Savings account vs term deposit
Bank First Strong Start Saver vs term deposit
5.88% a year
5.50% a year for 1 year
Compare on
Interest over 1 year on $50,000
$2,940
5.88% a year
$2,750
5.50% a year · paid at maturity
Over 1 year on $50,000, Bank First Strong Start Saver pays $2,940; Bank First's 12-month term deposit pays $2,750.
Worked out on $50,000 until you pick a balance
Bank FirstStrong Start Saver
Bank FirstTerm deposit
Figure by figure
Interest over 1 year
on $50,000
$2,940
nothing to do each month
+$190 · More interest over the term
$2,750
paid at maturity
Rate over the term
a year, on $50,000
5.88%
with its announced rate of 5.90% from 24 Nov
+0.38 · Higher rate over the term
5.50%
fixed for the term
Asked of you each month
Nothing
Nothing
the money stays put
Getting the money out
Any time
no notice needed
Locked for 1 year
31 days’ notice to break it early, usually at a lower rate
Can the rate change?
Yes, at any time
5.90% announced, from 24 Nov
No
fixed for 1 year
Minimum to open
$0
$500
Who can open it
15 to 35 year olds
Anyone
How they differ
- A savings rate can change at any time. Bank First Strong Start Saver's figure holds today's rate for 1 year, with its announced rate of 5.90% from 24 Nov.
- A term deposit's rate is fixed for the term, but the money is locked in: breaking it early needs 31 days' notice and usually costs some of the interest.
- Both are covered by the Financial Claims Scheme, up to $250,000 per person at each bank. Money in both at Bank First shares that one $250,000.
Bank First Term Deposit at every term
The rate the balance above gets at each term, and the interest it pays over that term.
4 monthsPaid at maturity5.10%$850
9 monthsPaid at maturity5.40%$2,025
1 yearPaid at maturity5.50%$2,750
3 yearsPaid at maturity5.00%$7,500
4 yearsPaid at maturity5.00%$10,000
5 yearsPaid at maturity5.00%$12,500
As of 10 November 2026, over 1 year on $50,000, Bank First Strong Start Saver pays $2,940 with nothing to do each month; Bank First's 12-month term deposit pays $2,750 at 5.50%. Figures are the bank's published rates, worked out on the balance above as simple interest. Each row says which figure is higher; it doesn't say which one suits you.