Back
16.08.2023
Deposit or bond in a high interest rate environment?
Deposit or bond in a high interest rate environment?
335

Key thoughts

  • Euro interest rates are the highest in over a decade.

  • Bonds now and usually offer higher returns than deposits.

  • Bonds and deposits can be withdrawn before maturity, but there may be some loss.

  • Deposits are usually government guaranteed. Bonds are not.

  • Both deposits and bonds are usually taxed similarly in European countries.

Interest rates in euros are now quite high, something we haven't seen in a while - not for 15 years. The main interest rate in the Eurozone, known as the European Central Bank's refi rate, is at 4.25%. This is a good opportunity to think about how to make the most of this situation and grow your money. Let's compare two options for making money with your money: bank deposits and bonds. 

We'll focus on European individuals looking to invest for one year. We'll compare a bank deposit from a top bank in each country with bonds from well-known issuers in each country.

Bank deposits VS Bonds in Eupore.

* bond names are given in the following format: the name of the issuer, the coupon rate and the maturity date

From the table, you can see that bonds generally offer higher returns than typical bank deposits.

Why is this? And should you pick bonds over deposits? Let's start with the basics.

  • A term deposit is when you put your money in a bank for a fixed time with an agreed interest rate. The bank agrees to pay you interest and gives you your money back at the end.

  • A bond is a bit like lending money. It's like a loan to a government, city, or company.

    A bond has a fixed term to maturity and an interest rate known as a coupon. The interest income is paid at a fixed periodicity, usually every six months. At maturity, the principal is repaid to the bondholder. All the terms of a bond are set out in a bond prospectus. Each bond has a separate prospectus.

Now, let's answer some important questions to help you choose.

1. Can I withdraw money before the stated maturity date?

Can I withdraw money before the stated maturity date?

Yes, for both options. However, this usually comes at a cost.

In the case of a term deposit, you will ask your bank to close your deposit account and pay you back the money you have put in. In this case, you will almost certainly lose any interest income that has accrued since the last payment date on the deposit (if there was any).

In the case of a bond, you will have to sell the bond to someone to get the money back. But the price at which you sell the bond may be lower than the price at which you bought it. However, the opposite can also happen: you can sell it at a profit.

Want to know more about what drives bond prices? Read here

2. Can I lose my money if I hold to maturity?

Can I lose my money if I hold to maturity?

In the case of a European bank, you almost certainly won't lose money on a term deposit if the bank fails. This is because any bank operating in an EU country is usually a member of that country's deposit guarantee scheme. This means that their private customers are covered by this government guarantee up to a limit of €100,000. This limit also covers accrued interest. 

With a bond, you could lose money if the borrower goes bankrupt. Bond payments are not usually guaranteed by the government, except in cases where the borrower is a government itself. So bond payments depend on the credibility of the borrower. To avoid such bankruptcies, you should buy the bonds of large, credible companies or government bonds.

3. Are deposits and bonds taxed similarly? 

Are deposits and bonds taxed similarly?

For most European countries, yes. Tax rates for money you make from deposits or bonds are usually the same. However, some bonds might have lower taxes, like government bonds.


Answering these three questions will help you pick the right choice for you. 

This article does not constitute investment advice or personal recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bondfish does not recommend using the data and information provided as the only basis for making any investment decision. You should not make any investment decisions without first conducting your own research and considering your own financial situation.