Free tool
FD Ladder Planner
A deposit ladder splits one sum across several fixed deposits that mature at different times, so part of your money becomes available at regular intervals while the rest earns longer-term rates. Pick a total and a ladder shape: each rung is priced at the best published rate for its tenure, and you see the blended yield, the interest after tax and a timeline of when every part comes back.
Build your ladder
Or pick the rungs yourself:
Ladder yield
12.00% p.a.
net, amount-weighted
All in best 12M FD
12.15% p.a.
Richard Pieris Finance
Interest over the ladder
LKR 147,750
after LKR 16,417 AIT
First money back
Apr 2027
LKR 350,583 in 6 months
This ladder yields 0.15 points less a year than putting everything in the best 12-month deposit, and releases part of your money at each rung instead of all at once. If you reinvest each maturing rung at the longest tenure, the whole ladder works towards 13.50% p.a. at today's rates.
When your money comes back
- LKR 333,333 for 6 months · 11.50% at Richard Pieris FinanceApr 2027 → LKR 350,583
- LKR 333,333 for 12 months · 13.50% at Richard Pieris FinanceOct 2027 → LKR 373,833
- LKR 333,334 for 24 months · 15.00% at Softlogic FinanceOct 2028 → LKR 423,334
6-month rung
Richard Pieris Finance
Fixed Deposits and Savings
- Deposit
- LKR 333,333
- Rate
- 11.50%
- Interest (net)
- LKR 17,250
- Matures
- Apr 2027
12-month rung
Richard Pieris Finance
Fixed Deposits and Savings
- Deposit
- LKR 333,333
- Rate
- 13.50%
- Interest (net)
- LKR 40,500
- Matures
- Oct 2027
24-month rung
Softlogic Finance
Fixed Deposits
- Deposit
- LKR 333,334
- Rate
- 15.00%
- Interest (net)
- LKR 90,000
- Matures
- Oct 2028
Each rung uses the highest published rate we track for that tenure, simple interest paid at maturity, less 10% Advance Income Tax. Spreading rungs across different institutions also spreads risk — you can pick a different institution for any rung on the FD rates page. Estimates only; confirm the rate with the institution before you deposit.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fixed deposit ladder?
Instead of placing everything in one FD, you split it across several tenures — say 6, 12 and 24 months. Each time a rung matures you can use the money or reinvest it at the longest tenure, so you always have a deposit coming free soon while most of the money earns longer-term rates.
Does a ladder earn more than a single fixed deposit?
It depends on the rate curve. When longer tenures pay more, a ladder that includes them usually beats a single short deposit, and once every rung has been rolled into the longest tenure the whole ladder earns close to the long-term rate. If short rates are higher than long ones, a ladder can earn slightly less in exchange for regular access to your money.
Why use a ladder instead of one long deposit?
Liquidity and rate risk. Breaking a fixed deposit early usually costs interest; a ladder gives you regular maturities so you rarely need to. It also means you are never locked into a single rate — if rates rise, the next maturing rung can be reinvested at the higher rate.
Should every rung be at the same bank?
Not necessarily. The planner prices each rung at the best rate for that tenure, which may be at different institutions. Spreading deposits across institutions also spreads risk; check that each one is licensed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and compare its credit rating before you deposit.
Is tax deducted from each rung?
Yes. 10% Advance Income Tax is withheld from the interest of each deposit when it is paid. Untick 'After 10% AIT' to see gross figures if you have submitted a self-declaration.
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