Barclays Bank vs Indian Overseas Bank: Children’s Savings Accounts

Barclays Bank does not offer a dedicated children’s savings account, even though it is likely that the standard savings accounts can be opened for children jointly with a parent or guardian. Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) offers the SB – Little Star account for young children.

Children’s Savings Accounts from Barclays Bank

Barclays Bank does not focus on the retail segment and as such does not offer any specific children’s savings or any other account. The only option for someone who wishes to open a children’s account may be through the savings account. The bank offers 2 types of savings accounts, the Barclays Savings Account and the Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account.

Barclays Savings Account

The account needs an average quarterly balance of Rs. 1 lakh.

Features

  • Customer get Classic Debit Card and a chequebook
  • The customer can use the debit card for any number of transactions in all VISA ATMs of all banks
  • The bank offers free demand drafts that are payable at its branches in the country
  • Customer also have a free SMS facility and online banking facilities with their Barclays Savings Account

Children’s Savings Accounts from Indian Overseas Bank

SB – Little Star Account

The account has been designed for all children – from 1 day old babies to up to 18 year old young adults.

Features

  • The account can be opened by any child aged 1 day to less than 18 years
  • The minimum balance needed in the account is Rs. 100, while the maximum amount that can be kept is Rs. 50,000
  • IOB offers free collection facility for cheques or draft instruments gifted to the child and valued up to Rs. 25,000 per annum
  • It also offers a Sweep-In, Sweep-Out facility where any amount in the account in excess of Rs. 10,000 is taken out of the account and turned into fixed deposits of Rs. 2,000 each. If the balance falls below Rs. 10,000 then the most recent fixed deposits are put back in the SB – Little Star Account so the balance is back to being at least Rs. 10,000
  • Parents also have the option to invest in other options such as recurring deposits, insurance, mutual funds and so on

Reference Facts

  • Barclays Bank Website: www.barclays.in
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Call Centre Number: +91 22 6000 1550 (Corporate Banking), +91 22 6000 7888 (Debit Card Lost/Stolen/Damaged)
  • Indian Overseas Bank Website: www.iob.in and www.iobnet.co.in (net banking)
  • Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  • Call Centre Number: 1800 425 4445