Time Deposit Strategy | HSBC takes the lead in lowering time deposit interest rates in March, while another bank offers a 20-cent discount, promoting itself as "self-produced long-term grain."

【Time Deposits/Fixed Deposits/High-Interest Fixed Deposits】 Amidst the tense situation in the Middle East, the Hong Kong dollar interbank offered rate (Hibor) has recently continued to decline, with the 1-month Hibor reported at 2.196 cents last Friday, down over 0.2 cents week-on-week; at the same time, HSBC has recently led the way in lowering the 3-month Hong Kong dollar fixed deposit interest rate to 2.2 cents, with several other banks also showing a trend of lowering fixed deposit rates. However, some banks are still offering many high-interest promotions. According to data from major banks, WeLab Bank has launched a new customer promotion for a 7-day Hong Kong dollar fixed deposit at 20 cents, PAObank continues to offer a maximum of 15 cents for new customers on a 3-month fixed deposit, while Dahsing Bank has introduced a series of deposit promotions with a maximum of 2.8 cents, promoting "low thresholds and flexible contributions" and "self-made long-term deposits and stable income." Fixed Deposit Rate Comparison | Which Bank Offers Higher Interest Rates for Fixed Deposits? ．WeLab Offers 7-Day 20 Cents New Customer Promotion WeLab Bank's Hong Kong dollar fixed deposit rates for 3 months and 6 months have been reduced to a maximum of 2.55 cents and 2.62 cents, respectively, with a minimum deposit requirement of HKD 200,000 or more; if the minimum deposit is HKD 10, the interest rates for 3, 6, and 12 months are 2.5 cents, 2.55 cents, and 2.55 cents, respectively. In addition, the bank offers ultra-long-term fixed deposits for 18 and 24 months at an interest rate of 2.25 cents, with a minimum deposit of HKD 10. For US dollar fixed deposits, the 1-month rate is 3 cents per annum, while the rates for 3, 6, and 12 months are 3.3 cents, 3.3 cents, and 3.2 cents, with a minimum deposit of USD 10. On the other hand, the bank has launched a new customer promotion for a 7-day Hong Kong dollar fixed deposit at 20 cents, applicable for principal amounts ranging from HKD 10,000 to HKD 100,000, with the promotion period ending on March 31; at the same time, if customers deposit no less than HKD 10,000 in new funds and maintain it for at least 30 calendar days within 30 calendar days from the account opening date, they can enjoy a HKD 100 "Deposit Achievement Reward"; additionally, if they meet the above conditions and complete a qualified fund transaction of no less than HKD 10,000, they can receive an extra HKD 100 "Wealth Management Bonus Reward." ．PAObank New Customer 3-Month 15 Cents PAObank recently extended its promotional rates for 3-month and 6-month Hong Kong dollar fixed deposits, offering 3 cents and 2.9 cents per annum, respectively, with a deposit requirement of HKD 100 to HKD 1 million in new funds, but the quota is limited and will end once full; the promotion period is until March 31. In addition, the bank's current general Hong Kong dollar fixed deposit rates for 3, 6, and 12 months are 2.65 cents, 2.7 cents, and 2.7 cents, with a minimum deposit of HKD 100. For US dollar fixed deposits, the bank offers a uniform rate of 2.9 cents for 3, 6, and 12 months. Regarding new customer promotions, before March 31, new eligible personal customers of the bank can open a personal savings account using a referral code, successfully open the account, and create a 1-month Hong Kong dollar fixed deposit, with the first HKD 100,000 enjoying a high-interest promotion of 12 cents At the same time, from March 1 to March 31, existing customers who successfully refer friends to open an account and establish a fixed deposit of HKD 10,000 or more will receive HKD 500; each referrer has a cumulative reward limit of HKD 10,000 during the promotional period, meaning a maximum of 20 successful referrals. The top three referrers who refer the most new customers during the promotion will receive additional cash rewards of HKD 2,888, HKD 1,888, and HKD 888, respectively; in other words, referrers can earn a total of up to HKD 12,888 in rewards. As for the referred customers, after successfully opening an account, they can also enjoy a one-month HKD fixed deposit preferential rate, with the first HKD 100,000 having an annual interest rate of 0.15%. ．