IDBI Bank vs Equitas Small Finance Bank: Children’s Savings Accounts

IDBI Bank offers two accounts called Power Kidz Account and Being Me while Equitas Small Finance Bank does not have a children’s savings account but it is likely that its standard savings accounts are available to minors like other banks.

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 Equitas Small Finance Bank Limited

Equitas Small Finance Bank does not have a children’s savings account but it is likely that its standard savings accounts are available to minors like other banks.

My Savings Account

The account has been designed for people to save and earn interest on their money.

Features

  • There is no average quarterly balance requirements for the account
  • The accountholder does not get a cheque book with the account
  • The interest rates on the account are better than that for larger banks with the minimum interest starting at 5.5% for balance up to Rs. 1 lakh
  • The bank however charges a fee for outward remittances on the My Savings Account. NEFT and RTGS are charged on a slab system while IMPS payments are charged a flat fee of Rs. 5 per transaction

Standard Savings Account

The account requires a minimum average quarterly balance or a minimum fixed deposit amount or a minimum level of debit card usage for purchases. Customers can also group the account with family members to tide over these restrictions.

Features

  • The minimum average quarterly balance for the account is Rs. 5,000
  • Customers can choose to keep a fixed deposit of at least a year of Rs. 50,000 instead of the balance in the account
  • The bank also offers the alternative to have the customer spend Rs. 4,999 using the debit card online or at POS transactions instead of the bank balance or a fixed deposit
  • The account can be grouped with family members having a savings account or business having a current account of higher value. The minimum balance requirements can be avoided this way
  • Accountholders get a Platinum or Signature debit card
  • Standard Savings Account holders get a complimentary chequebook of 25 leaves every half year
  • The bank offers 5 free transactions across RTGS, NEFT, IMPS, demand drafts, cash or cheques

Regular Savings Account

The Regular Savings Account from Equitas Small Finance Bank is a step up from the Standard Savings Account

Features

  • The minimum average quarterly balance for this account is Rs. 10,000
  • Like the Standard Account, customers can choose to keep a Rs. 50,000 fixed deposit for at least a year instead of the average quarterly balance in the account
  • The minimum debit card spend limit if one chooses to not keep the minimum balance or have an FD with the bank is Rs. 9,999. The limit considers both online and POS transactions
  • Like the standard savings account, this one also can be grouped with family members or a business to avoid minimum balance requirements. With family members, the other savings account should have a higher value. With a business, the current account should have at least similar value
  • Customers get a Platinum debit card with the account
  • Regular Savings Account holders are given a free 25 leaves chequebook every quarter
  • The bank offers 8 free transactions across RTGS, NEFT, IMPS, demand drafts, cash or cheques

Reference Facts

  • IDBI Bank Website: www.idbi.com
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Call Centre Number: 1800 200 1947, 1800 221 070
  • Equitas Small Finance Bank Website: www.equitasbank.com
  • Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  • Call Centre Number: 1800 103 1222