Power of Compounding Interest

Know about the power of compounding and how it can help in calculating your fixed deposit returns.
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5 mins
10-November-2025

The power of compounding refers to the ability of an investment to generate earnings not only on the original principal amount, but also on the accumulated interest earned over time.

There are multiple investment options where the power of compounding is used and the interest earned is credited on your invested funds. These investment plans typically feature a clear compounding period, such as yearly, monthly, or even daily, allowing you to take advantage of compounding as needed. One of these investments is fixed deposit. Before we learn about how power of compounding impacts fixed deposit, let us know about the power of compounding.

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What is the power of compounding?

The power of compounding works by multiplying your wealth tremendously. To speed up the process of earning profits, it adds the profit made back to the initial sum before reinvesting the complete total.

In essence, the power of compounding is the act of "adding interest on interest," meaning that the amount of money you invest will result in returns from both the initial capital and the collected earnings from earlier compounding periods. So, the force of compounding eventually aids in the gradual growth of your wealth.

For example, if you invest Rs. 1000 and earn a 10% annual return, in the first year you will have Rs. 1100. If you leave the Rs. 100 of interest earned in the account and continue to earn 10% per year, in the second year you will earn Rs. 110 (10% of Rs. 1100) in interest. By the end of the second year, you will have Rs. 1210.

This process continues, with the interest earned in each period also earning interest in the following periods. The longer the investment is left to compound, the greater the potential returns.

Fixed Deposit

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  2. Fixed Deposits worth more than Rs. 50,000 crore booked
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  4. Up to 0.35% p.a. extra interest offered for senior citizens
  5. Flexible interest payout options available - Monthly, Quarterly, Half-yearly, Annually or at Maturity

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How the power of compounding works in investments?

The power of compounding is something that can build generational wealth with just a small initial investment. It is one of the most powerful forces in investing, and it can turn a small investment into a large sum over time. Whether it is a safe investment option like a fixed deposit or the Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), both work on the power of compounding.

Here, the interest is first accrued on the initial deposit amount then eventually as tenure progresses the initial deposit amount increases as the initial deposit is now considered as principal amount plus interest accrued.

The power of compounding is the ability of an asset to generate earnings, which are then reinvested to generate their own earnings. This process can be illustrated with the use of fixed deposit and mutual funds.

Start early and invest smart. Open an FD with Bajaj Finance with just Rs. 15,000 and benefit from flexible tenures ranging from 12 to 60 months. Check rates.

Also read: What is Investment Policy Statement (IPS)

Example of Power of Compounding

Here’s an example of a better understanding of the power of compounding:

If you invested Rs. 1,00,000 and at 10% p.a., you will earn an interest of Rs. 10,000 at the end of the first year. Then in the next year, you’ll end up earning an interest of Rs. 21,000 instead of Rs. 20,000, and so on.

The formula for Compound Interest

There is a simple formula in which you can calculate compound interest that is, sum of the amount of principal and interest – the principal amount at present.

Formula:

P(1 + r/100)n – P


Where, P is the principal amount, n is the number of years, and r is the rate of interest.

Add example of let’s say a person called XYZ invested Rs. 1,00,000 for 5 years at 10% p.a. returns.

  • Scenario 1: The interest earned is withdrawn every year.
    At the end of 5 years XYZ will end up earning an interest of Rs. 50,000.
  • Scenario 2: The interest gets added back to the principal amount every year.
    At the end of 5 years XYZ will end up earning an interest of Rs. 61,051.

This clearly shows the power of compounding.

How does the compounding work in a fixed deposit?

Fixed deposits are safe investment options that offer
profitable returns. With Bajaj Finance you can invest in a fixed deposit with just Rs. 15,000. It offers customers an investment tenure of 12 to 60 months and the interest rate also varies during this tenure.

Check the latest FD rates.

There are two types of fixed deposit:

Cumulative fixed deposit: In this the interest is compounded annually and the principal amount along with the interest is paid at maturity.
So, every year the interest you earn on your deposits, gets added to the principal amount, which then becomes the principal amount for the next year.

Non-cumulative fixed deposit: These plans pay interest on a monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly basis. The interest in this case is paid to the investor on a periodic basis, whereas the principal amount is paid at maturity.

The effect of compounding can be significant over the long-term, particularly for investments with a high rate of return and a long investment horizon. For example, if you invest Rs. 1,00,000 in a fixed deposit with an annual interest rate of 7% for 5 years, the total amount you would receive at maturity would be Rs. 1,40,260. However, if the interest is compounded annually, the total amount you would receive at maturity would be Rs. 1,40,710, which is an additional Rs. 450 due to the power of compounding.
It is important to note that the interest rate, compounding frequency, and investment horizon are all important factors that can impact the power of compounding in fixed deposits. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider these factors when selecting a fixed deposit to ensure that you maximise the benefits of compounding.

Check the latest Bajaj Finance FD rates and choose between cumulative or non-cumulative options based on your goals. Book FD.

Fixed deposit variants

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Fixed Deposit - 60 Months

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Fixed Deposit - Senior Citizen

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Fixed Deposit - Age below 60

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Fixed Deposit - Sole Proprietor

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6.95% p.a.
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What is the Power of Compounding in Mutual Funds?

