Fixed-term Deposits
Fixed-term Deposits are among the Safest and most Sought-After Investment Options
Top Fixed-Term Deposit Comparison:
- Current fixed-term deposit comparison presenting the best conditions at a glance.
- Possibility to invest in fixed-term deposits at different banks through a single account.
- No fees for account opening and account management.
- Fast and straightforward online identification using the video identification process.
Smart Investment Opportunities for Every Goal
- Corporate Fixed-term Deposits
Corporate Fixed-term Deposits
- Flexible Deposits
Flexible Deposits
- ETFs
Fixed-interest Investments
- Fixed-term Deposits
Fixed-term Deposits
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Flexgled?
Fixed-term deposits are a special form of bank deposit where the customer and bank agree on a fixed term and a fixed interest rate. As the investment conditions are already set at the time of conclusion, fixed-term deposits offer a predictable and secure investment that is not affected by market fluctuations. Additionally, fixed-term deposits are protected by uniform deposit guarantee systems in the EU, even in the event of bank insolvency. Generally, higher interest rates apply for longer terms, as the bank can plan with the deposits for the entire duration. During the term, access to the deposits is usually not possible; after expiry, the investment can be extended, changed, or paid out to a reference account under the offered conditions. For deposits over 100,000 euros, our customers benefit from a voluntary deposit protection, which offers additional protection beyond the legal safeguards. Our advisors are available for any further questions.
How High are the Interest Rates for Fixed-Term Deposits?
Generally, savers receive significantly higher interest rates with fixed-term deposits compared to other secure investments, as the interest rate typically increases with the duration of the investment horizon. Many banks in Europe offer fixed-term deposit rates that are significantly higher than those of most German local banks. At AGw, you’ll find a wide selection of such attractive offers in the fixed-term deposit comparison.
Achieve Even Better Returns through the Ladder Strategy
Choosing the Right Term for Fixed-Term Deposits
The fixed-term deposit period refers to the timeframe during which savers invest their money with a bank. During this time, they generally cannot access the invested amount. The bank transfers the total amount, including interest, back to the reference account only at the end of the term. However, savers have the option to extend their investment or switch to other investment products.
The terms for fixed-term deposits range from a few months to ten years. A fixed-term deposit with a term of up to one year is considered a short-term investment, while deposits of up to five years are considered medium-term. Anything beyond that is considered long-term fixed-term deposit. The choice of term depends heavily on personal savings goals. Fixed-term deposits with terms of three to ten years can be particularly attractive for investors who can do without part of their savings for longer, as banks usually offer higher interest rates for longer terms. However, those who want to remain flexible and not tie up their savings for too long should focus on fixed-term deposits with short to medium-term durations of no more than two years. Although interest returns are generally lower during these periods, the money becomes available again more quickly.
Who Benefits from a Fixed-Term Deposit Account?
Investing in Fixed-Term Deposits through AGw
In the past, saving with local banks was simple: one could safely deposit funds in a savings account and earn interest. But in the current low-interest phase, many savers wonder where they can still find acceptable interest rates. To solve this problem, a new department was established in 2022, offering German investors direct access to attractive fixed-term deposit accounts from European banks.
Investing in fixed-term deposits with a European bank is as uncomplicated as with your own local bank. The banks benefit from savings as they don’t have to maintain their own branches, which allows us to offer higher interest rates. Through AGw, savers can still find profitable investment opportunities, as our German interest rate portal presents fixed-term deposits from all over Europe. Our service is free of charge for you, as the financing is done through commissions from banks for brokered deposits. The account or fixed-term deposit with our partner banks is also free of charge.
Transfer Money for Investment
Fixed-term deposits remain very popular among German savers, as the interest rates are fixed for the entire term and the deposits are protected by EU-wide deposit guarantee. However, investors should carefully consider which bank they invest their money with. There are some indicators that point to a bank’s security. For example, a trustworthy bank is a member of the national deposit guarantee fund of its home country, which means that deposits up to 100,000 euros per customer and bank are secured. In addition, many banks participate in private deposit protection systems, which often offer protection beyond the legally required limit. An example of this is the private fund of the Association of German Banks (BdB).
How Safe is a Fixed-Term Deposit?
When you transfer the desired amount to your fixed-term deposit account, the credit is usually processed within 1-2 banking days, after which your fixed-term deposit begins. An EU-wide harmonized deposit guarantee protects the funds invested with partner banks up to an amount of 100,000 euros per investor and bank. Sweden increased the protection of customer deposits in January 2021: deposits are secured by the Swedish deposit guarantee Riksgälden up to 1.05 million Swedish kronor per bank and saver. This corresponds to about 91,617 € depending on the exchange rate. For banks in the United Kingdom, the security limit is 85,000 British pounds, which is about 102,000 euros.
European Deposit Guarantee for the Fixed-Term Deposit Account
Some investors fear that a fixed-term deposit account with a foreign bank carries a higher risk than with a German credit institution. It is important to note that in Europe, uniform standards for deposit protection apply that go beyond personal gut feelings. These systems ensure a swift reimbursement of your fixed-term deposit should a foreign bank encounter financial difficulties. The deposit protection rules established by the European Union are applicable in all member states and offer protection for savers’ fixed-term deposits. Deposits are protected up to a maximum amount of 100,000 euros (85,000 GBP in England and 1.05 million SEK in Sweden) per customer and bank throughout the entire term by the EU-harmonized deposit guarantee scheme. Directives 2009/14/EC and 2014/49/EU are binding for all member states and have been implemented into uniform national laws.