Union Bank of India vs Federal Bank: Children’s Savings Accounts

Union Bank of India does not offer dedicated children’s account but instead offers minors the chance to have an account through its Regular Savings Account and Union Family Savings Scheme products. Federal Bank offers two savings accounts called Young Champ and YuvaMitra for children and young adults.

Children’s Savings Accounts from Union Bank of India

Union Bank does not offer a dedicated children’s account. However, minors can have accounts under its Regular Savings Account and Union Family Savings Scheme products. From a reading of the website, it seems minors can also open an account through parent or guardian under the Union Flexi Savings Deposit and Union Flexi Plus Savings Deposit schemes.

Regular Savings Account

The standard savings account from the bank.

Features

  • Can be opened by an individual for her child
  • Just like adults, the child is entitled to receive a free chequebook of 20 leaves every year
  • Allows students to keep the account with zero balance

Union Family Savings Scheme

A savings scheme under which up to 6 family members can open accounts.

Features

  • The average quarterly balance for the entire group is Rs. 1 lakh
  • Each account holder gets up to 2 chequebooks per account
  • They also can make up to Rs. 20,000 in pay orders or demand drafts each month
  • Each account holder can make ATM withdrawal or POS transaction of Rs. 25,000 each per day
  • Family members who can be included in the account are parents, grandparents, spouse, sibling and children

Union Flexi Account and Union Flexi Plus Savings Deposit

These two are higher end savings accounts, which also come with sweep facilities to put the excess money in a fixed deposit once the transaction limit crosses a specified limit. Though the Union Bank website does not specifically mention that the accounts are available for minors, it does say that individuals can open the account.

Children’s Savings Accounts from Federal Bank Limited

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

Reference Facts

  • Union Bank of India Website: www.unionbankofindia.co.in and www.unionbankonline.co.in (net banking)
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Call Centre Number: 1800 208 2244, 1800 22 2244
  • Federal Bank Website: www.federalbank.co.in
  • Headquarters: Aluva (Kochi), Kerala
  • Call Centre Number: 1800 425 1199