Term deposits
Why put your money into a term deposit?
Term deposits are a great, safe, secure way to lock in a really good interest rate for savings you don't need easy access to for an extended period of time.
5.25%*
Annual interest on a 12-month standard term deposit of $5,000 or more
5.15%*
Annual interest on a 6-month standard term deposit of $5,000 or more
*This is an exclusive offer for customers referred by RateCity, apply before the 31st of October, other terms and conditions may apply.
What are term deposits?
Interest earned can be paid either at the end of the term (standard term deposits) or monthly into another account as a regular income from your investment. The type of term deposit you choose will impact the interest rate you can earn. Interest rates for term deposits also vary depending on the size of the investment, the term you are 'locking it in' for... as well as the official interest rates (the Cash Rate) controlled by Australia's Reserve Bank!
You can get access to your money if you really need to, but doing so will usually cost you some (or all) of the interest earned. There are no fees to set-up a term deposit or at the conclusion of the term when you can roll it over for a new term, with your earned interest.
Government Guarantee
Deposits in First Option Bank savings and investment accounts are insured by the Australian Government Financial Claims Scheme – up to a total of $250,000 per member. This provides you exactly the same protection as you would get from the major banks. Read more about the Deposit Guarantee on the APRA website.
Terms & Conditions: The minimum deposit amount is $5,000. Interest rates are fixed for the term of the investment and paid on maturity at 6 months or 12 months. This offer may be withdrawn at any time. The offer is only for new money, not for existing money in any First Option accounts. Additional deposits will be treated as separate deposits and not added to existing deposits unless an existing deposit has matured on the day or within the previous seven (7) days of the new deposit being received. Deposited funds can be withdrawn on maturity or reinvested. Interest credited to your account may need to be declared in your annual personal tax return. You are not obliged to disclose your Tax File Number (TFN) to us. However, it you do not we are obliged to deduct tax from any interest you earn at the highest marginal rate. Access facilities (such as cheque book, EFTPOS, ATM, Visa card, Redicard, Internet Banking, Telephone Banking, Direct Debits, Direct Credits and BPAY) cannot be linked to a Term Deposit account.