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Ramalingam Kalirajan |6345 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 18, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more

Asked by Anonymous - May 14, 2024Hindi

Kindly through some lights on investment in Unity Small Fin bank FDs. It's well known that as per DICGC up 5 lac is protected. One of my friend who is a retired person planning for 50 lac FD along with his three other family members. How do you justify his planning? Let's all educate with your valuable advice..... Thanx

Ans: Here's a breakdown of your friend's situation with Unity Small Finance Bank FDs and some insights:

Unity Small Finance Bank FDs:

Positive aspects:

High Interest Rates: Unity Small Finance Bank offers competitive FD rates, potentially giving your friend higher returns than traditional savings accounts. [1]
DICGC Insurance: Up to ?5 lakh per depositor per bank is insured by Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), providing some security for his investment. [1]
Flexible Tenures: He can choose a tenure that aligns with his financial goals, offering flexibility. [1]
Limitations to consider:

Limited DICGC Coverage: If the total deposit exceeds ?5 lakh per person, the exceeding amount is not insured by DICGC. Spreading the FD across different banks can potentially mitigate this risk.
Premature Withdrawal Penalty: Penalties apply if your friend needs to withdraw the money before maturity, potentially impacting his returns. [1]
Not Risk-Free: Although FD rates are generally stable, there is always a chance of interest rates dropping in the future, impacting returns.
Alternative Strategies for Larger Amounts:

Multiple FDs Across Banks: Distribute the ?50 lakh across several banks, ensuring each individual holds less than ?5 lakh per bank to maximize DICGC coverage.
Consider Public Sector Banks: Public sector banks might offer slightly lower interest rates but may be perceived as a safer option due to government backing.
Explore Debt Funds: Debt funds, especially fixed-income funds, can offer potentially higher returns than FDs with similar liquidity profiles. However, they come with slightly higher market risks.
Educating Your Friend:

Risk Tolerance: Discuss your friend's risk tolerance. FDs are generally low-risk, but other options might offer higher potential returns with slightly more risk.
Investment Goals: Understanding his financial goals (short-term vs. long-term) is crucial. FDs can be suitable for short-term needs, while debt funds might be better for long-term goals.
Diversification: Encourage diversification across asset classes to potentially improve returns and mitigate risk.
Conclusion:

Investing in Unity Small Finance Bank FDs can be a reasonable option for your friend, especially for a portion of his savings. However, due to the limited DICGC coverage for larger sums, explore spreading the investment or consider alternative options for the remaining amount. Ultimately, the best approach depends on his risk tolerance, investment goals, and overall financial situation.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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