IDBI Bank vs Central Bank of India: Children’s Savings Accounts

IDBI Bank offers two accounts called Power Kidz Account and Being Me while Central Bank of India has the Cent Balbhavishya deposit account for kids. This is a deposit account and the bank offers its standard savings account to children for regular transactions. In addition, Central Bank offers recurring and fixed deposits for children.

Children’s Savings Accounts from IDBI Bank Limited

IDBI Bank offers the Power Kidz Account for children. It also has a savings account targeted at the youth called the IDBI Being Me Account.

Power Kidz Account

From a reading of the website, it seems the account is not meant for kids below 10 years of age.

Features

  • Can be opened by a minor in her own name if she is over 10 years of age, or by the parent or guardian in case she is below that age
  • The minimum average balance in the account is Rs. 500 but there are no charges if the minimum balance criterion is not met
  • Kids above 10 years who have opened the Power Kidz Account in their own name will get an exclusively designed debit card with their name
  • The bank gives a personalised chequebook to the child
  • The ATM withdrawal or POS transaction limit is Rs. 2,000
  • The bank offers up to 5 free transactions at non-IDBI Bank ATMs in non-metro locations

Being Me Account

A savings account designed to help the youth cultivate financial common sense.

Features

  • There are no details on the site on minimum or maximum age to open and operate the account
  • A minimum amount of Rs. 2,500 is needed to open the account
  • The daily limit for ATM transactions and merchant (POS) purchases is Rs. 25,000 for the Being Me Account
  • The bank offers preferential rates on educational loans and gives preference to account holders to take up educational project work at the bank, provided there are seats available
  • It even gives discounts on opening share trading accounts with IDBI Capital Markets & Securities

Children’s Savings Accounts from Central Bank of India

The bank has a children-only deposit account called Cent Balbhavishya and a standard savings account that can be opened jointly with an adult or in their own name by kids above 12 years of age. It also offers its standard recurring and fixed deposits for children through joint accounts.

Cent Balbhavishya

The deposit account was conceived with the intention of cultivating saving habits among children.

Features

  • Any child up to the age of 12 years can open the account jointly with a parent or a guardian
  • The minimum deposit needed to open the account is Rs. 50 for rural and semi-urban areas and Rs. 100 for urban areas and metros
  • The bank requires at least one deposit in the account every month with total amount in account for each half-year being at least Rs. 500 (rural and semi-urban) or Rs. 1,000 (urban and metros)
  • No withdrawals are permitted until the child reaches the age of 18 years, unless it is to make a fixed deposit
  • Accordingly, cheque books are issued only when the child reaches 18 years
  • Any excess amount in the account above Rs, 10,000 may be put into a fixed deposit for a period of 6 months to 10 years
  • Central Bank of India will pay an additional interest of 0.5% on any fixed deposit for the child that is created from the funds in the Cent Balbhavishya account. The standard rates will apply from the time the child attains the age of majority

Home Saving Safe Accounts

This is the standard savings account of the bank.

Features

  • It can be opened by a minor jointly with an adult if she is below 12 years of age or by the minor herself if she is over 12 years and can read and write and operate the account
  • The minimum amount needed to open the Home Saving Safe Account is Rs. 250 for rural branches, Rs. 500 for semi-urban branches and Rs. 1,000 for urban and metro branches
  • The bank website mentions that a birth certificate from the Gram Panchayat, Notified Area Committee or Municipal Corporation will suffice as ID proof, though it is likely that with the spread of Aadhaar, an Aadhaar card or an Aadhaar enrolment number may be required

Reference Facts

  • IDBI Bank Website: www.idbi.com
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Call Centre Number: 1800 200 1947, 1800 221 070
  • Central Bank of India Website: www.centralbankofindia.co.in and www.centralbank.net.in (net banking)
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Call Centre Toll-Free Number (24 hours): 1800 22 1911