A fixed deposit is a financial investment where you deposit a sum of money in a bank for a fixed period, at a predefined interest rate. This is a safe and popular form of investment due to its stable returns. Let's break it down further:
- Principal Amount: This is the initial sum of money deposited by the investor, which in our example, is Rs 30000.
- Tenure: The fixed period during which the money is locked in. For Bala's investment, it is 2 years.
- Interest Rate: This defines the earnings on the principal during the tenure. Bala's rate is what we need to find out through calculation.
During this period, the interest is compounded, which means it is calculated routinely and added back to the principal, increasing the total balance over time. The secured nature of fixed deposits makes them attractive for risk-averse investors.
By the end of the term, the depositor receives the maturity amount, which is the original investment plus the interest earned.