ICBC Asia New Customer 3-Month 0.38% ICBC Asia has launched a new customer mobile banking "e-account opening" fixed deposit promotion with an interest rate of 0.38%, applicable for deposits ranging from HKD 1,000 to HKD 100,000, with the promotion period ending on March 31. For new ICBC Wealth customers, if they open a 3-month HKD fixed deposit at a branch with HKD 3 million or more, the maximum interest rate is 0.258%; for completely new Wealth Management, Wealth e-Age, or Comprehensive customers, the maximum for 3 months is 0.253%, with a minimum deposit of HKD 100,000 or more. In addition, existing ICBC Wealth or Wealth Management accounts that open HKD fixed deposits at a branch with new funds will see the 98-day rate reduced to 0.24%, and the 188-day rate also reduced to 0.23%, with a required deposit of HKD 800,000 or more; for retail banking individual customers, the deposit amount is over HKD 50,000, with rates of 0.235% and 0.225% for 98 days and 188 days, respectively. For USD fixed deposits, the bank offers a maximum of 0.36% and 0.355% for 98 days or 188 days, with a minimum deposit of USD 100,000 or more; if the minimum deposit is USD 15,000 or more, the rates are reduced to 0.355% and 0.35%, respectively. ．Dah Sing Bank Deposit Plan Maximum 0.28% Dah Sing Bank's VIP customers have their 3-month and 6-month HKD fixed deposit rates reduced to 0.23% and 0.22%, respectively, with a 12-month rate of 0.20%, requiring a minimum deposit of HKD 200,000; for general customers, the maximum rates for 3-month and 6-month are 0.22% and 0.21%, with a 12-month rate of 0.19%, but requiring a minimum deposit of HKD 1,000,000; if the deposit amount is between HKD 200,000 and below HKD 1,000,000, each deposit period is lower by 0.01%. For USD fixed deposits, VIP customers have maximum rates of 0.34% and 0.33% for 3-month and 6-month, with a 12-month rate of 0.32%, requiring a minimum deposit of HKD 1,000,000 or equivalent; for general customers, the maximum rates for 3-month and 6-month are 0.31% and 0.30%, with a 12-month rate of 0.29%, also requiring a minimum deposit of HKD 1,000,000. Additionally, the bank has launched a series of deposit promotions with a maximum rate of 0.28%, valid until March 31. Among them, the "Dream Come True" zero deposit savings plan boasts "low thresholds and flexible contributions," with deposit periods selectable at 52 weeks or 12 months, with a minimum fixed amount of HKD 100 per week or HKD 500 per month, and a total deposit limit of HKD 500,000, with new deposit customers enjoying a maximum rate of 0.28% Existing customers upgrade to 2.5 cents; existing customers are at 2.1 cents. Another "Yue Chu Ben Xi" fixed deposit boasts "self-made long-term grain and stable interest income." Eligible customers can open a designated deposit amount (HKD 100,000 to HKD 500,000) for a 12-month fixed deposit at any branch, with new deposit customers enjoying a maximum of 2.8 cents; existing customers are at 2.1 cents, but the quota is limited and will end once full. The bank mentioned that this plan offers flexible withdrawal options, allowing customers to withdraw only interest each month or withdraw part of the principal and interest each month. ．Fusion Bank 12 months 2.65 cents Fusion Bank's existing customers have the 3-month HKD fixed deposit interest rate reduced to 2.5 cents; the 6-month and 12-month fixed deposit interest rates are 2.6 cents and 2.65 cents, with a minimum deposit of HKD 1. For USD fixed deposits, the bank offers an interest rate of 3.5 cents for 3, 6, and 12 months. Additionally, the bank launched a "Flash Monday" event offering an annual interest rate of up to 25 cents for HKD fixed deposits. New customers who open an account with the invitation code "FLASH2026" and deposit new funds before May 3 can grab the 25 cents 14-day HKD fixed deposit offer on Monday, with a quota of 1,000; each quota is HKD 50,000, and each customer is limited to one. At the same time, the bank also offers 8.8 cents for 1 week and 2.85 cents for 6 months, with quotas of 100 and 2,000 respectively, allowing each customer to grab one and 60, applicable to both new and existing customers. ．Starling Bank 12 months 2.6 cents Starling Bank offers a 3-month HKD fixed deposit interest rate of 2.1 cents, 4 months at 2.2 cents, 6 months at 2.5 cents, and 9 months and 12 months at 2.5 cents and 2.6 cents respectively, with a minimum deposit of HKD 1,000. For USD fixed deposits, the bank offers an interest rate of 3.5 cents for 3 months and 4 months, and 3.5 cents for 6 months, with 9 months and 12 months also at 3.5 cents. ．