New Delhi, Oct. 10 -- A sweep-in fixed deposit (FD) is an investment option that helps bank customers earn interest on surplus savings. All the while retaining access to their funds to meet unexpected expenses such as a medical emergency, unforeseen surgery, an accident, or home renovation expenses.

A regular FD, by contrast, permits investors to deposit a lump sum amount for a chosen tenure. Both these investment options can offer better returns than a savings account; still, their liquidity, withdrawal and redemption rules and interest calculations differ.

That is why, before opting to proceed with any of these options, aspiring investors should understand the basic differences between them and compare banks' interest rates, minimum-b...