One of the important functions of the Bank is to accept deposits from the public for the purpose of lending. In fact, depositors are the major stakeholders of the Banking System. The depositors and their interests form the key area of the regulatory framework for banking in India and this has been enshrined in the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The Reserve Bank of India is empowered to issue directives / advices on interest rates on deposits and other aspects regarding conduct of deposit accounts from time to time. With liberalization in the financial system and deregulation of interest rates, banks are now free to formulate deposit products within the broad guidelines issued by RBI.
This policy document on deposits outlines the guiding principles in respect of formulation of various deposit products offered by the Bank and terms and conditions governing the conduct of the account. The document recognises the rights of depositors and aims at dissemination of information with regard to various aspects of acceptance of deposits from the members of the public, conduct and operations of various deposits accounts, payment of interest on various deposit accounts, closure of deposit accounts, method of disposal of deposits of deceased depositors, etc., for the benefit of customers. It is expected that this document will impart greater transparency in dealing with the individual customers and create awareness among customers of their rights. The ultimate objective is that the customer will get services they are rightfully entitled to receive without demand.
While adopting this policy, the bank reiterates its commitments to individual customers outlined in Bankers' Fair Practice Code of Indian Banks' Association. This document is a broad framework under which the rights of common depositors are recognized. Detailed operational instructions on various deposit schemes and related services will be issued from time to time
Types of Deposit Accounts
While various deposit products offered by the Bank are assigned different names. The deposit products can be categorised broadly into the following types.
"Demand deposits" means a deposit received by the Bank which is withdrawable on demand.
"Savings deposits" means a form of demand deposit which is subject to restrictions as to the number of withdrawals as also the amounts of withdrawals permitted by the Bank during any specified period.
" Term Deposit" means a deposit received by the Bank for a fixed period withdrawable only after the expiry of the fixed period and include deposits such as Recurring/Reinvestment Income Certificate/ Encash 24/Short term Deposits/ Fixed Deposits/ Monthly Income Certificate/ Quarterly Income Certificate etc.
"Current Account" means a form of demand deposit wherefrom withdrawals are allowed any number of times depending upon the balance in the account or up to a particular agreed amount and will also include other deposit accounts which are neither Savings Deposit nor Term Deposit.
Account Opening and Operation of Deposit Accounts
The Bank before opening any deposit account will carry out due diligence as required under "Know Your Customer" (KYC) guidelines issued by RBI and or such other norms or procedures adopted by the Bank. In the Bank, the authority to open a Deposit Account is vested in the Branch Head. In very rare case clarifications are required to be sought from the higher authority. However,in such unlikely event when the Branch Head cannot open the account and the matter has to be referred to higher authority, the reasons for such delay would be conveyed to the customer.
The account opening forms and other material would be provided to the prospective depositor by the Bank. The same will contain details of information to be furnished and documents to be produced for verification and or for record, it is expected of the Bank official opening the account, to explain the procedural formalities and provide necessary clarifications sought by the prospective depositor when he approaches for opening a deposit account.
For deposit products like Savings Bank Account and Current Deposit Account, the Bank will normally stipulate certain minimum balances to be maintained as part of terms and conditions governing operation of such accounts. Failure to maintain minimum balance in the account will attract levy of charges as specified by the Bank from time to time. For Saving Bank Account the Bank may also place restrictions on number of transactions, cash withdrawals, etc., for given period. Similarly, the Bank may specify charges for issue of cheques books, additional statement of accounts, duplicate pass book, folio charges, etc. All such details, regarding terms and conditions for operation of the accounts and schedule of charges for various services provided will be communicated to the prospective depositor while opening the account.
Savings Bank Accounts can be opened for eligible person / persons and certain organizations / agencies (as advised by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from time to time)
Current Accounts can be opened by individuals / proprietorship firms/ partnership firms / Private and Public Limited Companies / HUFs / Associations / Societies / Trusts, etc.
Term Deposits Accounts can be opened by individuals / proprietorship firms/ partnership firms / Private and Public Limited Companies / HUFs/ Associations / Societies / Trusts, etc.
The due diligence process, while opening a deposit account will involve satisfying about the identity of the person, verification of address, satisfying about his occupation. Obtaining introduction of the prospective depositor from a person acceptable to the Bank or through self introduction by way of production of certain documentary evidence and obtaining recent photograph of the person/s opening / operating the account are part of due diligence process.
In addition to the due diligence requirements, under KYC norms the Bank is required by law to obtain Permanent Account Number (PAN) or General Index Register (GIR) Number or alternatively declaration in Form No. 60 or 61 as specified under the Income Tax Act / Rules.
Deposit accounts can be opened by an individual in his own name (known as account in single name) or by more than one individual in their own names ( known as Joint Account) . Savings Bank Account can also be opened by a minor jointly with natural guardian or with mother as the guardian ( known as Minor's Account). Minors above the age of 12 will also be allowed to open and operate saving bank account independently.
