Central Bank of India vs UCO Bank: Children’s Savings Accounts

Central Bank of India vs UCO Bank: Children’s Savings Accounts

Central Bank of India has the Cent Balbhavishya deposit account for kids. This is a deposit account and the bank offers its standard savings account to children for regular transactions. In addition, Central Bank offers recurring and fixed deposits for children. UCO Bank offers its UCO Smart Kids Savings Bank Scheme for children above 10 years of age.

Children’s Savings Accounts from Central Bank of India

The bank has a children-only deposit account called Cent Balbhavishya and a standard savings account that can be opened jointly with an adult or in their own name by kids above 12 years of age. It also offers its standard recurring and fixed deposits for children through joint accounts.

Cent Balbhavishya

The deposit account was conceived with the intention of cultivating saving habits among children.

Features

  • Any child up to the age of 12 years can open the account jointly with a parent or a guardian
  • The minimum deposit needed to open the account is Rs. 50 for rural and semi-urban areas and Rs. 100 for urban areas and metros
  • The bank requires at least one deposit in the account every month with total amount in account for each half-year being at least Rs. 500 (rural and semi-urban) or Rs. 1,000 (urban and metros)
  • No withdrawals are permitted until the child reaches the age of 18 years, unless it is to make a fixed deposit
  • Accordingly, cheque books are issued only when the child reaches 18 years
  • Any excess amount in the account above Rs, 10,000 may be put into a fixed deposit for a period of 6 months to 10 years
  • Central Bank of India will pay an additional interest of 0.5% on any fixed deposit for the child that is created from the funds in the Cent Balbhavishya account. The standard rates will apply from the time the child attains the age of majority

Home Saving Safe Accounts

This is the standard savings account of the bank.

Features

  • It can be opened by a minor jointly with an adult if she is below 12 years of age or by the minor herself if she is over 12 years and can read and write and operate the account
  • The minimum amount needed to open the Home Saving Safe Account is Rs. 250 for rural branches, Rs. 500 for semi-urban branches and Rs. 1,000 for urban and metro branches
  • The bank website mentions that a birth certificate from the Gram Panchayat, Notified Area Committee or Municipal Corporation will suffice as ID proof, though it is likely that with the spread of Aadhaar, an Aadhaar card or an Aadhaar enrolment number may be required

Children’s Savings Accounts from UCO Bank

The bank offers the UCO Smart Kids Savings Bank Scheme for children above the age of 10 years.

UCO Smart Kids Savings Bank Scheme

The account allows kids to open and run a savings account without any need for joint ownership with parents or guardians.

Features

  • Any literate child above the age of 10 years can open and operate the account
  • There is no minimum balance requirement
  • The kids get two chequebooks a year
  • The ATM card is personalised with a photograph. Kids also get a good looking passbook
  • Children can withdraw up to Rs. 3,000 per day subject to a limit of Rs. 15,000 per month through ATMs or net banking
  • A key benefit of this UCO Smart Kids Savings Bank Scheme is the ability for children to undertake transactions through net banking after a certain period of time
  • The bank also offers concessions for education loans

Reference Facts

  • Central Bank of India Website: www.centralbankofindia.co.in and www.centralbank.net.in (net banking)
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Call Centre Toll-Free Number (24 hours): 1800 22 1911
  • UCO Bank Website: www.ucobank.com and www.ucoebanking.com (net banking)
  • Headquarters: Kolkata, West Bengal
  • Call Centre Number: 1800 274 0123