Best e-Fixed Deposit Malaysia 2026: Highest eFD Rates and Online Promotions Compared
AmBank eFD at 3.65% p.a. for 12 months. That's the best accessible eFD rate in Malaysia right now — RM1,000 minimum, PIDM-protected, expires May 31. If you want a shorter lock-in or a longer runway, CIMB's eFD-i (3.60% across 3/6/12 months, expires May 28) and Public Bank's eFD FPX (3.55% for 6 months, runs to June 30) are the next two picks. The Hari Raya cycle closed April 30 — these are the post-Raya numbers, verified today.
View AmBank eFD 3.65% (12M, expires May 31) →Current eFD Rates at a Glance (May 9, 2026)
| Bank | Product | Best Rate | Best Tenure | Min Deposit | Promo Expires | PIDM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmBank | eFD / eTD-i | 3.65% p.a. | 12 months | RM1,000 | 31 May 2026 | ✅ |
| CIMB | eFD-i May 2026 | 3.60% p.a. | 3, 6 or 12 months | RM1,000 | 28 May 2026 | ✅ |
| Public Bank | eFD via FPX | 3.55% p.a. | 6 months | RM5,000 | 30 Jun 2026 | ✅ |
| AmBank | eFD (9-month tier) | 3.60% p.a. | 9 months | RM1,000 | 31 May 2026 | ✅ |
| Hong Leong Bank | eFD (board rate only) | ~2.10% p.a. | 13–60 months | RM500 | Raya promo expired 29 Apr | ✅ |
| Maybank | eFD board rate | ~1.95% p.a. | 12 months | RM1,000 | Raya eIFD-i closed 30 Apr | ✅ |
Sources: AmBank promotions page, CIMB eFD-i May 2026 campaign page, rates.my live tracker, individual bank board rates. Verified May 9, 2026. Promo windows are tight — confirm at official bank sites before placing.
One note before we go further: CIMB also lists a Term Investment Account-i (TIA-i) at 3.70% — higher than the eFD-i — but TIA-i is NOT a deposit product and is NOT PIDM insured. More on that below. Don't mix them up.
What Is an e-Fixed Deposit, Exactly?
An e-Fixed Deposit is a standard fixed deposit placed entirely online — through your bank's app or internet banking portal — rather than at a branch counter. The underlying product is legally identical to a physical FD: you lock your money for a fixed tenure, earn a set interest rate, and get your principal plus interest back at maturity.
The reason to care about eFDs specifically is promotional pricing. Banks use eFD campaigns to attract new funds during certain periods — Raya, CNY, year-end — and the online-only rates can be meaningfully higher than branch rates. Right now, AmBank's eFD pays 3.65% for 12 months. Their standard board rate for a 12-month physical FD? Around 2.30%. That's a 1.35 percentage point difference for doing the same thing online instead of in person.
eFDs also tend to have lower minimum deposits during campaign periods (RM1,000 vs RM5,000+ for branch placements) and you can place them at 11pm from your couch. The downside: promo rates are time-limited and auto-renew at the lower board rate unless you act at maturity.
Post-Raya: What's Live in May 2026
Top Pick — AmBank eFD/eTD-i (until May 31)
AmBank's eFD/eTD-i May campaign is the cleanest high-rate placement available right now. Three tiers: 3.65% for 12 months, 3.60% for 9 months, 3.40% for 3 months. Minimum RM1,000. Place via FPX from any Malaysian bank or transfer from your own AmBank/AmBank Islamic CASA. The 12-month tier is the post-Raya headline rate — every other major bank's 12-month promo has rolled off. Non-customers can join via the AmOnline app download. Runs to May 31. Check AmBank's eFD page directly for current T&Cs.
Best Short Commitment — CIMB eFD-i (until May 28)
CIMB's eFD-i May 2026 campaign offers a flat 3.60% across 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month tenures — minimum RM1,000. The unusual feature: the rate is the same regardless of tenure, so locking for 3 months gives you the same yield as 12 months. If you only want a 3-month commitment at 3.60% with the option to redeploy at maturity, this beats AmBank's 3-month tier (3.40%) by 20 bps. Place via CIMB Clicks or the CIMB OCTO app using FPX. Promotion runs April 1 to May 28.
