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Fixed Deposit Calculator Singapore: Compare Rates & Net Returns

Jack Freddie Morgan Harrison • 2026-09-18 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

You’ve probably seen those eye-catching fixed deposit rates plastered across bank websites—3.20% p.a., 3.50% p.a., maybe higher. But what you actually take home after penalties and minimum balance rules can look very different. This guide shows you how to use a fixed deposit calculator to compare real net returns across Singapore banks, from DBS to Trust Bank, so you can make a more informed decision.

SDIC insurance coverage: Up to SGD 100,000 per depositor per bank ·
Typical FD tenor range: 1 month to 60 months ·
Interest payment: At maturity or monthly (depending on bank)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Promotional FD rates change frequently—check recent comparisons (Syfe Magazine (investment insights))
4What’s next

The table below summarizes key facts about fixed deposits in Singapore.

Label Value
SDIC limit SGD 100,000 per depositor per bank
Minimum deposit SGD 500 (typical)
Common tenors 1 month to 5 years
Interest payment frequency Monthly, quarterly, or at maturity
Early withdrawal penalty Forfeiture of some interest (e.g., 50% of accrued)

Which bank in Singapore has the highest FD interest rate?

According to a September 2026 rate roundup, promotional fixed deposit rates from major Singapore banks remain in the range of 1.20% to 2.00% p.a. for common tenors (Syfe Magazine). However, some banks reportedly offer higher rates—InterestRates.sg, a Singapore rate comparison site, reports that Trust Bank offers 3.40% for 6 months and 3.50% for 12 months, while DBS offers 3.20% for 6 months and 3.20% for 12 months (InterestRates.sg). But these higher figures may be promotional and subject to conditions.

Which bank gives 9.5% interest on FD?

  • No bank in Singapore currently advertises a 9.5% fixed deposit rate (Syfe Magazine). Such rates would be far above market levels.

Which bank gives 7% interest on FD?

  • Similarly, 7% FD rates are not offered by any major Singapore bank as of September 2026 (Syfe Magazine).

The pattern: The highest advertised rates cluster around 3.5% p.a. for 12-month tenors at digital banks like Trust Bank, while traditional banks such as DBS and UOB hover around 3.2% for similar periods. Always verify the terms, especially minimum deposit amounts and whether the rate is for fresh funds only.

How much FD will give $10,000 per month?

The calculation is straightforward: monthly income = (principal × annual interest rate) / 12. For example, to earn $10,000 per month at a 3% p.a. rate, you would need roughly $4,000,000 in principal. At current top rates around 3.5% p.a., the required principal drops to about $3,428,571. These figures assume no early withdrawal and that interest is paid out monthly (InterestRates.sg).

How much FD will give $50,000 per month?

  • At 3% p.a., you’d need about $20,000,000 in fixed deposits. At 3.5% p.a., about $17,142,857.

How to calculate monthly income from a fixed deposit

  • Use a fixed deposit calculator: enter deposit amount, interest rate, and tenor. Many calculators show total interest earned or monthly payout (InterestRates.sg).

The implication: To generate significant monthly income from FDs in Singapore, you need a very large principal. For most savers, a combination of FDs and other instruments may make more sense.

Is FD 100% safe?

Fixed deposits in Singapore are considered low risk, but not risk-free. The Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC) insures up to SGD 100,000 per depositor per bank (Syfe Magazine). This means if a bank fails, you get back up to that amount. FD principal is not exposed to market fluctuations; you will not lose money due to rate changes. However, the risk lies in bank default, which is extremely rare among MAS-regulated banks.

Can hackers take money from FD?

  • Hackers cannot directly access FD funds without breaching bank security systems. FD accounts are protected by the same safeguards as savings accounts (DBS Singapore).

Can FD go in loss?

  • FD principal does not go down in value. The only loss scenario is bank failure beyond the SDIC limit, or if early withdrawal penalties are severe (InterestRates.sg FD guide).
What to watch

If you deposit more than SGD 100,000 at a single bank, the excess over 100,000 is not covered by SDIC. For large amounts, spread across multiple banks.

Why this matters: While FD is one of the safest savings vehicles, the SDIC cap means you should spread deposits across banks if you have more than SGD 100,000.

What is the disadvantage of FD?

Low liquidity vs savings account

  • Funds are locked for the tenor. Emergency access is possible but comes with a penalty (DBS Singapore).

Early withdrawal penalty

  • Most banks forfeit all interest earned and may charge a penalty fee, sometimes up to 2% of the principal (InterestRates.sg FD guide). However, ICBC Singapore imposes no penalty—withdrawal simply earns the prevailing current account rate (ICBC Singapore).

Inflation risk

  • FD returns may be lower than inflation over long tenors, eroding purchasing power. For example, if inflation is 2.5% and your FD earns 1.5%, you lose value in real terms (Growbeansprout).

The trade-off: FD offers safety and predictability, but you trade liquidity and potential inflation-beating returns. Weigh these against your time horizon and need for emergency access.

What happens if an FD holder dies?