Ant Bank 12 months 2.5 cents Ant Bank's HKD 3-month fixed deposit has been reduced to 1.8 cents, 6 months to 2.2 cents, while 9 months and 12 months remain at 2.3 cents and 2.5 cents, with a minimum deposit of HKD 1 in new funds. For USD fixed deposits, the interest rate for 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months is uniformly 3 cents. ．Fubon 3, 4, and 6 months reduced to 2.45 cents Fubon Bank's 3-month, 4-month, and 6-month HKD fixed deposit interest rates have all been reduced to 2.45 cents, with 1 month and 2 months at 2.15 cents, and 12 months at 2.5 cents, with a minimum deposit of HKD 500,000, applicable to both new and existing funds, and must be applied through the Fubon+ mobile application. As for the bank's 3-month USD fixed deposit interest rate, it is 3.7 cents, with 1 month and 2 months at 3.5 cents and 3.65 cents respectively, and 4 months, 6 months, and 12 months at 3.6 cents, 3.6 cents, and 3.45 cents, with a minimum deposit of USD 65,000 or more ．CITIC Bank International 3-month rate drops to 2.4 cents CITIC Bank (International) offers a 3-month Hong Kong dollar time deposit interest rate of 2.4 cents for new funds opened by both new and existing customers through the "inMotion Dynamic Banking" service, with the 6-month and 12-month rates at 2.35 cents and 2.35 cents respectively, with a minimum deposit of HKD 100,000 in new funds. If the minimum deposit is HKD 10,000, the interest rates for 3, 6, and 12 months are 2.35 cents, 2.25 cents, and 2.3 cents respectively. For US dollar time deposits, the interest rates for 3 months and 6 months are 3.65 cents and 3.5 cents, while the 12-month rate is 3.4 cents, with a minimum deposit of USD 10,000 in new funds. ．Nanyang Commercial Bank 3-month rate drops to 2.4 cents Nanyang Commercial Bank's Hong Kong dollar time deposit 3-month interest rate has dropped to a maximum of 2.4 cents, with a minimum deposit of HKD 1,000,000, but this is only available to selected wealth management customers; for general wealth management customers, the interest rate is 2.25 cents. The maximum interest rates for 6 and 12 months are 2.4 cents and 2.3 cents, also available only to selected wealth management customers; for general wealth management customers, the rates are 2.35 cents and 2.25 cents. For other customers, the maximum for 3 months is 2.2 cents, with a minimum deposit of HKD 100,000, and the rates for 6 and 12 months are 2.3 cents and 2.2 cents respectively. For US dollar time deposits, selected wealth management customers can get a maximum of 3.55 cents for 3 months, and 3.5 cents and 3.25 cents for 6 and 12 months respectively; for general customers, the rates for 3, 6, and 12 months are 3.45 cents, 3.4 cents, and 3.15 cents, with a minimum deposit equivalent to HKD 100,000. ．Chiyu Banking Corporation 3 and 4-month rates drop to 2.4 cents Chiyu Banking Corporation's 3 and 4-month Hong Kong dollar time deposit rates have dropped to 2.4 cents, while the 6-month and 12-month rates are 2.3 cents and 2 cents respectively, with a minimum deposit of HKD 1,000,000 to HKD 50,000,000 in new funds; if the minimum deposit is between HKD 200,000 and HKD 1,000,000, the interest rates for 3, 4, 6, and 12 months are 2.25 cents, 2.25 cents, 2.1 cents, and 1.8 cents respectively, and these offers are only applicable at branches. For US dollar time deposits, the interest rates for 3, 6, and 12 months are 3.55 cents, 3.3 cents, and 2.75 cents respectively, with a minimum deposit of USD 125,000 to USD 10,000,000 in new funds; if the minimum deposit is between USD 30,000 and USD 125,000, the interest rates for 3, 6, and 12 months are 3.2 cents, 3.05 cents, and 2.65 cents respectively, also only applicable at branches. ．Public Bank 3-month rate drops to 2.35 cents Public Bank's Hong Kong dollar time deposit 3-month rate has dropped to 2.35 cents, with the 6-month rate at 2.3 cents and the 12-month rate at 2.2 cents, with a minimum deposit of HKD 500,000, applicable to both new and existing funds, and must be processed through electronic banking. If the minimum deposit is between HKD 100,000 and HKD 500,000, the rates for 3 months and 6 months are 2.3 cents and 2.25 cents respectively, with the 12-month rate at 2.15 cents; The minimum deposit amount is below HKD 100,000, with interest rates of 2.25 cents for 3 months, 2.2 cents for 6 months, and 2.1 cents for 12 months. ．