Longest Runway — Public Bank eFD FPX (until June 30)
Public Bank's eFD via FPX remains the longest-running promo in Q2 — through June 30. Rate is 3.55% for 6 months at a higher RM5,000 minimum. The FPX mechanism means you don't need an existing Public Bank account: you transfer directly from any Malaysian bank via FPX. If you can't decide before AmBank's May 31 cut-off, this is the fallback that buys you another month to plan.
What Closed at the End of Raya
The Hari Raya 2026 cycle is over. HLB's Hari Raya eFD (rates up to 3.65% for 12 months) ran 16 March to 29 April. Maybank's eIFD-i Raya 2026 (3.55% for 6/12 months) closed 30 April. CIMB's eFD-i Raya (3.60% for 6 months) and AmBank's Raya E-FD (3.68% for 12 months) both ended 30 April. AmBank rolled directly into a new May campaign at 3.65% — slightly lower than the Raya peak but the only major bank still running a 12-month promotional tier. CIMB extended to May 28 at 3.60%. The other three are back to board rates until the next campaign cycle.
eFD vs Physical FD: Is the Rate Premium Real?
Yes, and it can be significant. During the current May cycle:
- AmBank eFD 12-month promo: 3.65% p.a.
- AmBank physical FD 12-month board rate: ~2.30% p.a.
- Difference: +1.35 percentage points for going online
On RM10,000 for 12 months, that's roughly RM135 in additional interest just for using the app instead of the branch counter. Outside of promotional periods, the difference shrinks to 0.05–0.15% — but during campaign windows like this one, the premium is material.
Looking for non-FD savings options that earn more? Our best high-yield savings account guide covers digital banks like GXBank (up to 4.00% for 6-month Bonus Pockets) where your funds stay liquid.
The PIDM Question: eFD vs TIA-i
CIMB is currently running two products side by side that look similar but are legally very different:
- CIMB eFD-i — Fixed deposit. Up to 3.60% p.a. PIDM insured up to RM250,000. ✅
- CIMB TIA-i — Investment account tied to underlying assets. Up to 3.70% p.a. NOT PIDM insured. ⚠️
CIMB's own campaign page explicitly states: "Term Deposit Accounts-i is an investment account product that is tied to the performance of underlying assets, and is NOT a deposit product." The TIA-i may offer a marginally higher rate, but you're taking on investment risk and losing deposit insurance coverage. For most savers, the extra 0.10% isn't worth the trade-off. Stick with the eFD-i.
All eFD products listed in our comparison table above — AmBank eFD, CIMB eFD-i, Public Bank eFD via FPX — are genuine deposit products and are PIDM protected up to RM250,000 per depositor per bank.
How to Open an eFD Online: Step-by-Step
AmBank eFD/eTD-i (top May pick — via AmOnline)
- Log in to AmOnline or download the AmOnline app (non-customers can register first)
- Navigate to Accounts → Deposits → eFixed Deposit
- Select 12-month tenure for the headline 3.65% rate
- Minimum RM1,000 — fund via FPX from any Malaysian bank or from your own AmBank CASA
- Confirm placement before May 31, 2026
CIMB eFD-i (via CIMB OCTO App or Clicks Web)
- Log in to CIMB OCTO App or CIMB Clicks at clicks.cimb.com.my
- Go to Accounts → Fixed Deposit → eFD-i
- Select tenure (3, 6, or 12 months) — all three pay the same 3.60% during the May campaign
- Enter amount (minimum RM1,000)
- Choose funding source: your CIMB account, or FPX from another bank
- Review and confirm before May 28 — your eFD is placed immediately
Public Bank eFD via FPX (no existing PBB account needed)
- Visit pbebank.com or use the PB engage app
- Select Apply → Fixed Deposit → eFD via FPX
- Enter amount (minimum RM5,000)
- Select FPX as funding source — choose your bank from the list
- Complete FPX authentication in your own bank's app
- Placement confirmed — you'll receive a confirmation reference number. Promo runs to June 30.
