The deposit calculator looks simple, yet few people use the real formula properly: monthly vs annual compounding, 10% tax on interest, time-limited promotional rates. The guide below explains what you need to enter for a realistic estimate and how to read the output, plus a direct comparison with the saving alternatives available in 2026.
Figures here were checked on 17 June 2026 against NBR reports and the public offers of the top 5 banks.
Quick answer
Annual compounding formula: F = I × (1+r)^t.
Tax on interest: 10%, withheld automatically by the bank.
FGDB guarantee: 100,000 EUR per person per bank.
Average 1-year deposit gross rate at top 5 banks in June 2026: 5.90-6.30%.
Equivalent net rate: 5.31-5.67%.
Use our calculator for a 2-minute estimate.
The mathematical formula
For a deposit with annual compounding (the most common type at the top 5 banks):
Final amount = Initial amount × (1 + annual rate)^number of years
Example: 47,500 lei deposit for 3 years at 5.80% gross annually. Final amount = 47,500 × (1.058)^3 = 47,500 × 1.1841 = 56,245 lei. Total gross interest: 8,745 lei. After 10% tax (875 lei): net interest 7,870 lei.
For monthly compounding (less common but available at some banks):
Final amount = Initial amount × (1 + monthly rate)^number of months
The same 47,500 lei at 5.80% gross annually with monthly compounding over 3 years: monthly rate 0.00483, (1.00483)^36 = 1.1894, final amount 56,495 lei. The difference versus annual compounding: 250 lei extra over 3 years. Over long horizons (above 10 years) the gap widens.
The 10% tax on interest, what it really means
Every bank withholds 10% tax automatically on the interest earned at each payment date. The remaining amount (90% of the gross interest) lands in your account with nothing for you to declare at ANAF.
For a deposit with a 6.30% gross rate, the net interest calculation goes:
Gross interest on 47,500 lei at 6.30% over 1 year: 2,992 lei. 10% tax: 299 lei. Net interest received: 2,693 lei. As a rate: 5.67% net.
For comparison, government bonds (Tezaur, Fidelis) carry tax-exempt interest under Tax Code art. 93. A 1-year Tezaur with a 7.15% gross coupon = 7.15% net. The difference on 47,500 lei over 1 year: 700 lei extra at Tezaur versus a 6.30% gross deposit.
Steps in our calculator
On /en/calculatoare you find the tool. The process takes 4 steps.
Step 1, initial amount: enter the sum you want to deposit.
Step 2, term: in months or years, until your planned maturity (typically 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 months).
Step 3, gross annual rate: from the bank offer. Watch out: if the offer carries a promotional rate, the calculator has a separate option for the promo period plus the standard period.
Step 4, compounding type: annual (the top 5 bank standard) or monthly (specific offers). For deposits with fixed interest paid at maturity (more common), compounding doesn't really apply.
The result shows the cumulative gross interest, net interest (after 10% tax), the total at maturity, and an automatic comparison with the yield of Tezaur 1/3/5-year bonds on the same amount and term.
Deposit versus alternatives in 2026
For 47,500 lei over 3 years, real scenarios on 17 June 2026:
| Instrument | Gross rate | Tax | Net gain 3 yrs | Liquidity | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCR lei deposit 36 months | 5.80% | 10% | 7,870 lei | Early closure penalty | FGDB 100k EUR |
| Top 5 lei deposit average | 5.90-6.30% | 10% | 8,010-8,560 lei | Early closure penalty | FGDB 100k EUR |
| Tezaur 3-year lei | 7.40% | 0% | 10,545 lei | Early redemption | Sovereign BBB- |
| Fidelis 3-year lei | 7.55% | 0% | 10,770 lei | Sale on BVB | Sovereign plus market risk |
| Interest-bearing current account | 0.1-1% | 10% | 140-1,425 lei | Excellent | FGDB 100k EUR |
On sums below 470,000 lei and horizons of 1-5 years, government bonds clearly beat bank deposits on net yield. The gap, for the same operational risk (state-supervised institutions) and credit risk (FGDB vs sovereign guarantee), is 2,500-3,000 lei over 3 years on 47,500 lei invested.
Case study: Cristina, Timișoara, February 2026
Maria Popescu, former Ziarul Financiar journalist: "A reader, Cristina, 43, entrepreneur running a services firm in Timișoara, used our calculator in February 2026 to choose between a BCR deposit and Tezaur for 95,000 lei saved over 3 years. The calculation: deposit at 5.80% net 5.22% gives 15,760 lei across 3 years; Tezaur at 7.40% net gives 21,080 lei across 3 years. A 5,320 lei gap for the same horizon and effectively similar risk.
"Cristina went with Tezaur for the larger gain plus zero tax on interest, which means less paperwork. She kept 23,750 lei in a BCR deposit for liquid emergency cash (a 3-4 month expenses buffer). The general lesson: for amounts above 23,750 lei and horizons of 1-5 years, the direct calculation shows that a mix of liquid deposit plus government bonds beats a full deposit allocation. The calculator gives clarity in 5 minutes on decisions with a 3-5 year impact."
Common errors in deposit calculations
First common error: calculating on the gross rate without the tax. For realistic budgeting, always run the maths on net (gross rate × 0.9).
Second: extrapolating the promotional rate across the full term. A 3-6 month initial promo is standard in 2026, after which the rate reverts to a baseline 1-2 percentage points lower. A realistic calculation uses the weighted average.
Third: ignoring compounding. For deposits with interest paid at maturity without reinvestment, compounding doesn't apply. For deposits with automatic reinvestment or monthly compounding, it matters over long horizons.
Frequently asked questions
Does your calculator use official formulas? Yes. We use the standard compounding formula approved by NBR for bank reporting.
Can I calculate a foreign-currency deposit? Yes, in EUR or USD. For people with lei income but future EUR expenses (a holiday, children's studies), an EUR deposit gives currency-volatility protection.
Why doesn't your calculator show exactly the bank's number? Possible reasons: different compounding (annual vs monthly), the promotional rate not fully applied, small fees (account opening, administration) that the calculator doesn't include.
Can I calculate a deposit with daily compounding? On the Romanian market, daily-compounded deposits are rare (under 5% of offers). For those available, the formula is similar to monthly compounding; the gap over 3 years at 6% is only 30-50 lei on 47,500 lei.
Does the FGDB guarantee apply automatically? Yes. You don't have to do anything. In a bank failure event, FGDB pays the guaranteed amount (up to 100,000 EUR) into a new account you nominate, within 7-20 business days.
Related
• Deposit calculator
• Government bonds 2026
• Compound interest
• Compare top bank deposits
Maria's note: "The deposit calculator is simple, but the comparison with alternatives is what gives the decision real value. In 2026, for sums below 470,000 lei and horizons of 1-5 years, government bonds consistently beat deposits on net yield with the added tax advantage. The general recommendation: run the calculator for both instruments at the same amount and term, then decide based on the concrete numbers."