Barclays Bank vs Lakshmi Vilas 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. Lakshmi Vilas Bank offers children below 12 years of age its general savings account, Savings Bank 301, jointly with a parent or guardian. For kids above 12 years, it offers its Savings Youth Power account.

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 Lakshmi Vilas Bank

Lakshmi Vilas Bank does not have an account dedicated to children below 12 years of age. It offers minors below that age its general savings account called Savings Bank 301 through a guardian. It does have an account for kids who have crossed 12 years of age called Savings Youth Power.

Savings Youth Power

This account is designed for kids in the 12-24 years age group.

Features

  • The account comes with a minimum balance of Rs. 100
  • There are no cash withdrawals at the home branch but at the same time, these withdrawals are not allowed at the non-home branches
  • Cash remittances are free at the home branch for all amounts but not for amounts over Rs. 5,000 at non-home branch
  • Demand draft or postal order charges are waived off for educational payments but are charged at standard rates for DDs made for other reasons
  • The bank does not provide any chequebook for kids up to 17 years of age. The same age criteria exist for internet banking also. Mobile banking is free
  • The Savings Youth Power Account, however, does offer an international debit card powered by Visa with a daily withdrawal limit of Rs. 5,000 per day. The card is free for the first year and a fee of Rs. 100 is charged from the second year

Savings Bank 301

The primary savings account of the bank. The standard features of the account are listed below and are likely to be different for minor accounts. (We suggest readers interested in opening this account for their child to discuss the specifics with the bank.)

Features

  • It allows guardians to open accounts for minors below 12 years while kids above 12 years can open and operate the account under their own name
  • The minimum deposit is Rs. 1,000 for rural, Rs. 3,000 for semi-urban and Rs. 5,000 for urban branches
  • The Savings Bank 301 Account does not have any restrictions on deposit or withdrawals

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)
  • Lakshmi Vilas Bank Website: www.lvbank.com
  • Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  • Call Centre Number: 1800 425 2233