Bank of India vs Fincare Small Finance Bank: Children’s Savings Accounts

Bank of India vs Fincare Small Finance Bank: Children’s Savings Accounts

Bank of India has a youth-oriented account called BOI Star Yuva Account while Fincare Small Finance Bank does not offer a dedicated children’s account though it is likely to offer its Smart Saver or Priority Accounts to minors as a joint account with a parent or guardian.

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 Fincare Small Finance Bank Limited

Fincare Small Finance Bank does not offer a dedicated children’s account but it is likely that it allows guardians to open a minor account under its Smart Saver or Priority Accounts.

Smart Saver Account

This is the standard savings account of the bank.

Features

  • Needs an average monthly balance of Rs. 1,000
  • Fincare Bank offers a Rupay Silver debit card to account holders
  • The card entitles the shareholder to a personal insurance cover of Rs. 1 lakh
  • Smart Saver accountholders also get access to 5 free transactions at non-metro ATMs and 3 complimentary transactions in metros

Priority Account

The priority account is a step above the Smart Saver Account.

Features

  • The account needs an average monthly balance of Rs. 10,000 or at least Rs. 1 lakh in fixed deposit
  • There are no mentions in the website of whether the Priority account can be opened by a minor or on behalf of a minor but considering the standard procedure in other banks, it is likely that any minor account that has a minimum balance of Rs. 10,000 as balance would qualify as a Priority Savings Account

Reference Facts

  • Bank of India Website: www.bankofindia.co.in
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Call Centre Toll-Free Number: 1800 220 229, 1800 103 1906
  • Fincare Small Finance Bank Website: www.fincarebank.com
  • Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka
  • Call Centre Number: 1800 3010 0111