In this article, I’m going to talk about how I identified a problem with the FD calculator in the app and how I worked through it to solve it.
This is a personal project. I was not commissioned by Stable Money to redesign their app.
What is Stable Money?
Stable Money is a platform that helps people invest in fixed-income products like Fixed Deposits (FDs) and Government Bonds. It makes it easy to find safe investment options that offer steady returns with low risk. The platform allows to compare interest rates, choose the best option for them, and manage the investments all in one place.
Why did I choose Stable Money and Why calculator redesign?
I have been using Stable Money for a while now to manage and invest in safe, fixed-income products like FDs. I appreciated how the platform simplified the investment process. The experience of using the platform was generally positive in terms of functionality, but as I spent more time with the app, I noticed some areas that could be improved for clarity and usability.
When I explored the calculator feature, I found that the design didn’t fully align with the intuitive and seamless experience I was expecting. I saw opportunities to make the process of finding interest rates of the invested amount in a more transparent and clear way. This realization prompted me to take on the project of redesigning the FD calculator.
Let’s get started!
Setting up the Context: Identifying Fixed Deposits
So, I decided to invest in a Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit and wanted to know my regular returns at different tenures.
When I first encountered the original FD calculator in the app, I noticed something important was missing:
I was not able to enter my own investment amount. It felt like a restriction, limiting the ability to calculate returns based on my specific needs. I was stuck with a fixed amount, which didn’t give me the flexibility to explore different options.
This lack of a tool to help me understand how my investment would grow over time made it difficult for me to make an informed decision. It became clear to me that the calculator was needed to provide clarity on expected returns.
Now, I could see my returns based on the amount I wanted to invest.
This change not only made the calculator more flexible but also more intuitive, giving a sense of control over financial decisions.
Another issue I spotted was:
The original calculator only showed the amount based on the senior citizen’s interest rate, with no way to explore different options for regular interest rates.
This was confusing for me, as I couldn’t easily see my relevant interest rates.
So, I took two steps to fix this:
- For Senior Citizens (aged 60 and above):
I added a toggle that clearly displays specific interest rates for senior citizens and corresponding maturity amounts. This helps to see exactly how much they benefit from the higher rates without any extra work.
2. For Regular Citizens (under 60):
For regular citizens, the toggle remains off showing the standard rates, keeping the experience streamlined and relevant to the needs.
The original design required to manually check the official website for regular interest rates and then calculate returns, which was time-consuming and inconvenient.
In the redesign, this hassle is completely eliminated.
Now I can input the desired amount directly in the app, and the calculator instantly shows the maturity amounts based on updated rates.
This not only saves time but also simplifies the entire process, ensuring not to rely on external sources for accurate calculations.
Further, as I explored the app, I noticed several design issues that stood out. These weren’t just small problems; they really affected the experienced of the app.
Card Layout
I completely rethought the card layout by shifting from vertical scrolling to horizontal scrolling. This change wasn’t just for the sake of aesthetics
With horizontal scrolling, it gets easier to browse more options in a smoother, more intuitive way, seeing more at a glance without feeling overwhelmed.
I also introduced a View All button that was missing before. This feature gives access to full range of options in one tap, solving the frustration of feeling stuck within the scroll.
It’s a simple, clear path to discovering everything, which ultimately makes the experience more seamless and enjoyable.
Simplified Tool Bar
I decided to replace the Find FD in the Tool Bar with My Investment and shift the FD search feature into the Discover section, where it was already available. This wasn’t just a simple swap there’s a story behind it.
Find the right FD
The old design had a confusing interaction where taping on Find FD took me to a new page, this was an interrupting experience.
By moving Find FD into the Discover section, where I’m already in search mode, the flow became more consistent and intuitive. It felt natural to explore Fixed Deposits while I was already in a discovery mindset.
My Investment
Meanwhile, bringing My Investment into the toolbar made it much easier for me to quickly check my gains. I didn’t have to go through unnecessary steps it was right there, accessible whenever needed.
And… That’s a wrap!
🙌 Thanks for reading!
Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn, and let’s keep the conversation going!
Revamping Stable Money’s fixed deposit calculator for seamless financial planning was originally published in Muzli – Design Inspiration on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.