These Fixed Deposits Offer The Highest Returns In 2025
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Financial experts recommend that we put aside money for contingency for a rainy day. However, putting the money in a savings account may see its value diminishing against the rising inflation rate.
At the same time, putting your money in investments like unit trust, real estate investment trust (REIT) or stocks may not be liquid enough when it comes to emergencies. The next best thing is a fixed deposit.
A fixed deposit is a bank account that lets you take out your money after a fixed period of time and generally gives higher yields than an ordinary savings account. Most banks in Malaysia provide their own deposit products, so it can sometimes be difficult to determine which deposit products you should consider.
Besides that, the Overnight Policy Rate remains at a relatively high 3.00%. This means that you will likely be forking out a little extra to pay off your loans and debts owed to the bank. On the other hand, it is possible to see a small rise in fixed deposit rates as well.
So to help you get more out of your savings, we’ve combed through the market and found the best fixed deposits in Malaysia this year.
Fixed deposit promotions
First off, here are the fixed deposit promotions you’ll want to take advantage of this season. These promos offer better-than-average rates, but you’ll generally have to place a higher minimum deposit.
| Bank | Promo until | Min deposit | Tenure | Interest rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance Privilege Grow Your Wealth Promo | 31 March 2026 | RM10,000 | Up to 3 months | Up to 7.50% p.a. |
| AmBank Save Now, Travel Later Promo | 14 June 2025 | RM1,000 | Up to 6 months | Up to 3.75% p.a. |
| RHB Term Deposit & e‑Term Deposit Promo | 30 June 2025 | RM5,000 or RM50,000 | Up to 12 months | Up to 3.85% p.a. |
| Hong Leon Bank eFD/eFD-i Month-Long Promo | 30 June 2025 | RM1,000 | Up to 12 months | Up to 3.75% p.a. |
Comparison of fixed deposits accounts
Besides seasonal promotions, we’ve also put together a list of the highest-returns fixed deposits to fit your needs. Read on for more information about each account.
| Best for | Bank | Tenure (months) | Interest rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| General savings | Maybank eFixed Deposit | 1 - 60 | 2.40% - 2.70% |
| Low ballers | BSN Term Deposit | 1 - 60 | 2.65% - 3.00% |
| Kids | Hong Leong Bank Junior Fixed Deposit | 1 - 60 | 2.15% - 2.50% |
| Senior citizens | Golden Time Deposit 2 | 1 - 60 | 2.40% - 2.70% |
1. For general savings: HSBC Time Deposit
| Tenure (month) | Minimum deposit | Interest rate |
|---|---|---|
| min. RM5,000 | 1 month | 2.45% p.a. |
| min. RM1,000 | 2 months | 2.45% p.a. |
| min. RM1,000 | 3 to 11 months | 2.5% p.a. |
| min. RM1,000 | 12 to 60 months | 2.55% p.a. |
HSBC’s Time Deposit is one of the better options for general savings. The minimum deposit for one-month tenures start at RM5,000 while you need RM1,000 for two-month and above tenures. While HSBC may not offer the highest interest rates over long-periods of time, they are one of the quickest to ramp up. It only takes a 3 month tenure for the FD to hit 2.50%, which is rather fast when compared to many other banks. From 12 months onwards, you can expect returns of up to 2.55%.
2. For the low ballers: MBSB Term Deposit-i
| Tenure (month) | Deposit | Profit rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | min. RM500 | 2.3% p.a. |
| 2 months | min. RM500 | 2.3% p.a. |
| 3 months | min. RM500 | 2.45% p.a. |
| 6 to 12 months | min. RM500 | 2.5% p.a. |
| 15 to 24 months | min. RM500 | 2.55% p.a. |
| 36 to 60 months | min. RM500 | 2.6% p.a. |
Fixed deposits generally require at least an RM1,000 deposit, but the MBSB Term Deposit-i accepts as little as RM500, depending on your tenure. It offers flexible profit payment options with higher deposits offering monthly interest payments. MBSB Term Deposit-i tends to have competitive FD interest rates when compared to other banks, but having the minimum deposit fixed at RM500 makes it very accessible.
3. For the kids: Hong Leong Bank Junior Fixed Deposit
| Tenure | Interest rate |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2.15 |
| 2 - 3 | 2.25 |
| 4 - 5 | 2.30 |
| 6 | 2.30 |
| 7 -11 | 2.35 |
| 12 - 60 | 2.50 |
If you’re looking for a fixed deposit account to open for your child, consider the Hong Leong Bank Junior Fixed Deposit. You’ll need a minimum deposit of RM1,000.
This account doesn’t offer the best interest rates, but it’s flexible enough to accommodate periodic withdrawals. With this account, interest is calculated daily and paid monthly. You’ll be able to make early partial withdrawals from your account and still earn interest on your remaining balance – other accounts may penalise your interest returns for doing so. Additionally, many other junior saver account options tend to see a sharp drop in interest rates after a certain amount is deposited.
4. For senior citizens: BSN Term Deposit Senior Citizen
| Tenure (Month) | Min. Placement (RM) | Frequency of Interest Payment |
|---|---|---|
| 12 - 60 | 5,000 - 50,000 | Every 4 months |
| 12 - 60 | > 50,000 | Monthly |
If you’re aged 50 and above, the BSN Term Deposit Senior Citizen could be a good fixed deposit account to consider. It offer a respectable 3.05% p.a. rate with interest being paid every 4 months. However, those that deposit a minimum of RM50,000 will receive monthly interest. This is perfect for those close to retirement and have no plans to spend their savings anytime soon. The downsides to this is the aforementioned RM50,000 deposit the get the most out of this offer.
Get more out of your savings
Fixed deposits are a great way to earn a bit of returns out of your spare cash, or to preserve your savings. But don’t forget that there are other ways of growing your money, too. You could consider these high-interest savings accounts or these fixed deposit alternatives. If you can handle a bit more risk, and you can afford to put your money away for several years, you can even consider investing it. If you are not sure where to look to start your savings or investment journey, you can try using iMoney’s Smart Search Tool to help you find the right account for you.
