sure liquidity remains high and interest rates are low so that it can push the economy up after the lockdown is over. Experts are of the opinion that due to COVID-19 Lockdown the assets of many small private financial institutions and co-operative banks will turn into non-performing and therefore it is essential to take case of your Fixed Deposits considering the following points. Interest shall go down but offer assured return and safety With loans being priced at low interest rates due to the linking with the repo rate, it becomes difficult for banks to continue paying higher interest rates on fixed deposits to investors. So, fixed deposit interest rates will come down further because of lower loan rates of repo-inked schemes. But at the same time the deposits offer assured returns and capital safety in the present market conditions. Deposit for shorter Tenure Although interest rates across tenures are … Continue reading COVID-19 impact on Fixed Deposit schemes and its safety considerations