Bank of India vs Karur Vysya Bank: Children’s Savings Accounts

Bank of India vs Karur Vysya Bank: Children’s Savings Accounts

Bank of India has a youth-oriented account called BOI Star Yuva Account while Karur Vysya Bank meanwhile offers two dedicated accounts for children called the Jumbo Kids Savings Account and the Student Savings Account.

Children’s Savings Accounts from Bank of India

Bank of India does not have a specific children’s savings account, though it does have an account for the youth called BOI Star Yuva Account. Minors can open a standard savings account.

BOI Star Yuva Account

The account was conceptualised to inculcate saving habits among the youth. The website does not specifically provide a minimum age for account opening but from reading of the features it seems to be young adults aged 18 years or above.

Features

  • The minimum quarterly balance requirement is Rs. 2,500 in rural and semi-urban areas and Rs. 5,000 in urban areas and metros
  • BOI offers a complimentary insurance of Rs. 50,000 for account holders in the 18-21 years age category and of Rs. 5,00,000 (Rs. 5 lakh) for account holders above 21 years
  • The bank also offers reward points for every time the account debit card is used for cash withdrawals in its ATMs. 20 reward points are given at BOI Star Yuva Account opening

Savings Bank Ordinary Account

The account is the standard savings account that can be opened for a minor, usually under joint names.

Features

  • Being a nationalised bank, BOI is able to offer its Savings Bank Ordinary Account with considerable low balance requirements. The initial deposit and average quarterly balance is Rs. 500 if the minor / guardian needs a chequebook and Rs. 100 if the account is operated without a chequebook
  • The bank offers certain benefits to customers of the savings account. For instance, an online income tax filing facility, free payment of utility bills and a BOI-National Swasthya Bima Policy floater mediclaim policy in collaboration with National Insurance at a low premium. A point to note is that kids usually do not need these services

Children’s Savings Accounts from Karur Vysya Bank Limited

Karur Vysya Bank offers two dedicated accounts for children called the Jumbo Kids Savings Account and the Student Savings Account.

Jumbo Kids Savings Account

Unlike most other banks that offer children’s accounts for kids up to the age of 18 years or more, Karur Vysya offers this account for children below the age of 12 years. This by itself is something that makes this account special. Let us look at features too.

Features

  • The account is available for children up to the age of 12 years (we are repeating what we have written above but we like what the bank has done and so there)
  • There is no minimum balance requirement
  • The account is in the name of the child though the authorised signatory is the guardian
  • All cash withdrawals are to be done through the ATM and the bank offers a Visa ATM card for that purpose
  • One can send or use (remittance is the word used on the bank website) up to Rs. 50,000 per day at the branch
  • Children who open a Jumbo Kids Savings Account get a Jumbo (elephant) Doll
  • The account does not come with a chequebook and neither does it have online or mobile banking facilities

Student Savings Account

The second account offered by the bank for children. It is meant for kids who have go to school or college and offers facilities that are meant to help children with school fees and other education-related payments.

Features

  • The account can be opened by kids below 12 years of age through a guardian, while they can open and operate one on their own if they have reached the age of 12 years
  • The maximum age limit up to which one can have the account is 29 years
  • The ATM debit card can be used for cash withdrawals for free at Karur Vysya ATMs and up to 5 times for free at other ATMs of banks that belong to the National Financial Switch. There is an annual maintenance charge of Rs. 75 on the card
  • The chequebook is only offered to students after they have crossed 18 years of age
  • There is no limit on cash remittance at the base branch though it is capped at Rs. 10,000 at non-base branches for the Student Savings Account
  • An important thing to note here is that the total number of debit transactions on the account and any other linked accounts for the same person cannot be more than 90 for every six months

Reference Facts

  • Bank of India Website: www.bankofindia.co.in
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Call Centre Toll-Free Number: 1800 220 229, 1800 103 1906
  • Karur Vysya Bank Website: www.kvb.co.in and www.kvbin.com (net banking)
  • Headquarters: Karur, Tamil Nadu
  • Call Centre Number: 1860 200 1916