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5 Common Mistakes to Avoid While Investing in Fixed Deposits
When investing, a fixed deposit investment features essentially in almost everyone's investment portfolio. This low-risk, stable saving lets you enjoy steady capital gains at the end of maturity. However, even fixed deposit investment demands careful planning. We will enumerate 5 common mistakes that people tend to make while opting for fixed deposit accounts.
Successful 7 Years of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
Let us talk about Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in detail. It is a nationwide scheme launched in 2014. The programme makes financial services accessible to all eligible individuals in the country.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana - Everything You Need to Know
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana account is a financial umbrella provided by the Government of India to make economically backwards Indian citizens fall within a structured financial institution. The program endeavours to reach out to every adult to open accounts with affordable banking for all. Low-income unorganised sectors, with daily wagers, cannot opt for private banking facilities owing to eligibility criteria that impede them from maintaining those accounts. But the PMJDY allows all banking privileges to Indian citizens in zero balance accounts allowing them to save as they earn without depending on private and insecure saving cooperatives.
How To Open A Savings Account
A savings account is perhaps the first interaction a person has with a bank. It is the most basic of bank accounts. It offers the safety that a depositor looks for, plus interest rates and the flexibility of withdrawing money anytime and anywhere.
Documents Required for Savings Bank Account
A leading bank like Bank of Baroda offers a bouquet of savings accounts that you can pick from to park your salary and income from other sources with, while earning some interest based on the type of bank account you choose to open.
Features & Benefits of Savings Account
A savings account is the most basic bank account available. It is an account that allows you to pool in your finances and manage them. The funds are available to be withdrawn at any time. With the different needs and requirements of the customers, banks have begun offering different types of savings accounts to meet these different needs.
Difference Between Current Account and Savings Account
A savings account is an interest-bearing deposit account held at a bank or other financial institution. Though these accounts typically pay a modest interest rate, their safety and reliability make them a great option for parking cash you want available for short-term needs.
A Complete Guide to Savings Account
Most Indians are familiar with bank accounts, and most of you will have a saving account. Let’s look at saving account meaning, how you can open one and make the best of it in this complete guide to savings account.
What is Zero Balance Account
The growth of the Mutual Funds in India has created its edge in the personal finance industry in India and has opened up opportunities for investors to diversify their investments across various asset classes. Mutual fund is a type of financial intermediary product that empowers millions of small as well as large investors across the country to participate and invest in capital market and derive benefits from the same.
Different Types of Savings Account
Savings give financial security and relieve stress. They are fundamental for a secure financial future. It is the fund that bails you out through rough times like the Pandemic. If it hadn't been for those wisely guarded pennies, people who went through layoffs or salary reductions could not have survived. Without their savings to fall back on, things would have been difficult. Saving account interest rates may have dropped but they still add 2.75 -3.35 % (subject to change) per year to your deposit. So, while we realise it is healthy to save, you should know the types of savings account that will best serve your purpose and be beneficial for your small, medium or large saving behaviour. Here’s a quick checklist that will help you to make a more informed decision.
Liquid Funds Vs Fixed Deposits
The growth of the Mutual Funds in India has created its edge in the personal finance industry in India and has opened up opportunities for investors to diversify their investments across various asset classes. Mutual fund is a type of financial intermediary product that empowers millions of small as well as large investors across the country to participate and invest in capital market and derive benefits from the same.
Complete Guide to Business Current Account
When you start a business, you have to set up several things. You might need to rent an office space, a shop, or set up your factory. You also need to open a bank account to manage your business transactions. However, a basic savings account may not suffice. You need an account that enables unlimited transactions, i.e., a Current Account. This article explains what a Current Account is, why it is essential for your business and the many advantages of Current Accounts.
Saving vs. Investing: Which is Better for Generating Wealth
Comparing savings and investments is like comparing apples and oranges. While they are both fruitful to your financial wellbeing, they are both very different concepts. Despite this, the two terms are often used interchangeably.
