OCTIS vs idle cash for a Hong Kong company: Airwallex Yield vs time deposits vs money market funds
Rates look close. The real differences are what you own, how fast you can get it back and what protects it.
Last checked · 7 sources
Otty's short answer
Airwallex Yield and Aspire Yield buy money market funds on your behalf. They are not deposits, rates vary, and withdrawals take about two business days. Bank time deposits lock cash for a term and are protected up to HK$800,000 per depositor per bank. On 2 November 2026 the best HKD time deposit rates were 2.50% to 3.40% at banks, above the HKD yields these accounts publish.
Side by side
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| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Airwallex Yield | Aspire Yield | Bank time deposit | HKD money market fund |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HKD rate | Not offered by OCTIS | Up to 2.33%, net | Up to 1.97% Basic; 2.22% Premium | 2.50% (1 month) to 3.40% (12 months), bank promos | 2.28% to 2.81% net yield |
| USD rate | Not offered by OCTIS | Up to 3.92% (Accelerate) | Up to 3.11% Basic; 3.36% Premium | Not covered in sources | 3.83% to 4.11% net yield |
| Rate type | Not applicable | Variable, 7-day average | Variable, 7-day average | Fixed for the term | Variable yield |
| Fees | Not applicable | Included in net rate | 0.5% Basic; 0.25% Premium | None stated | Included in net yield |
| Minimum | Not applicable | None | None | HK$1,000 to HK$1,000,000 | HK$500 (retail platform) |
| Access to cash | Not applicable | Usually within 2 business days | Not published | Locked until term ends | Not stated |
| Is it a deposit? | Not applicable | No | No | Yes | No |
| Deposit protection | Not applicable | No | No | Up to HK$800,000 at banks | No |
| Capital guaranteed | Not applicable | No | No | Yes, if held to term | No |
| Who runs it | OCTIS does not run a yield product | Airwallex Capital HK, SFC BUL570 | AFT HK Treasury, SFC BWA638 | Licensed bank (HKMA) | Fund manager via broker |
| Needs a separate account | Not applicable | No, inside Airwallex | No, inside Aspire | Yes, bank account | Yes, broker or platform |
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you want company, accounts, banking and CRM in one place; OCTIS does not offer a yield product, so idle cash needs one of the other routes.
Airwallex Yield
Choose Airwallex Yield if the cash is already in Airwallex, you may need it within days and you accept a fund-based product.
Aspire Yield
Choose Aspire Yield if you run Aspire and want the same idea inside your spend account, mindful of the fee tier.
Bank time deposit
Choose a bank time deposit if you know when you need the cash and want deposit protection and a fixed rate.
HKD money market fund
Choose a money market fund if you want market-linked yield and can open a brokerage or platform account for the company.
What the table does not show
What Airwallex Yield and Aspire Yield are
Airwallex says Yield places HKD, USD, EUR and GBP balances in money market funds through Airwallex Capital Hong Kong Limited, SFC-licensed for asset management. Aspire says Yield is provided by AFT HK Treasury Limited, SFC-licensed for Type 1 and Type 4 activities. Both state Yield is not a bank deposit, returns are not guaranteed and past performance is no promise. Airwallex quotes rates net of its fees assuming the Accelerate plan; Aspire deducts a 0.5% or 0.25% fee.
Bank time deposits
Syfe's 2 November 2026 table shows HKD 1-month at 2.50%, 3-month at 3.15% from Nanyang Commercial Bank (minimum HK$10,000), 6-month at 3.20% from Bank of East Asia and 12-month at 3.40% at OCBC Wing Hang or Nanyang. Most are promotional, often for new funds through online channels, and the table does not say if company accounts qualify. Syfe's own 3.68% 12-month product is not a bank deposit and is not covered by the scheme.
Money market funds
Endowus lists HKD money market funds with net yields of 2.28% to 2.81% and USD funds at 3.83% to 4.11% as of 30 September 2026. They state funds are not bank deposits, not capital guaranteed and principal can be lost. The page is written for individuals. We could not confirm that a retail platform accepts company accounts, so ask before you plan around it.
Where OCTIS fits
Interest and fund gains from idle cash feed into your accounts and profits tax. OCTIS bookkeeping records Yield income, deposit interest and fund holdings correctly for a Hong Kong company, and we handle profits tax and audit by a Hong Kong CPA practice. OCTIS is not a bank, does not hold your money and has no partnership with any provider here. Ask about 10–30% off your current bill. This page is not investment advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is Airwallex Yield?
Airwallex Yield places balances in money market funds through an SFC-licensed Airwallex entity. It lists HKD up to 2.33% and USD up to 3.92% depending on plan. It is not a deposit, and Airwallex says there is no guarantee of returns.
Is Airwallex Yield safe?
It carries fund and market risk and is not covered by the Deposit Protection Scheme. Airwallex describes it as a low-risk discretionary portfolio service holding AAA-rated money market funds, but states returns are not guaranteed. Treat it as an investment, not a bank deposit.
Can I withdraw from Airwallex Yield any time?
Airwallex states there are no lock-up periods and no minimum, with withdrawals generally settling within two business days. A time deposit, by contrast, is locked until maturity unless you accept a penalty.
Are time deposits better than Yield for a company?
For cash you will not need for a set term, time deposits offer fixed rates and deposit protection. The best published HKD rates on 2 November 2026 were above the HKD Yield rates, but some are promotional and may exclude company accounts. Check with the bank.
Do bank deposits for a company get Deposit Protection Scheme cover?
Eligible deposits at licensed banks are protected up to HK$800,000 per depositor per bank, according to Sleek's summary of the scheme. Check the HKMA scheme rules for your account type, as cover is a limit, not a guarantee of the full balance.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.