Negative interest rates have become more and more common in Europe in recent years. This means that banks are offering interest rates that are below zero, so savers and investors are essentially paying to hold onto money. The European Central Bank has taken this action to stimulate the economy and boost inflation. However, this is impacting consumers and many are looking for ways to protect their money from the penalty interest rates.
One way to get around minus interest rates is to invest the money in physical gold or silver. These precious metals often experience positive performance during times of economic uncertainty and are considered a safe investment during turbulent times. Another option is to invest the money in real estate, which is also considered a relatively safe asset investment. However, there are also modern investment options, such as cryptocurrencies or stocks, which promise a higher return, but are also associated with higher risk.
However, it is important to note that there is no perfect solution to avoid penalty interest rates. Each type of investment has advantages and disadvantages and requires an individual decision based on personal circumstances and risk appetite. While there is no guarantee that your money will be protected from negative interest rates, it can still be worthwhile to research different investment options and weigh the risks to protect your savings.
Another important aspect of this is that by saving, you do not disadvantage yourself. With the help of professional financial advisors and sufficient research, one can make the best possible decision for one’s financial situation, ensuring solid wealth creation over the long term.
This article discusses different ways to protect your savings from negative interest rates and the advantages and disadvantages each option holds. After all, making an informed decision when investing in one’s assets is the first step in keeping money from depreciating in value.
Why banks give minus interest rates
Negative interest rates, also known as minus interest rates, are one of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) controversial measures. The minus interest rates are intended to force banks to lend their money instead of hoarding it. As a result, they should lead to an increase in lending to businesses and individuals to boost the economy.
But since banks also save money, they have to park their deposits somewhere. Since the ECB is also lowering the interest rate at which banks can hedge their money at the central bank, financial institutions sometimes even have to pay penalty interest if they store their money there. As a result, banks pass on the costs to customers and charge them negative interest on their balances.
But what impact do minus interest rates have on customers with savings balances? Negative interest on the bank account means that the customer actually loses money instead of earning it. This is especially frustrating for people who save their money for the long term. A possible solution is to invest the money in other forms of investment, for example in shares or government bonds. However, investors should always keep in mind that these forms are associated with higher risks than a simple bank account. Another option would be to move the money into gold or other commodities, which are less volatile than stocks, or even invest in real estate, which can offer a stable yield. But most importantly, investors need to know their options and protect themselves from unexpected costs and fees.
How to protect your savings from negative interest rates?
One of the most common questions we hear from our clients lately is how to protect their savings from the banks’ punitive interest rates. There are a few ways you can protect your money from negative interest rates.
- Call money and time deposit accounts: One way to avoid being affected by the banks’ policies is to open a call money or fixed-term deposit account. In these accounts, the interest rate is also low, but usually still higher than in a checking account.
- Investing in funds: another option is to invest in stock or bond funds. While these don’t offer a guaranteed return, you can expect a higher rate of return over time.
- Cash or gold: An extreme measure would be to take the money out of the bank and keep it at home. However, this is not recommended due to security risks. An alternative would be to invest in gold.
It is advisable to consider different options and make an individual decision in order to protect the savings balance from minus interest rates.