ESAF Small Finance Bank FD rates currently range from 2.75% to 7.75% p.a. for regular customers, while senior citizens can earn up to 8.25% p.a. on retail deposits below ₹3 Crores.
Below is the latest ESAF Small Finance Bank Resident & NRO FD Interest Rate Table effective for May 2026.
| FD Tenure | General Rate | Senior Citizen |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Days – 14 Days | 2.75% | 3.25% |
| 15 Days – 59 Days | 3.25% | 3.75% |
| 60 Days – 90 Days | 3.75% | 4.25% |
| 91 Days – 182 Days | 4.00% | 4.50% |
| 183 Days – 1 Year | 4.75% | 5.25% |
| 1 Year 1 Day – 500 Days | 7.25% | 7.75% |
| 501 Days Special FD | 7.50% | 8.00% |
| 502 Days – Less Than 2 Years | 7.25% | 7.75% |
| 2 Years – Less Than 3 Years | 7.75% | 8.25% |
| 3 Years – Less Than 5 Years | 6.00% | 6.50% |
| 5 Years – 10 Years | 5.75% | 6.25% |
📌 Important ESAF FD Highlights
- The highest regular FD return of 7.75% is available on deposits between 2 and 3 years
- Senior citizens can earn up to 8.25% p.a. on the same tenure bucket
- The 501-Day Special FD remains one of ESAF’s most popular promotional schemes
- Both Resident and NRO deposits follow the same retail rate structure below ₹3 Crores
- Deposits with scheduled banks are covered under DICGC insurance up to ₹5 Lakhs per depositor
💡 Tip: Many investors split funds between the 501-Day FD and the 2–3 Year FD to balance liquidity and long-term returns.
📌 Quick Insight: The gap between the 501-Day scheme and the 2–3 Year tenure is small, but the longer bucket currently delivers ESAF’s highest available FD rate.
⚠ Important: Premature closure may reduce your final return because the bank recalculates interest based on the actual completed tenure and applicable penalty rules.
You can verify the latest rates directly from the official ESAF Bank Interest Rate Page .
Read Below: NRI FD Rates • FD Interest Calculation • Senior Citizen Benefits • Online FD Opening • Premature Withdrawal Rules • ESAF FD Schemes
1. ESAF FD Interest Rates for Senior Citizens
ESAF Small Finance Bank offers an additional 0.50% interest rate to senior citizens aged 60 years and above across eligible FD tenures.
Senior Citizen Benefits
- Extra 0.50% interest over regular FD rates
- Benefit applies automatically after age verification
- Available on both short-term and long-term fixed deposits.
- No separate registration required
Under the latest senior citizen FD rates:
- Up to 8.25% p.a. on select 2–3 year deposits
- Up to 8.00% p.a. on the special 501 Days FD scheme
For retirees looking for predictable income, these higher rates can make a noticeable difference over time.
Tax Benefits Available
- 5-Year Tax Saver FD qualifies for Section 80C tax benefits
- Senior citizens can claim interest income deduction up to ₹50,000 as per applicable tax rules
- Eligible depositors can submit Form 15H to avoid unnecessary TDS deduction
📌 What Many Retirees Forget: A lot of senior citizens focus on getting the highest FD rate but forget to submit Form 15H at the beginning of the financial year. This can lead to TDS deductions even when their total taxable income is below the applicable limit.
2. Core Types of ESAF Bank Fixed Deposits
ESAF Small Finance Bank offers different FD schemes for regular savers, tax-conscious investors, and customers who want their deposits to support social development initiatives.
1. ESAF Regular Fixed Deposit
The standard FD option for most investors.
- Flexible tenure choices
- Monthly interest payout available
- Quarterly compounding option for higher maturity value
- Suitable for both income seekers and long-term savers
2. ESAF Hrudaya Deposit
A special deposit scheme with a social impact focus.
- Part of the pooled funds is used for rural and community development projects
- Supports financial inclusion in underbanked areas
- Allows investors to earn fixed returns while contributing to social initiatives
3. ESAF Tax Shield FD
Designed for investors looking to combine tax savings with fixed returns.
- Eligible for tax benefits under Section 80C
- Tax deduction available up to ₹1.5 lakh
- Mandatory 5-year lock-in period
- Regular Citizen Rate: 5.75% p.a.
- Senior Citizen Rate: 6.25% p.a.
- Premature withdrawal is not allowed during the lock-in period
📌 Worth Knowing:
Most investors choose the Regular FD, but if you already plan to claim Section 80C deductions, the Tax Shield FD can help you earn interest while also reducing your taxable income.
