Federal Bank vs Punjab National Bank: Children’s Savings Accounts

Federal Bank vs Punjab National Bank: Children’s Savings Accounts

Federal Bank offers two savings accounts called Young Champ and YuvaMitra for children and young adults. Punjab National Bank offers dedicated accounts for kids such as PNB Junior SF Account and the PNB Vidyarthi SF Account.

Children’s Savings Accounts from Federal Bank

Federal Bank offers two savings accounts called Young Champ and YuvaMitra for children. Details of whether its standard savings accounts can be opened for children are not available on the website.

Young Champ

The account is for all children up to the age of 18 years whether resident in India or abroad.

Features

  • The account needs an average monthly balance of Rs. 1,000
  • Children below 10 years can only open the account if the parent or guardian acts as the authorised signatory while kids above that age can open the account in their own name and operate it independently
  • The child also gets a specially designed debit card with a daily ATM or POS transaction limit of Rs. 2,500 with the Young Champ account
  • Charges on demand drafts for educational purposes are waived off up to a sum of Rs. 50,000
  • The bank offers reward points if the account holder or her parent or guardian opens a recurring deposit
  • Internet banking comes with a view-only facility
  • The accountholder also gets free email and mobile alerts and free standing instructions to debit account of parent and transfer the same to that of the child
  • The account cannot be opened online and the child, parent or guardian has to visit the branch

YuvaMitra

The account can be opened by any kid after they have passed class 10 and up to the time they have attained their professional degree or diploma.

Features

  • There is no minimum balance requirement for the account
  • The young adult gets a chequebook of 20 leaves a year and a debit card
  • The daily cash withdrawal and POS limits are both Rs. 50,000 for the YuvaMitra account
  • Accountholders get free internet banking, mobile banking and email alerts

Children’s Savings Accounts from Punjab National Bank

PNB is the second largest bank in India after SBI and offers specific accounts for children such as the PNB Junior SF Account and the PNB Vidyarthi SF Account.

PNB Junior SF Account

The account can be opened by a child through her parent or guardian or she can open and operate it herself if she has crossed 10 years of age.

Features

  • As mentioned, any child of any age can open the PNB Junior SF Account through her parent or guardian. Children over 10 years of age can open and operate the account under their own name
  • There is no minimum deposit needed to open the account. Plus, there is no need for any minimum balance either
  • The child can get a free cheque book of 20 leaves per six months, i.e. two chequebooks of 40 leaves per year
  • Demand drafts made out to pay school or college fees are free of cost
  • The bank, however, has put a limit of Rs. 5,000 on debit card use per day, be that through ATM withdrawals, POS transactions at shops (card swipe in case you are wondering) or online payments
  • Kids or their parents can have a view of the account balance and transactions through both online and mobiles but transactions are not allowed

PNB Vidyarthi SF Account

The account as the name suggests is for children studying in recognised educational institutions.

Features

  • The account is available for children up to 21 years of age. Once they reach adulthood, the account becomes a standard savings account with all its perks and limitations
  • Like the PNB Junior SF Account, there are no minimum balance requirements for initial deposit and average quarterly balance in the PNB Vidyarthi SF Account
  • All demand drafts made out for any type of fees are free of cost
  • Like the children’s account, the child is eligible to receive two chequebooks of 20 leaves each per year
  • Most fees and charges in the account have been waived off by the bank through there is an annual maintenance charge for the debit card

Reference Facts

  • Federal Bank Website: www.federalbank.co.in
  • Headquarters: Aluva (Kochi), Kerala
  • Call Centre Number: 1800 425 1199
  • Punjab National Bank Website: www.pnbindia.in and www.netpnb.com (net banking)
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
  • Call Centre Number: 1800 180 2222, 1800 103 2222