The power of compounding can work wonders in mutual funds, potentially helping investors achieve their financial goals faster.
In mutual funds, investors can harness the power of compounding through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs). With an SIP, investors can invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, such as monthly, quarterly or semi-annually, which is then invested in the fund of their choice. The returns earned on these investments are then reinvested back into the fund, allowing the investor to take advantage of the compounding effect.
Over time, this compounding effect can lead to significant growth in the value of the investment.

For example, let's say an investor starts an SIP of Rs. 5,000 per month in an equity mutual fund with an assumed average annual return of 12%. After 10 years, the investment would have grown to approximately Rs. 12 lakhs, with the investor having invested a total of Rs. 6 lakhs over the 10-year period. However, if the investor had not reinvested their returns and simply withdrawn them, the investment would have grown to only around Rs. 9 lakhs, representing a significant difference in returns.

Mutual funds provide a great avenue for investors to take advantage of the power of compounding through regular investments using SIPs. By reinvesting returns and staying invested for the long-term, investors can potentially achieve their financial goals faster and generate higher returns over time.

What are the advantages of compound interest?

Compound interest has several advantages, including:

1. The ability to earn interest on both the original principal and the accumulated interest.
2. The potential for significant growth over time.
3. The ability to compound interest on a regular basis, which can accelerate growth.
4. It can be a powerful tool for building wealth and reaching long-term financial goals.
5. It also can be used to grow savings for retirement, education, and other expenses. 

Key rules to maximise the power of compounding

  • Start early: Time is your biggest asset. The sooner you begin, the more you’ll gain.
  • Stay consistent: Regular investments strengthen compounding effects.
  • Think long-term: Short-term withdrawals can break the compounding cycle.
  • Diversify smartly: Spread your investments to reduce risk.
  • Be patient: Compounding rewards those who stay invested.

Ready to grow your savings the smart way?

Open a Bajaj Finance FD online in minutes and start earning guaranteed returns.

Conclusion

The power of compounding proves that you don’t need to be wealthy to build wealth — you just need to start early and stay disciplined. Whether you prefer the stability of a Fixed Deposit or the flexibility of Mutual Funds, compounding helps your money work harder every year.

For investors seeking safety and assured returns, Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit offers one of the most reliable ways to benefit from compounding. With a AAA rating by CRISIL and ICRA, your investment remains secure while steadily growing over time. Check eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often is interest compounded?

Interest can be compounded daily, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, depending on the financial institution or investment product.

What does compounding interest mean?

Compounding interest means earning interest not only on your initial principal but also on the interest that accumulates over time, allowing your investment to grow faster.

How can I open an FD to benefit from compounding?

You can easily open a Bajaj Finance FD online with just Rs. 15,000. Choose a cumulative option to reinvest your earnings and grow your wealth faster.

What is the difference between compounding daily and monthly?

Daily compounding calculates interest every day, while monthly compounding does so once a month. The more frequent the compounding, the faster your money grows.

How does compounding power work?

Compounding power refers to the exponential growth of an investment due to earning interest on both the principal and previously earned interest.

What is the magic of Compounding?

The magic of compounding lies in the potential for wealth to grow significantly over time, thanks to the snowball effect of earning interest on interest.

Can compound interest make you rich?

When given enough time and a reasonable interest rate, with the help of compound interest, you can significantly increase your wealth over the long term.

What do you mean by compounding?

Compounding refers to the process of reinvesting earnings (such as interest or dividends) to generate additional earnings over time.

Who benefits from compound interest?

Anyone who saves or invests their money can benefit from compound interest, whether in a savings account, stock market, or other investment.

How often is interest compounded?

The frequency of interest compounding varies, and it can be daily, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.

What is daily, monthly & yearly compounding?

Daily, monthly, and yearly compounding indicate how often interest is added to your investment, with daily compounding being the most frequent.

How can you get compound interest?

To get compound interest, you need to invest or save your money in an interest-bearing account or investment product that offers compounding benefits.

What investments offer the power of compounding benefits?

All kinds of investments can offer the power of compounding benefits when earnings are reinvested.

How do you use the power of compounding in the stock market?

To use the power of compounding in the stock market, reinvest dividends and capital gains to buy more shares, allowing your investment to grow over time.

How do you calculate compound interest on a stock?

Calculating compound interest on a stock involves considering the growth in stock price and any dividends reinvested.

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Disclaimer

As regards deposit taking activity of Bajaj Finance Ltd (BFL), the viewers may refer to the advertisement in the Indian Express (Mumbai Edition) and Loksatta (Pune Edition) furnished in the application form for soliciting public deposits or refer https://www.bajajfinserv.in/fixed-deposit-archives
The company is having a valid Certificate of Registration dated March 5, 1998 issued by the Reserve Bank of India under section 45 IA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. However, the RBI does not accept any responsibility or guarantee about the present position as to the financial soundness of the company or for the correctness of any of the statements or representations made or opinions expressed by the company and for repayment of deposits/discharge of the liabilities by the company.

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