3. ESAF NRE Fixed Deposit Interest Rates
NRIs who want to keep their overseas earnings in India can open an NRE Fixed Deposit with ESAF. These deposits are designed for non-resident customers looking for fixed returns on foreign income parked in India.
Key NRE FD Rules
- Minimum tenure starts from 1 year
- If the FD is closed before completing 365 days, no interest is paid by the bank
- NRE deposits follow a separate set of eligibility rules for NRIs
- Senior citizen extra interest benefits are not available on NRE accounts
ESAF NRE FD Interest Rates (01/05/2026)
| Period | Rate of Interest |
|---|---|
| 1 year | 4.75% |
| 1 year 1 day to 500 days | 7.25% |
| 501 days | 7.50% |
| 502 days to less than 2 years | 7.25% |
| 2 years to less than 3 years | 7.75% |
| 3 years to less than 5 years | 6.00% |
| 5 years to 10 years | 5.75% |
For deposits above 1 year, ESAF generally offers NRE FD rates similar to its resident FD rate structure, with the highest returns currently available in the 2 to below 3 years tenure bucket.
📌 Important Note:
The 1-year minimum holding rule is one of the biggest conditions in NRE FDs. Even if you break the deposit just a few days before completing 365 days, the bank does not pay any interest on the amount.
4. How to Book via ESAF Smart Mobile App
Existing ESAF savings account holders can open a Fixed Deposit online in just a few minutes.
- Log in to the ESAF Mobile Banking App.
- Go to the Term Deposits section.
- Select Open Fixed Deposit.
- Choose the savings account from which you want to fund the FD.
- Enter the deposit amount (minimum ₹1,000).
- Select your preferred tenure, such as 501 Days or 24 Months.
- Choose your payout option:
- Cumulative Growth
- Monthly Interest
- Quarterly Interest
- Verify your PAN and nominee details.
- Confirm the transaction using your transaction PIN.
📌 Quick Tip: If you already have an ESAF savings account with completed KYC, opening an FD online usually takes just a few minutes since the bank can use your existing account details and verification records.
ESAF FD Rates vs Other Popular Banks
Here’s how ESAF Small Finance Bank compares with other banks for deposits below ₹3 crore.
| Bank | Regular Rate | Senior Citizen Rate | Best Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESAF Small Finance Bank | 7.75% p.a. | 8.25% p.a. | 2 Years to Below 3 Years |
| Suryoday Small Finance Bank | 8.10% p.a. | 8.60% p.a. | Special FD Schemes |
| Jana Small Finance Bank | 8.00% p.a. | 8.50% p.a. | Medium-Term Deposits |
| AU Small Finance Bank | 7.25% | 7.75% | 30 Months 1 Day – 36 Months |
| South Indian Bank | 6.80% p.a. | 7.30% p.a. | 30-Month FD |
| Federal Bank | 7.40% p.a. | 7.90% p.a. | 400-Day FD |
📌 Something Most Investors Overlook: The highest FD rate is not always the best deal. Small Finance Banks often offer higher returns, but many investors also compare branch availability, service quality, and deposit insurance limits before choosing where to park their money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FD interest rate in ESAF Bank in 2026?
As of January 2026, ESAF Bank offers FD interest from 2.75% to 7.60% for general citizens and up to 8.10% for senior citizens on a 444-day tenure.
What is the 444-day FD scheme in ESAF Bank?
The 444-day FD is ESAF’s highest-return tenure, offering 7.60% for general citizens and 8.10% for seniors, balancing strong returns with a relatively short lock-in.
What are the main benefits of ESAF Fixed Deposits?
ESAF FDs offer high mid-term returns, senior citizen bonus rates, flexible payout options, loan against FD, auto-renewal, and easy access through branches and online banking.
Is ESAF Small Finance Bank FD safe for investment?
Yes, ESAF FDs are covered under DICGC insurance up to ₹5 lakh per depositor per bank and follow RBI regulations, making them a relatively safe fixed-income option.
Do senior citizens get extra benefits on ESAF FDs?
Senior citizens receive an additional 0.50% interest across FD tenures, flexible payout options, tax benefits, and dedicated in-branch services designed for retirement income needs.
Can I withdraw ESAF FD before maturity?
Premature withdrawal is allowed after the minimum period, but a 1% penalty applies on the applicable interest rate; no interest is paid if closed within 7 days.
How is TDS deducted on ESAF Fixed Deposits?
TDS is deducted whenever interest is paid or reinvested and also on accrued interest at financial year-end; Form 16A is issued quarterly for tax filing.
Which ESAF FD tenure is best in 2026?
In 2026, the 444-day FD offers the best risk-return balance, especially for senior citizens, delivering higher returns without locking funds for long multi-year periods.
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