Yes, HLB interest is actually 2.666% of the principal as you figured 8 /12 x 4 %. It is up to the FD investor whether any luck to make another 4 months worth at 4% or end up with a higher or lower rate. I assume this is one of the reasons for the poor pickup of the offer as some FD investors are conservative and prefer a bird in the hand to take a 12 month at 4% instead. It is only those who are loyal HL customer, have a gambling nature, or have some kind of info that reasoned chances of the FD rate will rise after 8 months is better than going down; - that will take the HL offer.
As for those who are hoping for that 4.18% chance, it is pretty obvious that the above thinking never crossed their minds, or the hesitation from the undecided on the EPF rate. One can figure out the thinking of FD customers easily. The pick-up rates are just a nice confirmation that this is truly a year of the chicken hearted (joking only).
From 3 February to 31 March 2017, the Ambank TD-i promos complete with monthly payment of interests are:-
3.68% for 8 months minimum 10k.
4.08% for 8 months minimum 50k.
Nobody said anything about 4% for 12 months when I was at Ambank today 20 February 2017.
There are also the usual bundled offers with fantastic figures.
Because it's 8 months @4% interest the effective rate is 2.666??? If malaysian standard of mathematics is at this level, we are doomed to be 3rd world country for a long long time