A fixed deposit pays more than a savings account because you give up access. The trade-off is the whole calculation: rate, tenor, minimum amount and early-withdrawal penalty together, not the rate alone. We compare them side by side once verified records are in, with a calculator that turns the rate into the actual return on your amount over your chosen term.
Last updated: June 2026 · Built from bank sources, comparison not advice
UAE fixed deposit rates move with the CBUAE base rate, which has tracked the US Federal Reserve. The rate environment matters: a 3-month FD booked when rates are high may be better value than a 2-year FD booked at the same time if rates are expected to fall. This hub compares the published rates across banks and tenors, notes the conditions, and will run the return calculator from verified data once it is built.
The rate generally rises with the term, but the gap between short and long tenors changes with the rate cycle. Compare what each tenor actually returns for your amount before committing.
The headline rate is the starting point. These are the columns that decide whether it is the right deposit for your amount and timeline.
| What we show | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Annual rate (p.a.) | The published rate for each tenor, verified from the bank's product page on a named date. UAE FD rates track the CBUAE base rate, so a rate that looks good today may not be competitive after the next central-bank meeting. |
| Minimum deposit amount | The smallest amount the bank will accept at this rate. A higher minimum at a higher rate needs to be compared on the actual dirhams returned, not the percentage. |
| Tenor options | The range of terms the bank offers: 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 months and beyond. Not every bank offers every tenor, and the rate step between tenors varies. |
| Early-withdrawal penalty | What happens if you need the money back before maturity: loss of interest, penalty fee, or both. This is the real cost of flexibility and belongs in the comparison, not in the small print. |
| Auto-renewal terms | Whether the deposit rolls over automatically at maturity and at what rate. A deposit that auto-renews at a lower rate is not the deal it appeared to be at booking. |
| Islamic or conventional | Conventional FDs pay interest. Islamic products (Wakala, Mudaraba) pay an expected profit rate determined at maturity. We label each so you can compare on the same basis. |
Verified deposit records, with each rate dated and sourced from the bank's product page, populate the comparison tables as they are confirmed. We never publish a rate we cannot source.
Enter your amount and term, and the FD calculator ranks the verified deposit rates by the actual interest they return for you, after the minimum and the tenor. The percentage alone does not tell you which bank pays most for your money. Built in the next phase from verified deposit records.
See all money tools →If you want an accessible balance that still earns, compare the savings rate on a current or savings account. The gap between a savings account and an FD at the same bank shows you exactly what the lock-up is worth.
Compare savings accounts →We are building verified fixed deposit rate tables from each bank's product pages, covering conventional and Islamic structures across the UAE market.
Fixed deposits sit between a savings account and a bond on the liquidity-return spectrum. The bank holds your money for a fixed period and pays a higher rate than it would on a demand deposit, because it can plan around the funds. The trade-off is the early-withdrawal penalty if you need the money back before maturity. That penalty belongs in the comparison from the start.
UAE FD rates have risen with the CBUAE base rate over the past two years; they may fall again as the rate cycle turns. The right tenor is part timing call, part personal cash-flow planning. Read the deposit guides for the context, compare savings accounts if you need the money to stay accessible, or check the credit card hub and money transfer for the other money decisions. moneycompare.ae is information and comparison, not regulated advice.
The questions UAE depositors ask most, answered plainly.
Compare on three things together: the rate, the tenor and the minimum deposit amount. A higher rate at a longer tenor is only better if you can lock the money away for that period. A higher minimum locks up more capital. Use the return in dirhams for your specific amount and term, not the percentage alone. Also check the early-withdrawal penalty, because accessing the money before maturity often forfeits some or all of the interest.
The best rate depends on your tenor and minimum amount, both of which vary by bank and change over time. Rates on UAE fixed deposits move with the CBUAE base rate, which tracks the US Federal Reserve. We publish verified rates with the date they were confirmed from each bank's product page, not indicative ranges. Check live with the bank before booking, as rates can change between our update cycles.
Minimums vary by bank and tier. Many standard fixed deposits start at AED 10,000 to AED 25,000. Some banks offer lower-entry products for retail customers, and digital banks have introduced more flexible minimums. The minimum matters because a higher rate at a higher minimum may return less in dirhams than a slightly lower rate with a minimum that matches what you actually have to invest.
Early withdrawal usually means forfeiting some or all of the interest earned, and sometimes paying a penalty fee on top. The exact terms are set by the bank and vary by product. We record the early-withdrawal conditions for each verified deposit so you can see the cost of accessing your money before maturity, which is part of the true comparison, not just the rate.
No. moneycompare.ae is an information and comparison service, not a regulated adviser, and is not licensed by the CBUAE or the SCA to advise. We show rates, tenors and conditions from named bank sources so you can compare. Confirm the current rate and terms directly with the bank before placing a deposit, because rates change and offer periods end.
Usually replies within minutes