Why 52% of FD Investors Are Exploring Alternative Investments
A 2026 survey found that 52% of investors had shifted part of their fixed deposit corpus into alternative investments, highlighting a growing focus on diversification and returns.
A growing number of Indian investors are looking beyond fixed deposits as they seek higher returns and greater diversification. A 2026 online survey by alternative investment platform Per Annum, involving 10,000 investors with current or past exposure to FDs and the stock market, found that 52% had shifted part of their FD corpus into alternative investments.
The search for better post-tax returns and ways to diversify portfolios emerged as key reasons behind the shift. Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending is among the alternatives being explored. Under this model, investors lend money to borrowers through platforms and earn interest, but unlike fixed deposits, returns and repayment are not guaranteed.
The survey suggests investors are not abandoning FDs altogether. Around 35% of respondents said they viewed P2P lending as an additional allocation alongside their existing FDs, while 13% continued to keep most of their money in fixed deposits because of their perceived safety and predictable nature.
Interest in alternative investments is also spreading beyond major metros. About 62% of survey respondents came from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, compared with 38% from Tier 1 cities.
Investors aged 35 to 50 formed the largest group, accounting for 35% of respondents. Senior management professionals represented 40%, while business owners made up nearly 30%.
The findings point towards diversification rather than an FD exit. Basically, investors aren't breaking up with FDs—they're just seeing other options.