If the FD account has a nomination, the funds transfer directly to the nominee without going through probate. Without nomination, the FD becomes part of the estate and is distributed according to the will or intestacy laws (DBS Singapore).

Can I withdraw my FD immediately?

  • Immediate withdrawal before maturity is possible but incurs a penalty—typically forfeiting interest. Some banks may also charge a fee (POSB Singapore).

Can I keep 20 lakhs in FD?

  • There is no cap on FD deposit amount in Singapore banks. However, only SGD 100,000 per depositor per bank is insured by SDIC. Depositing 20 lakhs (SGD 2,000,000) is allowed, but you should spread across banks to keep each under the SDIC limit (Syfe Magazine).

What this means: Nomination simplifies inheritance. Large deposits require multi-bank allocation to retain full SDIC coverage.

One pattern emerges: digital banks like Trust Bank offer the highest headline rates, while traditional banks require larger minimum deposits. Here’s a comparison of reported rates as of September 2026.

Bank 6-month rate (p.a.) 12-month rate (p.a.) 24-month rate (p.a.) Minimum deposit
Trust Bank 3.40% 3.50% 3.30% None
DBS 3.20% 3.20% 3.00% S$20,000
UOB 3.15% 3.10% 2.95% S$20,000
HSBC 3.00% 2.95% 2.85% S$30,000
Citibank (fresh funds) 2.00% Varies

The catch: Rates from Trust Bank, DBS, UOB, and HSBC come from InterestRates.sg and may not be current. Citibank rate from Syfe Magazine. Always confirm with the bank directly.

Upsides

  • Principal protected (SDIC insured up to $100k)
  • Fixed rate guarantees known return
  • Simple to set up and manage

Downsides

  • Funds locked for tenor; early withdrawal penalty
  • Returns may not beat inflation
  • High minimum deposits for best rates ($20k-$30k)

How to Use a Fixed Deposit Calculator

  1. Enter your deposit amount. Most calculators accept any amount above the bank’s minimum.
  2. Choose the tenor. Options range from 1 month to 60 months.
  3. Input the interest rate. Use the rate advertised by the bank for your chosen tenor.
  4. Set interest payout frequency. Monthly, quarterly, or at maturity affects total return.
  5. Click calculate to see total interest and monthly income.
The upshot

Cross-checking advertised rates with a calculator that includes early withdrawal penalties can change your net return by 1-2 percentage points—meaning a 3.5% FD could effectively return closer to 1.5% if you need to break it early.

What’s Confirmed vs Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • SDIC insures up to SGD 100,000 per depositor per bank (Syfe Magazine)
  • FD interest rate is fixed for the entire tenor (DBS Singapore)
  • Early withdrawal incurs a penalty (DBS Singapore)

What’s unclear

  • Whether any bank currently offers 9.5% or 7% interest rates
  • How future interest rates will change

For premature withdrawals of SGD fixed deposits, any interest will be calculated at the bank’s lowest applicable deposit rate.

DBS Singapore (bank guidance)

There is no penalty for premature withdrawal of a fixed deposit; payment is based on the prevailing current account interest rate.

ICBC Singapore (bank policy)

The real value of a fixed deposit calculator in Singapore is not just comparing rates—it’s understanding what you’ll actually walk away with after early withdrawal penalties, minimum balances, and SDIC coverage limits. For the average saver, the choice is clear: use a calculator to model multiple scenarios, spread deposits across banks if you have more than $100k, and never assume the advertised rate tells the whole story. Otherwise, you risk losing returns to penalties you didn’t account for.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum deposit for a fixed deposit in Singapore?

Typically SGD 500, though some banks may require SGD 1,000 or more for promotional rates (DBS Singapore).

How often do fixed deposit rates change?

Rates are fixed at placement but promotional rates change frequently, sometimes monthly. Always check the latest before investing (Syfe Magazine).

Can I have multiple fixed deposits at the same bank?

Yes. Many banks allow multiple FD accounts with different tenors and amounts. Each deposit is separately insured up to SGD 100,000 per depositor per bank (Syfe Magazine).

What is the difference between a fixed deposit and CPF?

CPF is a mandatory retirement savings scheme with limited liquidity, while FD is a voluntary savings product with fixed terms. CPF interest rates are set by the government and may be lower or higher than FD rates depending on the period.

Is a fixed deposit better than a savings account?

FDs offer higher interest rates than most savings accounts, but require locking funds. Savings accounts offer liquidity. For money you won’t need soon, FD is better; for emergency funds, keep a savings account.

How do I open a fixed deposit account in Singapore?

You can open an FD online via internet banking for most banks, or visit a branch. You’ll need your SingPass or NRIC, and the minimum deposit amount.

What happens if I miss the maturity date of my fixed deposit?

The FD may automatically roll over at the prevailing rate. You should instruct your bank before maturity if you want to withdraw or renew at a different rate (DBS Singapore).

Are fixed deposit rates the same for all currencies?

No. Rates vary by currency. SGD FDs typically offer different rates than USD, AUD, or other foreign currency FDs. Check with the bank for each currency.



Jack Freddie Morgan Harrison

About the author

Jack Freddie Morgan Harrison

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.