Salary And Pension Solutions for Indian Military Personnel - A Complete Guide
From safeguarding our nation from external threat to maintaining peace and security within the country, India’s Armed Forces protect all of us as citizens. For all the bravery and courage that they display on a daily basis, they truly deserve the best in return. To help military personnel maintain their finances, Bank of Baroda offers salary and pension solutions for Indian military personnel.
What are the Features & Benefits of the Baroda Advantage Current Account?
Are you looking for a way to manage your daily high-value business transactions? Do you want access to extra cash to fund unforeseen financial crises? If yes, then you can opt for a Current Account. Unlike a Savings Account, these accounts come with high-value, unlimited transactions, and you can access them as often as you like, to manage your business needs. Plus, you can enjoy the overdraft facility that lets you borrow higher amounts than your balance. One of the best current accounts you can open in India is the Bank of Baroda Advantage Current Account. In this article, we assess the Bank of Baroda current account benefits and features.
Check Out These 7 Best Proven Money Saving Tips
We all have grown up listening to the importance of saving for a rainy day. However, things are easier said than done and saving a few hundred rupees by not eating at your favourite café will still probably not make a significant mark in the bank. So, what really is the best way to save money? Are there some tricks that can really make a difference and help you save enough cash for emergencies? If these are the questions running around in your mind right now, you have come to the right place. Let’s take a look at 7 saving tips that will really make the difference for you in 2022.
Savings Account Meaning & How it Works
A savings account is one of the first financial products that most people have. This account has many uses and benefits for salaried and self-employed people. In this article, we will take a look at what is a savings account in a bit more detail. We will also explain the importance of saving account and how you can open this type of account. Let’s get started!
Salary Account Vs Savings Account
A bank account is usually the first thing you need to begin your Savings journey. Indian Banks offer a wide variety of accounts wherein you can deposit money, earn interest income and build a corpus. Of these, the most common accounts are the Regular Savings Account and the Salary Account. In this article, we have compared the differences between Salary Account and Savings Account.
Baroda Salary Classic Account - Everything You Need To Know
There are many different types of bank accounts that you can open today. Salaried people can open a special salary account that can help them save while also empowering them with several benefits. One such account is offered by Bank of Baroda. Let’s understand what a salary account is and look at the Bank of Baroda Salary Classic Account benefits.
What is a Term Deposits - A Complete Guide
A bank account is the most crucial instrument that allows you to save money. You can easily deposit and withdraw funds at your convenience and grow your savings steadily. While banks offer interest on your savings account deposits, they also offer a host of investment facilities that allow you to earn better interest rates and grow your corpus significantly. One such facility is known as a term deposit. Let us understand what term deposits are and how to assess their salient features, exceptional benefits, and various types. Read on.
6 Best Ways To Earn Returns Through Your Savings Account
The very first bank account opened by most people is a Savings Account. Now, do you know that your savings account can help you earn interest on the money that you deposit in it? The rate of interest that you earn on your savings differs from one bank to the other. There are also several other ways to earn savings account returns. However, not many people are able to utilize the maximum potential of a savings account as they do not possess the right information. To help you make the most out of your savings account, here are 6 Savings Account tips:
Baroda Basic Savings Account
Basic Savings Account
If you want to open a bank account where you are not required to maintain a minimum balance every month, you can open a basic savings account. Introduced to encourage more financial inclusion, in other words, have more people become part of the banking system, a basic savings account offers basic features like deposit and withdrawal, a debit card and internet banking facility. But there is no minimum balance requirement. There are some other features of a basic savings account that vary slightly from bank to bank.
Benefits of a basic savings account
No charges for not maintaining minimum balance
The major benefit of a basic savings account is that unlike other savings accounts, you will not be fined for not maintaining minimum balance.
Cheque book
The deposit account holder will receive a 15 leaves cheque book while opening this account for no extra cost. The account holder will receive 30 cheque leaves free in a financial year.
