finder.com.au

Compare $100,000+ Term Deposits

If you find yourself in between investment opportunities, a $100,000+ term deposit could keep your money growing at a competitive rate.

Tim Falk
Tim Falk

Updated

Fact checked

We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!

With investment amounts of $100,000 or more, you may find that the fixed rate of high interest fosters growth with minimal risk. You should keep in mind that only balances up to $250,000 are protected by the Australian Government Guarantee Scheme.

How does a $100,000 (and over) term deposit work?

If you have recently inherited a large amount of cash, have proceeds from a home sale with no new home to buy yet, or are an investor who is in between opportunities, a $100,000 term deposit provides a solution for holding onto your cash. This is also a good account to consider if you want to ensure that your retirement funds will be available for when you are ready to start spending them.

How do I compare $100K term deposits?

  • Interest rates. A term deposit works like a high interest savings account, allowing you to earn a form of income from your account balance. With some banks you will find that you are paid higher rates when your balance is over $100,000.
  • Terms. Consider carefully how long you want to have your balance locked into a savings account. Terms can range from anywhere between one month to five years, giving you the choice in when the account will mature.
  • Interest payments. Compound interest is a way in which you could grow your savings exponentially. Look for an account where you have the option of monthly interest payments into your account so that each month you are earning interest on the principal and previous interest payments.
  • Fees. Look at the details of each term deposit to ensure that you are not being charged any monthly fee.
  • Penalties. Banks will often charge you a penalty if you are in a position where you need to withdraw your savings balance before the terms end.

Notice saver accounts

Some banks in Australia have added the option of notice term savers accounts, where instead of choosing a length of time for the deposit, you choose how much notice you need to provide before withdrawing the money. Depending on the institution, you may find that the interest rates are slightly lower, but this is worth considering if you want a little more flexibility.

Compare the pros and cons of a term deposit with a high balance

Pros

  • High interest earnings. Term deposits give you the chance to passively earn a higher yield on your balance than you would with a standard bank account.
  • Incentive to save. As your funds are "locked in" an account, it could be an incentive to not spend your savings.
  • Choice of length. You have the chance to set the terms that work best for you, as well as the way in which your interest payments are made.
  • Your deposit is guaranteed. The Australian Government Guarantee Scheme covers up to $250,000 per person, per ADI. If your deposit surpasses this limit, it is no longer protected by the Government Guarantee.

Cons

  • Restrictive. If you do find that you need the money sooner than you thought, not only may it take some time to get it, but you could be facing additional fees and penalties for early withdrawals.
  • Interest rates are lower than some savings accounts. Many bonus savings accounts offer a higher interest rate than term deposits do, however they'll usually have some monthly conditions to meet.

Savings accounts versus term deposits for balances over $100,000

Bonus savings accounts often offer higher interest rates than term deposits, but you'll need to be willing to meet a few ongoing monthly account conditions (such as a monthly deposit condition).

Let's take a look at the UBank Term Deposit and the UBank USave bonus saver account as an example. The UBank USave has a monthly deposit requirement of $200. So, if you wanted to invest $100,000, you could open the account with $97,400 and then use the remaining $2600 to meet the monthly deposit condition. You can see from the table below that with a little bit more effort, this option actually results in a lot more interest earned over 12 months.

UBank Term DepositUBank USave
Initial investment$100,000$97,400
Term lentgth12 months12 months
Interest p.a.*0.55% p.a.1.1%
Monthly deposit$0$200
Total invested over 12 months$100,000$100,000
Interest earned over 12 months$2,050$2,400.13

*Interest rates current as of June 2019 and are subject to change.

Take a look at the comparison table below to see how much interest you can earn with a bonus savings account instead of a term deposit. Remember to note the different monthly account conditions for each account in order to earn the maximum bonus rate. You can use the calculator above the table to change your initial deposit value and the term length.

Compare bonus savers below

Data indicated here is updated regularly
$
$
months
Name Product Maximum Variable Rate p.a. Standard Variable Rate p.a. Bonus Interest p.a. Fees Interest Earned
Westpac Life (18-29 year olds only)
Westpac Life (18-29 year olds only)
3%
0.2%
2.8%
$0
If you’re between 18-29, you can earn a 3% p.a. variable rate each month you grow your balance (excl. interest) and make 5+ settled debit card purchases from your linked Westpac Choice account, up to a balance of $30,000.
Go to site
More Info
Westpac Life (18-29 year olds only)
Westpac Life (18-29 year olds only)
0.55%
0.2%
0.35%
$0
If you’re between 18-29, you can earn a 0.55% p.a. variable rate each month you grow your balance (excl. interest) and make 5+ settled debit card purchases from your linked Westpac Choice account, up to a balance of $30,000.
Go to site
More Info
MyState Bank Bonus Saver Account
MyState Bank Bonus Saver Account
1.2%
0.1%
1.1%
$0
Ongoing, variable 1.2% p.a. when you deposit at least $20 into the account each month and make 5 or more Visa Debit card transactions from a linked MyState transaction account. Bonus interest available on balances up to $250,000.
Go to site
More Info
Westpac Life
Westpac Life
0.55%
0.2%
0.35%
$0
Ongoing, variable 0.55% p.a. each month you deposit money, and make sure your balance is higher at the end of the month than it was at the beginning. No monthly account-keeping fee.
Go to site
More Info
Bankwest Hero Saver
Bankwest Hero Saver
0.8%
0.01%
0.79%
$0
Ongoing, variable 0.8% p.a. rate when you deposit at least $200 each month and make no withdrawals. Available on balances up to $250,000.
Go to site
More Info
Bankwest Hero Saver
Bankwest Hero Saver
0.01%
0.01%
0%
$0
Ongoing, variable 0.01% p.a. rate when you deposit at least $0 each month and make no withdrawals. Available on balances up to $250,000.
Go to site
More Info
HSBC Flexi Saver Account
HSBC Flexi Saver Account
0.85%
0.05%
0.8%
$0
Ongoing, variable 0.85% p.a. when you grow your balance by $300+ per month. Earn bonus interest even if you make withdrawals during the month. Available on balances up to $5,000,000.
Go to site
More Info
HSBC Flexi Saver Account
HSBC Flexi Saver Account
0%
0%
$0
Ongoing, variable 0% p.a. when you grow your balance by $300+ per month. Earn bonus interest even if you make withdrawals during the month. Available on balances up to $5,000,000,000.
Go to site
More Info
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

More questions about $100,000 term deposits?

Q. How are penalties calculated for an early withdrawal on a term deposit of $100,000?

A. The financial institution will generally charge an administration fee, which will vary as well as adjust the interest payments. For example, if you initially chose a term of five years but need to withdraw after three, the interest rate will be changed to the lower three year rate.

Q. Can this type of account be used for my SMSF?

A. Yes, so long as it meets the terms of your SMSF, you can use a term deposit to help accelerate its growth. Learn more about SMSFs.

Q. Will my retirement savings be safe in a $100,000 term deposit?

A. A term deposit is a good investment for retirement savings, although keep in mind that at any amount over $250,000, you will not be protected by the Australian Government Guarantee Scheme. For more information you can read our guide on how much you need to retire comfortably in Australia.

Q. I want to deposit more than $100,000 in my term deposit. Which accounts will give me the best returns?

A. Read our guide on $250,000 term deposits which includes accounts that provide the best returns for deposits over $250,000.

You may also be interested in

More guides on Finder

Go to site