Banks are also called custodians of public money. Basically, the money is accepted as deposit for safe keeping. But since the Banks use this money to earn interest from people who need money, Banks share a part of this interest with the depositors. The quantum of interest depends upon the tenor - length of time for which the depositor wishes to keep the money with the Bank - and the ease of withdrawal. The thumb rule is, longer the tenor, higher the rate of interest and lesser the restrictions on withdrawal, lesser the interest. Exceptions, however, exist. Deposits are accepted from both resident (domestic) or non-resident Indian customers.