Mox 12-month fixed deposit at 2.3 cents Mox Bank offers interest rates of 2.2 cents for 3-month and 6-month HKD fixed deposits, and 2.3 cents for 12 months, with a minimum deposit of HKD 1. Additionally, it is one of the few banks in the market offering 36-month and 48-month HKD fixed deposits at an interest rate of 2.3 cents. For USD fixed deposits, the bank offers interest rates of 3.3 cents for 1-month, 2-month, and 3-month deposits, and 3.25 cents and 3.1 cents for 6-month and 12-month deposits, respectively. ．CCB Asia 3-month at 2.3 cents CCB Asia offers a 3-month fixed deposit with an interest rate of 2.3 cents for customers opening accounts with qualified new funds, with a minimum deposit of HKD 1 million or more. For USD fixed deposits, the interest rate for 3 months is 3.6 cents, with a minimum deposit of USD 100,000 or more. For new customers opening a "VIP Wealth Management" account, a 3-month HKD fixed deposit with a deposit amount between HKD 1 million and HKD 2.5 million will have an annual interest rate of 6.88 cents for the first 20% of funds, while the remaining 80% will be calculated at a different fixed deposit interest rate. The promotional period ends on March 31. Additionally, new eligible customers opening accounts through the "e-account service" can enjoy a cash reward of RMB 200. If they also open a securities account, they can make a 1-month HKD fixed deposit at 12 cents with a minimum of HKD 100,000, or a 3-month HKD fixed deposit at 5.88 cents with a minimum of HKD 100,000; if only a general savings or checking account is opened, they can only make a 1-month HKD fixed deposit at 12 cents with a minimum of HKD 50,000, or a 3-month HKD fixed deposit at 5.88 cents with a minimum of HKD 50,000. The promotional period ends on March 31. ．Livi Bank 3-month fixed deposit reduced to 2.3 cents Livi Bank's HKD fixed deposit interest rate for 3 months has been reduced to 2.3 cents, 4 months is also 2.3 cents, 6 months is 2.2 cents, and 9 months and 12 months are 2 cents, with a minimum deposit of HKD 50,000 or more; if the deposit amount is between HKD 500 and HKD 50,000, the rates for 3 months and 4 months are 1.1 cents and 1.2 cents, respectively, while for 6 months and 9 months it is 1.3 cents, and for 12 months it is 1.6 cents. For USD fixed deposits, the interest rates for 3, 6, and 12 months are 3.4 cents, 3.3 cents, and 3.2 cents, respectively. ．HSBC 3-month reduced to 2.2 cents HSBC's 3-month HKD fixed deposit interest rate has been reduced from 2.4 cents to 2.2 cents, and the 6-month rate has been reduced from 2.1 cents to 2 cents, applicable to wealth management customers, HSBC One, and other customers, with a minimum deposit of HKD 10,000 in new funds. For USD fixed deposits, HSBC wealth management customers have interest rates of 3.2 cents and 3.1 cents for 3-month and 6-month deposits, respectively, and 3 cents for 12-month deposits; HSBC One and other customers have rates of 3 cents, 2.9 cents, and 2.8 cents respectively, with a minimum deposit of $2,000 or more in new funds. In addition, HSBC continues to offer a promotional rate of up to 10 cents for 1-month Hong Kong dollar time deposits, with a minimum deposit of HKD 10,000, but requires joining the "Transaction Club" and completing at least one transaction per month. It is worth noting that the more the monthly transaction amount, the lower the brokerage commission will be, and the upper limit for the 10 cents time deposit will also be higher, with monthly transaction amount requirements ranging from HKD 1 to HKD 40 million, and commissions from 0.01% to 0.25%, while the time deposit upper limit ranges from HKD 10,000 to a maximum of HKD 4 million. ．Hang Seng Bank 3-month rate drops to 2.2 cents Hang Seng Bank's 3-month and 6-month Hong Kong dollar time deposit rates are 2.2 cents and 1.9 cents respectively, and must be opened through online banking, applicable to Superior Private Banking, Superior Banking, and Comprehensive Accounts, with a minimum deposit of HKD 10,000 in new funds. As for the bank's US dollar time deposits for 3-month and 6-month terms, the rates are 3.3 cents and 3.2 cents respectively, with a minimum deposit of USD 2,000 or more. ．