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About

When locking capital into a fixed-term deposit, the difference between quoted rates and actual returns often lies in the "Day Count Convention." Banks differ in how they define a year - some use 360 days (common in commercial markets) while others use 365 days (common in retail banking). This discrepancy can alter the final interest payout by a measurable margin on large sums.

This tool compares two liquidity scenarios: waiting for a lump sum at maturity versus taking monthly income. For retirees or income-focused investors, understanding the cash flow difference is vital. Monthly payouts often result in a slightly lower effective yield if not reinvested, as you lose the compounding effect within the term (though most standard fixed deposits pay simple interest).

finance interest calculator fixed deposit bank savings yield

Formulas

The calculation uses the standard Simple Interest formula adjusted for the day count fraction F.

Total Interest I:

I = P × r × F

Where F depends on the convention:

{
days360 if Act/360days365 if Act/365

For monthly payouts, the annual interest is simply divided by 12, assuming a standard calendar year distribution.

Reference Data

ConventionFormulaTypical Usage
Actual/360D360US Money Markets, Commercial Loans
Actual/365D365UK, Singapore, Retail Deposits
30/36030 × M360Corporate Bonds, US Agency Bonds
Actual/ActualExact DaysTreasury Bonds

Frequently Asked Questions

This is a standard in money markets where the interest accrues daily based on a 360-day year. This effectively increases the daily interest rate slightly compared to a 365-day year, benefiting the lender (or the depositor, depending on the side of the contract).
In simple interest terms, they should be identical. However, some banks offer a lower nominal rate for monthly payouts to account for the loss of liquidity on their end. This calculator assumes the rate remains constant to highlight the cash flow mechanics.
No. Interest is calculated as Gross. Tax withholding (such as DIRT or standard income tax) depends on your specific jurisdiction and is not deducted here.