ATM-cum-debit card
You will also get a Rupay Classic debit card free of cost that can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs or at points of sale when you make purchases.
Free passbook
The passbook facility is also available to you for free on opening a basic savings deposit account.
No charges for dormancy
You will not be charged for a dormant or non-operational account.
Free registration for standing instructions
Basic savings deposit account holders will get a free registration for standing instructions and execution from the same branch. They will have to pay charges for any other branch within the same bank or other bank.
Features of a basic savings account
Anyone can open it
Anyone can open a basic savings deposit account after furnishing all the documents to complete KYC (Know Your Customer) norms. But please note, that if you open a basic banking deposit account and you already have regular savings accounts with the bank, you will have to close the regular Savings accounts within 30 days of opening the basic savings deposit account. You will also have to submit a declaration to the Bank stating that you are not maintaining any BSBD account with our/ any other Bank.
Zero balance account
Basic savings account is a zero balance account where you are not penalized for not maintaining a specified account balance, like the regular savings accounts.
A Bank of Baroda basic savings deposit account has the following features-
30 cheque leaves in a year for free.
Debit cum ATM card at no cost however, annual fee will be applicable from second year onwards.
Internet banking facility
Four withdrawals allowed in a month for free (including ATM withdrawals from own/ other Bank’s network)
Account holders can provide standing instructions to the bank
Interest rate, tenure, application of interest is the same as regular savings accounts
No charges for dormant account or inoperative accounts.
Regular KYC norms will apply for basic schemes as well.
Baroda Pensioners Savings Bank Account
Pensioners can avail the Bank of Baroda Pensioners Savings Bank Account. This is an ideal retirement savings account. All pensioners, including Bank of Baroda staff pensioners may open this account. The Baroda Pensioners Savings account is especially created to provide necessary banking facilities and benefits to pensioners and is meant only for savings oriented transactions.
Key features of the Baroda Pensioners Savings Bank Account
Initial deposit:
The pension savings account can be opened with a minimum deposit of Rs. 5 only.
Free pass book and cheque book:
All account holders are provided with a free passbook and chequebook with an unlimited supply of cheque leaves. The free cheques facility is only reserved for the literate pensioners.
Debit card:
All account holders get a debit card which can be used for cash withdrawals, ATM transactions, balance enquiries etc. The debit card can also be used for making online and retail transactions.
Overdraft facility:
Pensioners may avail overdraft facility up-to a maximum of 2 months’ pension amount as per the net credit to savings account in the previous month, only if no other credit facility is availed by the pensioner.
Benefits of the Baroda Pensioners Savings Bank Account
No Minimum Balance requirement in the account.
Net banking
Customer get access to net banking facility for paying utility bills, online shopping and making other online transactions.
Outstation cheque
Customers can enjoy immediate credit of outstation cheques for up to Rs. 25,000
Nomination facility
Nomination facility is also available under this account
Cash deposit
Customers can deposit unlimited cash in their home branch and up-to ₹25,000 in outstation branches free of charge.
Baroda Premium Current Account-Privilege (BPCAP)
The Baroda Premium Current Account-Privilege is an ideal account for customers who own medium to large businesses. Account holders can avail several free services and benefits under the BPCAP account. The privilege current account is designed to meet several specific needs of customers holding the account. Immediate credit of outstation cheques and auto payroll are some of the key benefits offered with this account.
Key features of the Baroda Premium Current Account-Privilege
Free cheque books
BCAP account holders can obtain free unlimited chequebooks for their transactions.
Account statements
Account holders can get free account statements, twice a month.
Free facilities
BCAP account holders get free banker’s cheques, balance certificates, MT/TT facilities and signature verification facilities. They also get free auto payroll, internet banking facility, SMS alert and missed call facilities. Folio charges on the account are also waived off.
Fund transfer
No charges are levied for funds transferred at BOB’s Core Banking Solution branches.
Auto and reverse sweep facility
Account holders can deduct a minimum amount of ₹25,000 through the auto-sweep facility, provided their balance has crossed ₹5.25 lakh. Reverse sweep facility is also available.
