Citibank vs ESAF Small Finance Bank: Children’s Savings Accounts

Citibank offers a single dedicated children’s savings account called Citibank Junior Account. However, ESAF Small Finance Bank does not offer a dedicated children’s account, even though it has special accounts for students as well as senior citizens and women.

Children’s Savings Accounts from Citibank

Citibank offers the Citibank Junior Account as a children’s savings account.

Citibank Junior Account

The account is available for all children below the age of 18 years.

Features

  • Need at least two accountholders of whom the first is the minor and the second the parent or guardian
  • Comes with Systematic Investment Plans that helps the parent plan the child’s future
  • Children above the age of 15 years also get a debit card
  • The Citibank Junior Account comes with two insurance plan options – BSLI Classic Child Plan and Dream Child Plan – that allow the parent to plan for the child’s education. The bank offers 10 different investment funds under the Classic Child Plan
  • Accountholders can open their children’s Investment Services Accounts with the bank. They get online access to the investments and also get comprehensive reports on financial markets

Children’s Savings Accounts from ESAF Small Finance Bank

ESAF Small Finance Bank does not offer a dedicated children’s account, though it has special accounts for students, senior citizens and women. Its regular and premium accounts are likely available for minors also under the guidance of parents or guardians.

Regular Savings Account

The account is the standard savings account of the bank and comes with its set of benefits and restrictions. The minimum age of the accountholder has to be 18 years but it is very likely that this account will be also available to minors.

Features

  • The account can be opened with a minimum payment of Rs. 1,000, though the minimum average quarterly balance has to be Rs. 2,000
  • The bank limits the amount of cash one can withdraw or deposit at non-base branches (i.e. a non-home branch) to Rs. 50,000
  • The ATM withdrawal limit is pegged at Rs. 30,000 per day and POS transactions are limited to Rs. 2,000 at Tier II to Tier IV locations and Rs. 1,000 in Tier I to II locations
  • Accountholders of the Regular Savings Account can ask for and receive a chequebook of 10 leaves every 6 months
  • The customer can access the account through all modes such as online, mobile and phone banking

Premium Savings Account

The premium savings account from ESAF also warrants a minimum age limit of 18 years to become an accountholder.

Features

  • The account needs a minimum initial payment of Rs. 5,000 and the minimum average quarterly balance is Rs. 10,000
  • Unlike the standard account, there are no limits on withdrawals or deposits at non-base (i.e. non-home) branches
  • The ATM withdrawal limit is Rs. 50,000 per day for all ATMs – the bank’s own and other bank ATMs. POS limit stays the same as the standard account at Rs. 2,000 for Tier II to Tier IV locations and Rs. 1,000 for Tier I to II locations
  • Premium Savings Account holders can request and receive a chequebook of 50 leaves every 6 months
  • The account has an auto-sweep facility for fixed deposits
  • Access to the account is available through online, mobile and phone banking channels as with standard accounts

Reference Facts

  • Citibank Website: www.online.citibank.co.in
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Call Centre Number: 1860 210 2484, +91 22 4955 2484 (from outside India)
  • ESAF Small Finance Bank Website: www.esafbank.com
  • Headquarters: Thrissur, Kerala
  • Call Centre Number: 1800 103 3723