Citibank vs Kotak Mahindra Bank: Children’s Savings Accounts

Citibank offers a single dedicated children’s savings account called Citibank Junior Account. Likewise, Kotak Mahindra Bank offers a dedicated account called Junior – The Savings Account for Kids.

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 Kotak Mahindra Bank

Kotak Mahindra Bank offers a children-focussed account called Junior – The Savings Account for Kids. Here is a look at some features of the account.

Junior – The Savings Account for Kids

The account comes in two variants, the standalone account and a bundle pack that includes the Junior Savings Account and a Guardian Savings Account.

Features

  • The account offers one of the higher interest rates for children’s accounts at 5% (as of November 2018)
  • Bundled plan accountholders get access to a Recurring Deposit (RD) or a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). The RD starts from as little as Rs. 2,000 and tenures that start from 36 months, while in the case of SIP the guardian can choose the amount and tenure
  • The standalone Junior Account comes in different variants such as Platina, Ace, Pro, Classic, Edge and Nova. The distinction between these is the minimum balance required in the account and the customer segment to which the account is offered. For instance, the Platina account is a continuation of a portfolio of plans that Kotak Mahindra Bank acquired from its purchase of ING Vysya, while the Classic account is targeted at semi-urban and rural areas, and so on
  • There is no minimum balance requirement for bundled Nova accounts provided they have an RD or a SIP in place. Otherwise, an average monthly balance of Rs. 5,000 is needed for Junior accounts. For non-junior accounts, the average monthly balance required is Rs. 5,000 (Nova), Rs. 10,000 (Edge and Classic), Rs. 50,000 (Ace) and Rs. 1 lakh (Platina)
  • The charges for non-maintenance of the average balance ranges from Rs. 150 to Rs. 600 per month depending on the balance and the type of account.
  • The Junior Savings Account offers personalised debit cards with daily withdrawal limits of Rs. 5,000 for kids above 10 years of age
  • The bank offers certain children-centric privileges such as Junior Foodie, Junior Day Out, Junior Shopper, Junior Learner and Junior Angel

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)
  • Kotak Mahindra Bank Website: www.kotak.com
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Call Centre Number: 1860-266-2666, 1860-266-0811 (for 811 Digital Bank Customers)