Operation of Joint Account - The Joint Account opened by more than one individual can be operated by single individual or by more than one individual jointly. The mandate for operating the account can be modified with the consent of all account holders. The Savings Bank Account opened by minor jointly with natural guardian / guardian can be operated by natural guardian only.
The joint account holders can give any of the following mandates for the disposal of balance in the above accounts:
Either or Survivor : If the account is held by two individuals say, A & B, the final balance alongwith interest, if applicable, will be paid to survivor on death of anyone of the account holders.
Anyone or Survivor/s : If the account is held by more than two individuals say, A, B and C, the final balance alongwith interest, if applicable, will be paid to the survivor on death of any two account holders.
The above mandates will be applicable to or become operational only on or after the date of maturity of term deposits. This mandate can be modified by the consent of all the account holders.
A the request of the depositor, the Bank will register mandate / power of attorney given by him authorizing another person to operate the account on his behalf.
The term deposit account holders at the time of placing their deposits can give instructions with regard to closure of deposit account or renewal of deposit for further period on the date of maturity. In absence of such mandate, the Bank will seek instructions from the depositor/s as to the disposal of the deposit by sending an intimation before 15 days of the maturity date of term deposit. In absence of such instruction from the account holder, the deposit after maturity, shall be automatically renewed for a further period equal to the original period of deposit.
Nomination facility is available on all deposit accounts opened by the individuals. Nomination is also available to a sole proprietory concern account. Nomination can be made in favour of one individual only. Nomination so made can be cancelled or changed by the account holder/s any time. While making nomination, cancellation or change thereof is required to be witnessed by a third party. Nomination can be modified by the consent of account holder/s. Nomination can be made in favour of a minor also.
Bank recommends that all depositors avail nomination facility. The nominee, in the event of death of the depositor/s, would receive the balance outstanding in the account as a trustee of legal heirs. The depositor will be informed of the advantages of the nomination facility while opening a deposit account.
A statement of account will be provided by the Bank to Savings Bank as well as Current Deposit Account Holders periodically as per terms and conditions of opening of the account. Alternatively, the Bank may issue a Pass Book to these account holders subject to conditions."
The deposit accounts may be transferred to any other branch of the Bank at the request of the depositor.
Interest Payments
Interest shall be paid on saving account at the rate specified by Reserve Bank of India directive from time to time. However, term deposit interest rates are decided by the Bank within the general guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India from time to time.
In terms of Reserve Bank of India directives, interest shall be calculated at quarterly intervals on term deposits and paid at the rate decided by the Bank depending upon the period of deposits. In case of monthly deposit scheme, the interest shall be calculated for the quarter and paid monthly at discounted value. The interest on term deposits is calculated by the Bank in accordance with the formulae and conventions advised by Indian Banks' Association.
The rate of interest on deposits will be displayed in the branch premises. Changes, if any, with regard to the deposit schemes and other related services shall also be communicated upfront to the deposit account holders.
The Bank has statutory obligation to deduct tax at source if the total interest paid / payable on all term deposits held by a person exceeds the amount specified under the Income Tax Act. The Bank will issue a tax deduction certificate (TDS Certificate) for the amount of tax deducted. The depositor, if entitled to exemption from TDS can submit declaration in the prescribed format at the beginning of every financial year.
Minors' Accounts
The minor can open Savings Bank Account and the same can be operated by the natural guardian or by minor himself / herself, if he/she is above the age of 12 years. The account can also be opened jointly.
On attaining majority, the erstwhile minor should confirm the balance in his/her account and if the account is operated by the natural guardian / guardian, fresh specimen signature of erstwhile minor duly verified by the natural guardian would be obtained and kept on record for all operational purposes.
Insurance Coverage on Deposits
All bank deposits are covered under the insurance scheme offered by Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (DICGC) subject to certain limits and conditions. The details of the insurance cover in force, will be made available to the depositor.
The DICGC insures all deposits such as savings, fixed, current, recurring, etc. deposits except the following types of deposits
Deposits of foreign Governments
Deposits of Central/State Governments
Inter-bank deposits
Deposits of the State Land Development Banks with the State co-operative bank
Any amount due on account of and deposit received outside India
Any amount, which has been specifically exempted by the corporation with the previous approval of Reserve Bank of India
Each depositor in a bank is insured upto a maximum of Rs.1,00,000 (Rupees One Lakh) for both principal and interest amount held by him in the same right and same capacity.
The deposits kept in different branches of a bank are aggregated for the purpose of insurance cover and a maximum amount upto Rupees one lakh is paid. For example, if an individual had an account with a principal amount of Rs.95,000 plus accrued interest of Rs.4,000, the total amount insured by the DICGC would be Rs.99,000. If, however, the principal amount in that account was Rs. One lakh, the accrued interest would not be insured, not because it was interest but because that was the amount over the insurance limit.