Our Verdict
Top pick: AmBank eFD at 3.65% p.a. for 12 months. RM1,000 minimum, PIDM-protected, FPX-accepting (non-AmBank customers welcome). Closes May 31. The only major-bank 12-month promo still running after Raya — and the highest accessible rate on the table.
Two strong alternatives, depending on horizon:
- Short commitment: CIMB eFD-i at 3.60% p.a. for 3 months — RM1,000 minimum. Same rate as the 6 and 12-month tiers, so this is the cleanest "park and reassess" option. Closes May 28.
- Latest runway: Public Bank eFD FPX at 3.55% p.a. for 6 months — RM5,000 minimum, but extends to June 30. Use this if you can't act before AmBank's May 31 deadline.
For context: compare our full best fixed deposit rates roundup if you're also considering branch placements or smaller banks with higher promotional rates.
Open AmBank eFD 3.65% (12M, by May 31) → Check CIMB eFD-i May 3.60% Rate (by May 28) →Frequently Asked Questions
Is an e-Fixed Deposit the same as a regular Fixed Deposit?
Yes — the underlying product is identical. The 'e' simply means you place it online (via internet banking or a mobile app) rather than walking into a branch. The key difference is that banks frequently offer promotional rates exclusively for online placements, which is why eFD rates can be 0.10–1.60 percentage points higher than branch rates during promo cycles.
Is my e-Fixed Deposit protected by PIDM?
Yes, provided you place it with a PIDM member bank (all major Malaysian banks are). Your combined deposits — savings, current, and fixed deposits — are covered up to RM250,000 per depositor per bank. Important: CIMB's TIA-i (Term Investment Account-i) is an investment product and is NOT covered by PIDM. Stick to eFD or eFD-i products if PIDM protection matters to you.
Can I withdraw an e-Fixed Deposit early?
Technically yes, but most banks impose an early withdrawal penalty — you forfeit some or all of the interest earned. HLB's eFD allows partial withdrawal in RM1,000 multiples while retaining interest on the remaining balance, which makes it more flexible than most. For CIMB and Maybank eFD, early full withdrawal typically forfeits all promotional interest. Always check the T&Cs before committing.
Which tenure gives the highest eFD rate right now?
As of May 2026, AmBank's eFD 12-month at 3.65% p.a. is the highest accessible promotional rate (RM1,000 minimum, runs to May 31). For shorter commitments, CIMB's eFD-i May 2026 campaign offers 3.60% across 3, 6, and 12-month tenures (RM1,000 min, runs to May 28). If you want the longest promo validity, Public Bank's eFD via FPX continues to June 30 at 3.55% for 6 months.
What happens to my eFD rate after the promo ends?
Upon maturity, most banks automatically renew at the prevailing board rate — which is currently 1.75–2.10% for most banks, significantly lower than the promo rate. Always check the renewal terms before opening an eFD. If you don't want auto-renewal at a lower rate, set a calendar reminder to manually redirect the funds at maturity.
Is the CIMB TIA-i the same as the CIMB eFD-i?
No — and this matters. The CIMB Term Investment Account-i (TIA-i) is an investment product tied to underlying asset performance. It is NOT a deposit, and NOT protected by PIDM. The eFD-i is a genuine fixed deposit and is PIDM covered. The TIA-i sometimes offers higher headline rates (e.g. 3.70% vs 3.60%) but comes with investment risk and no deposit insurance.
Do I need an existing account with the bank to open an eFD?
Usually yes — you need a current or savings account with the bank to fund the placement through internet banking. For FPX-based eFDs (like Public Bank's FPX campaign), you can transfer from any Malaysian bank account, making it accessible even without an existing relationship with that bank. AmBank's eFD also accepts non-customers via the AmOnline app download.
Last updated: May 9, 2026. Rates verified from official bank campaign pages (AmBank.com.my, CIMB.com.my) and rates.my live data. Hari Raya 2026 promos closed April 30. Current promo windows: AmBank to May 31, CIMB to May 28, Public Bank to June 30. Confirm at official bank sites before placing.