SBI Sweep-Out FD - Meaning, Benefits, and How It Works

What is a Sweep-Out FD?

Sweep-out in Fixed Deposit (FD) is a banking feature where extra money in a savings or current account is moved to an FD automatically. This happens when the balance crosses a set limit. The goal is to earn higher interest on idle funds. If money is needed, the FD is broken into parts through a sweep-in. This ensures better returns while keeping funds accessible.

Example

Suppose you set ₹25,000 as your sweep-out limit. If your savings account balance reaches ₹35,000, the extra ₹10,000 is moved to an FD automatically. This way, your idle money earns better returns. If needed, the FD can be broken into parts (sweep-in) to ensure liquidity without breaking the full deposit.

How Does SBI Sweep-Out FD Work?

Let’s look at an example to understand this better.

1. Threshold balance

   ₹35,000

2. Minimum balance

   ₹25,000

3. Sweep amount

   ₹10,000 (in multiples of ₹1,000)

If you have ₹45,000 in your savings account:

• ₹35,000 stays in the account.

• ₹10,000 is swept into an FD to earn higher interest.

Now, if you spend money and your balance falls to ₹20,000:

• ₹5,000 is swept out from the FD and added to your account automatically to maintain the ₹25,000 minimum balance.

This process happens without your intervention. The bank takes care of it.

Features of SBI Sweep-Out FD

Here are the main features of SBI’s Sweep-Out FD:

1. Auto transfer:

   Whatever the account balance may be, money moves automatically in and out of the account.

2. Partial withdrawals allowed:

   You have the liberty of withdrawing just the amount you need from the FD, but in multiples of ₹1,000.

3. Higher interest rates:

   Since money is swept into the FDS, it earns FD interest, which is higher than that on the savings accounts.

Benefits of SBI Sweep-Out FD

1. Higher Interest Withdrawals

   Your savings account will only give you interest of about 2.7%. But, with a sweep-out FD, the extra money will attract an FD interest rate of anywhere between 5.5% and 7%, depending on the applicable SBI FD interest rates and FD term. So, it helps the funds to grow quicker

2. Automatic and stress-free

   You should not worry about opening a new FD as and when you receive extra income anymore. The whole process is automatic in nature. The system deposits and breaks deposits whenever the need arises.

3. Withdrawing money anytime you want

   If you need money suddenly, you don’t have to break your FD or wait. The sweep-out feature ensures your account balance stays healthy by pulling only the amount required from your FD.

4. Flexible settings

   You may specify how much balance to keep in your account and how much should be swept in. So you can easily customise it to your needs.

SBI Sweep-Out FD Interest Rates (As of May 2025)

Here are the Fixed Deposit interest rates you can earn under the MOD (Multi-Option Deposit) scheme:

Note: These are indicative rates. Please check SBI’s website for the latest updates.

How to Open an SBI Sweep-Out FD?

You can activate the sweep-out feature through either of the two methods:

1. Online Method (via Net Banking)

   • Log in to your SBI Internet Banking account.

   • Click on the ‘ e-Fixed Deposit’ tab.

   • Select the ‘MOD (Multi Option Deposit)’ option.

   • Choose your savings account and enter:

     • Amount

     • Tenure

     • Threshold limit

   • Review the details and submit.

2. Offline Method (at the Branch)

   • Visit your nearest SBI branch.

   • Ask for the MOD facility activation form.

   • Fill in the details:

     • Savings account number

     • Threshold and minimum balance

     • Sweep amount (in ₹1,000 multiples)

   • Submit the form with ID proof.

   • Bank staff will activate the feature for you.

Things to Keep in Mind

• The minimum amount for the first sweep into FD is usually ₹10,000.

• Sweep-outs happen in multiples of ₹1,000 only.

• You may have to maintain a certain minimum balance in your savings account.

• Interest earned is taxable as per your income tax slab.

Conclusion

SBI’s Sweep-Out FD is a smart way to earn more from the extra money in your savings account. It gives you the benefit of higher FD interest and still keeps your money available when needed. The process is automatic, so you don’t have to do anything once it’s set up. If you often keep a high balance in your account, this is a great option to grow your money without locking it away.