Citibank 3-month rate at 2.2 cents Citibank's 1-month Hong Kong dollar time deposit rate is 2.01 cents, while the 2-month and 3-month rates are 1.8 cents and 2.2 cents respectively, and the 6-month and 12-month rates are 1.8 cents and 1.69 cents respectively, with no maximum or minimum deposit limits. For US dollar time deposits, the 1-month and 2-month rates are 3.08 cents and 3.07 cents, while the 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month rates are 3.06 cents, 3.01 cents, and 2.88 cents respectively. However, the above annual interest rates are for reference only and may fluctuate daily. ．DBS Bank 3-month rate drops to 2.15 cents DBS Bank's online 3-month Hong Kong dollar time deposit rate is 2.15 cents, while the 6-month and 12-month rates are 2 cents, with a minimum deposit of HKD 50,000, applicable to DBS Treasures and private clients, as well as general DBS customers. For US dollar time deposits, the bank's online 3-month time deposit rate is 3.3 cents, while the 6-month and 12-month rates are 3.1 cents and 2.7 cents respectively. ．Bank of East Asia 3-month rate drops to 2.1 cents Bank of East Asia's online 3-month and 6-month Hong Kong dollar time deposit rates are both 2.1 cents, with a minimum deposit of HKD 10,000 in new funds, applicable to Premier Private Banking or Premier Banking customers; while for Prestige Banking customers, BEA GOAL, or other personal comprehensive accounts, the rate is 2.05 cents. For the 12-month term, Premier Private Banking or Premier Banking customers have a maximum rate of 2 cents, while Prestige Banking customers, BEA GOAL, or other personal comprehensive accounts have a rate of 1.95 cents. For US dollar time deposits, the rates for 3-month and 6-month are 3.4 cents and 3.2 cents respectively, while the 12-month rate is 2.9 cents, applicable to Premier Private Banking or Premier Banking customers; for Prestige Banking customers, BEA GOAL, or other personal comprehensive accounts, the rates for 3, 6, and 12 months are 3.35 cents, 3.15 cents, and 2.85 cents respectively The minimum deposit amount must be USD 1,000 or more. ．Standard Chartered 3-Month Time Deposit Reduced to 2.1% Standard Chartered Bank generally offers a 3-month time deposit interest rate of 2.1%, 1.95% for 6 months, and 2% for 12 months, with a minimum deposit of HKD 10,000 in new funds. As for the bank's USD time deposits, the rates are 3.2% for 3 and 6 months, and 2.8% for 12 months, with a minimum deposit of USD 2,000 or more in new funds. ．Bank of China 3 Months at 2.1% Bank of China Hong Kong offers a 3-month time deposit interest rate of 2.1%, and 1.9% for 6 months, with a minimum deposit of HKD 10,000, which must be opened through online banking or mobile banking. This applies not only to private wealth and Bank of China wealth management clients but also to Smart Wealth Management, Easy Wealth Management, and other individual clients. For USD time deposits, private wealth and Bank of China wealth management clients can enjoy a 3-month time deposit interest rate of 3%, and 2.9% for 6 months; for Smart Wealth Management, Easy Wealth Management, and other individual clients, the rate is 0.2% lower, with a minimum deposit of USD 1,000. ．ZA Bank 12-Month Time Deposit at 2.01% ZA Bank offers a 3-month HKD time deposit at 0.51%, 4 months at 0.61%, and 6 and 12 months at 1.61% and 2.01%, respectively; for USD time deposits, the 4-month interest rate is 3.11%. Additionally, the bank has a "Rate Increase Tuesday" event, where users can receive 4 deposit interest increase vouchers every Tuesday, along with a base annual interest rate of 0.1%, with a maximum rate of up to 9%. If users invite friends to complete specified actions, and the friend's progress reaches 100% on Tuesday, they can receive "additional interest increase vouchers," ultimately achieving a maximum interest rate of 18%. However, the limits, terms, rates, and validity of the interest increase vouchers are subject to the content displayed on the vouchers, with the promotion period ending on March 31. Federal Reserve Meeting Schedule | How Much Will the U.S. Cut Rates? According to the CME FedWatch Tool, the probability of the Federal Reserve cutting rates by 0.25% in March 2026 is only 3.7%, while the probability of maintaining the current rate has reached 96.3%. By April, the probability of maintaining the rate remains at 88.3%, with the chances of a 0.25% and 0.5% rate cut at 11.4% and 0.3%, respectively. Below is the Federal Reserve's 2026 Meeting Schedule: January 28, 2026 March 18, 2026 April 29, 2026 June 17, 2026 July 29, 2026 September 16, 2026 October 28, 2026 December 9, 2026