Fixed income investment
Fixed income covers three ways to put your money to work — term deposits, bonds and wholesale funds. They are presented below in order of risk and potential return, from lower to higher, so you can compare them side by side before deciding what fits your situation.
Term Deposits
A known interest rate for an agreed period, with your capital returned at maturity.
Moderate riskBonds
Regular income from lending to an issuer, with capital returned at maturity.
Higher riskWholesale Fund
Pooled investment across assets such as property, infrastructure and private credit.
Term Deposits
Lower risk · Lower potential returnTerm deposits can provide a known interest rate for an agreed period. Lifelong Wealth can help you review available terms and understand how the return, access conditions and provider fit your needs.
The term
How long your money is committed for — and choosing a term that matches when you might need it back.
Interest rate
The rate offered for the term, and what it means in dollars over the life of the deposit — not just the headline number.
Payment frequency
Whether interest is paid monthly, quarterly, at maturity, or compounded — and how that affects your total return.
Minimum deposit
The smallest amount the bank or institution will accept — and whether splitting across terms makes sense for you.
Maturity instructions
What happens when the term ends — roll over, reinvest or pay out — and making sure the default is what you actually want.
Early access
Whether you can withdraw before maturity, what notice is required, and any interest reduction that applies if you do.
Bonds
Moderate risk · Moderate potential returnBonds can provide regular income and may form part of a diversified investment approach. Lifelong Wealth can help you understand available opportunities, expected timeframes and the risks behind the return.
The issuer
Who is borrowing your money, and what stands behind the promise to pay — the issuer’s strength is the foundation of a bond’s risk.
Interest payments
How much income the bond pays, how often it is paid, and whether the rate is fixed, floating or reset over the life of the bond.
Maturity date
When your capital is scheduled to be returned, and what happens at maturity if you do not give further instructions.
Minimum investment
The smallest amount you can invest in a particular bond, and how that fits with the size of your overall portfolio.
Liquidity
How easily a bond can be sold before maturity, what that might cost you, and whether a ready market exists for it.
Key risks
Issuer credit, interest rate movements, early sale and liquidity — the four risks we always name before you commit.
Wholesale Fund
Higher risk · Higher potential returnWholesale funds are pooled investment funds that invest in assets such as commercial property, infrastructure, private credit and agricultural land. They sit above term deposits and bonds on the risk and return scale, and are generally designed for wholesale or experienced investors.
The fund’s strategy
What the fund invests in and how it intends to generate returns — income, capital growth, or a combination of both.
Underlying assets
Commercial property, infrastructure, private credit and other asset classes — and what actually drives their value over time.
Fees and minimums
Management fees, entry and exit costs, and the minimum investment — wholesale funds typically require larger amounts than retail options.
Liquidity and redemptions
Redemption windows, notice periods and what happens if you need your money sooner than the next available window.
Valuations
How often the fund is valued, and how the valuation affects the price you pay when you invest or redeem.
Key risks
Capital is not guaranteed, returns can vary, liquidity is limited and values can fall — including the risk of losing more than you gain.
Not sure which fixed income option fits?
Term deposits, bonds and wholesale funds each balance return, access and risk differently. Tell us what you are trying to achieve and we will walk through the options with you.