Your guide to achieving financial goals with deposits

by  Liting Peng | Updated 15 October 2025 | 3 min read

Your guide to achieving financial goals with deposits

Key Takeaways at a Glance

  • Fixed Deposits (FDs) offer stable returns and capital protection.
  • They differ from savings accounts through tenure and higher yield.
  • Time deposits work well for predictable financial milestones.
  • Citi’s foreign currency deposits offer global diversification.
  • Wealth-focused investors use FDs as part of a layered strategy.

Introduction

While wealth strategies usually focus on growth, ensuring stability is essential too. Fixed deposits, also known as time deposits, which are particularly structured across currencies and maturities, are able to provide a layer of certainty that serves both psychological and financial balance.

In this article, we explore how deposits can help you meet defined goals with certainty, how they compare with traditional savings, and what global options exist. Follow-up articles will explore deposit-linked strategies and cash flow planning for complex portfolios.

What Is a Fixed Deposit and Why Is It Used for Goal Planning?

A fixed deposit is a contract-based savings instrument where your money is locked in for a specific term in exchange for a potential higher return. Since rates are fixed, it offers a rare degree of predictability — ideal for goals like school fees, property down payments, or portfolio balancing.

How Are Fixed Deposits Different From Savings Accounts?

While savings accounts provide daily liquidity and convenience, time deposits provide structured returns over a fixed period. Key distinctions:

  • Potential Higher interest rates for locking funds.
  • Non-liquid (early withdrawals often come with penalties).
  • Tenure flexibility ranging from one week to several years .
  • Suitable for medium- to long-term financial planning.

Why Should Wealth Investors Consider Time Deposits Today?

For affluent investors, time deposits serve as:

  • A stabilising layer in a multi-asset portfolio.
  • A hedge during periods of equity or FX volatility.
  • A means to preserve liquidity while earning better returns than idle cash.
  • A disciplined, commitment-based savings option for fixed goals.

How Do You Unlock Global Value Through Time Deposits?

By partnering with Citi, you can:

  • Access a wide selection of local and foreign currency deposit options.
  • Align each deposit with a specific objective or timeline.
  • Benefit from interest rate cycles across geographies.
  • Keep funds secure yet productive.
 The Citi Advantage

With Citi Singapore, you can access:

  • Time deposits in 11 global currencies, including AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, CNH, SGD, and USD.
  • Attractive rates tailored to your currency and duration.
  • Client Advisors who guide placement based on liquidity and return expectations.
  • Secure access to funds, whether you bank locally or globally.

Are You Maximising What Time Deposits Can Do for Your Wealth Plan?

While equities and funds may drive growth, fixed deposits continue to serve a unique purpose — offering certainty and capital safety in a shifting financial landscape. For investors seeking low-risk anchors or managing global cash efficiently, time deposits deserve renewed attention.

 Liting Peng | Capital Market Product Manager

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Deposit Insurance Scheme

Singapore dollar deposits of non-bank depositors are insured by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation, for up to S$100,000 in aggregate per depositor per Scheme member by law. Foreign currency deposits, dual currency investments, structured deposits and other investment products are not insured. For more information, please visit www.sdic.org.sg

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