Axis Bank vs Bank of Maharashtra: Children’s Savings Accounts

Axis Bank vs Bank of Maharashtra: Children’s Savings Accounts

Axis Bank offers an account called the Future Stars Savings Account. Bank of Maharashtra has Mahabank – Yuva Yojana for children in the 10-18 years age group. This is a savings cum investment account as a child can open a savings account and invest in recurring deposits and fixed deposits.

Let us look at each of these accounts.

Children’s Savings Accounts from Axis Bank

The third largest private sector bank in India, Axis Bank, offers a specific children’s account called Future Stars Savings Account. It also offered an account targeted at the youth called the YOUth Account but the bank has stopped opening these accounts (existing accounts will continue to work).

Future Stars Savings Account

An account meant for children up to 18 years of age.

Features

  • The initial account opening deposit and minimum monthly balance requirement are both Rs. 2,500 in metros. There is no monthly balance requirement if there is a fixed deposit of Rs. 25,000 for six months or a recurring deposit of Rs. 2,000 for a year
  • Can be opened by a child on her own if she has crossed the age of 10 years. Otherwise, it needs to be operated by the parent or guardian
  • The child gets four cheque books every year in her own name if she is over 10 years of age. In case she is younger than 10 years, the cheque book is in the name of the parent or guardian
  • Accountholders get a Visa Classic Debit Card for an issuance fee of Rs. 200 and annual fee of Rs. 100. The fee is for metro and urban areas only
  • The card comes with a personalised image of the child if she is above 10 years
  • The bank offers a daily withdrawal limit of Rs. 1,500 under the Future Stars Savings Account
  • The first five transactions at an Axis Bank ATM and the first three or five (depending on whether metro or non-metro location) at non-Axis Bank ATMs are free
  • The account comes with a personal accident cover of Rs. 2 lakh and liability from fraudulent transactions of up to Rs. 50,000
  • The bank offers reward points on various transactions such as opening an Axis Direct (trading) account, keeping Rs. 25,000 as minimum monthly balance and so on

Children’s Savings Accounts from Bank of Maharashtra

Mahabank – Yuva Yojana

Bank of Maharashtra offers the Mahabank – Yuva Yojana as a comprehensive solution to take care of the savings needs and expenses of young children.

Features

  • Under this, children can open savings accounts and invest in recurring deposits and fixed deposits
  • The savings account has no minimum balance requirements and can be opened with only Rs. 10
  • Children do not get any chequebook until they are over 18 years, but by then the account becomes a standard savings account with minimum balance requirements and other terms and conditions that apply to the standard account
  • The Mahabank – Yuva Yojana account comes with a free debit card but with specified spending limits
  • Account holders can put in standing instructions to transfer money from their accounts to their recurring deposit. In addition, parents can put in standing instructions to put in money from their account to the child’s account
  • Bank of Maharashtra also sanctions education loans to deserving students at the time to admission if they have held the account for over 6 months

Savings Account

The bank also allows parents and guardians to open a savings account jointly with a minor child.

Features

  • The minimum average balance requirements for the Mahabank – Savings Bank Scheme are calculated on a monthly basis. Service charges are applicable if the balance is less
  • The documents needed to open the account (besides the application, of course) are an ID proof, an address proof, two passport-sized photographs and the PAN card or Form 60/61
  • Interest is calculated on the daily balance on a quarterly basis

Reference Facts

  • Axis Bank Website: www.axisbank.com
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Call Centre Number: 1800 419 5959,1800419 6969
  • Bank of Maharashtra Website: www.bankofmaharashtra.in and https://www.mahaconnect.in/jsp/index.html (net banking)
  • Headquarters: Pune, Maharashtra
  • Call Centre Toll Free Number: 1800 233 4526, 1800 102 2636