Free Cash withdrawals
Free unlimited cash withdrawals at home branches however up-to ₹50,000 are permitted per day at non-home branches only for withdrawals made through self-cheques
Benefits of the Baroda Premium Current Account-Privilege
Account holders get a debit card (for Individual & Sole Proprietorship accounts only) with annual charges waived off for the first year
Outstation cheques of up-to ₹1.5 lakh are credited immediately credited for customers holding the account for a period of 6 months and above
Account holders are provided with a free credit card with annual charges for first year, waived off
Account holders receive a complimentary personal accident insurance cover with the credit card
Loan processing fees are waived off for car loans disbursed in the name of the firm or proprietor
20% discount is offered on BOB locker rental charges
Free standing instruction against account service if offered with the account
Nomination facility is offered with the account
Kids Bank Accounts - Features and Benefits
With advancements in banking technology, there are different types of savings accounts that are available to the people. One such type of savings account is a kids bank account. A Kids Bank Account is an account that can be operated by a child below 18 years. The child can thus imbibe a financial savings habit from early on.
Features of a Kids Bank Account
This bank account can be opened for children below 18 years. For children below 10 years, the account can be opened but can’t be operated by the child unless it is jointly operated by the parent or legal guardian. Once the child crosses 10 years, he can manage the account.
The kids bank account becomes inoperative after the child becomes a major. However, banks give the accountholder an option to convert their kids bank account into a regular savings account.
The child gets some of the features provided in a regular Savings Account such as cheque book, pass book and ATM card. However, these come with restrictions.
The kids bank account is linked to the parent or the legal guardian’s account. Each month or at a fixed interval, a sum of money is debited from the linked account to the kids bank account. This way, there is always balance in case the child spends money on the debit card. This linking feature is not available in all Banks.
Each bank has its own limits on the ATM withdrawal allowed and the per day spend allowed in a kids bank account. These safeguards prevent misuse of this account and the possibility that the child will spend more money than a particular limit.
The bank may provide a login Id and a password so that the child can operate internet banking. However, the bank usually gets a signed mandate from the parent or legal guardian before it issues the login ID and password.
These accounts must have a certain minimum account balance. The minimum account balance differs from bank to bank. In case the minimum bank account is not met, the bank charges a penalty.
The bank sends an SMS to the parent or legal guardian every time a transaction is performed in relation to the kids bank account. This helps maintain control.
How to open a savings account for kids
The procedure on how to open a kids bank account is extremely simple. The first step is to find out which bank to open the account with. It is better to open a savings account in a bank in which the parents or the legal guardian have an account. This helps the bank to link the two accounts and to put in a standing instruction to auto debit the parents or guardian’s account for funds (if linking facility is available).
Once the bank is decided, the account can be opened by filling up an account opening form on the bank’s website. Once this form is filled up, someone from the customer care department of the bank will contact you to get documents from you. Some of the documents required are:
KYC documents for parent or legal guardian
KYC documents for child
Passport size photographs of the child
Duly completed application form
In case an online application procedure is not possible, you can visit a branch, fill the form and submit the documents to open a new account.
Benefits of Kids Bank Account
A kids bank account is an excellent way to teach your child fiscal responsibility. Through this bank account, your child can learn how to operate a bank account, especially when the funds are limited.
This account teaches a child the value of budgeting since there is a limit on the transactions that can be done every day. There is also a limit on the funds in the account and a minimum account balance that has to be maintained.
Some Banks provide free insurance for the child on opening the kids bank account
Banks may have auto sweep in facility that converts excess balance into a fixed deposit so that the earnings on the account are maximized.
Kids Bank Account Tax Implications
As per the Income Tax Act, 1961, a child’s income from investments made in his name by parents is clubbed with the parent’s income. Unless the income is from the child’s own skills, in which case it is taxed in the child’s name.
Whatever interest is earned on the savings account balance or the fixed deposit through sweep in, will be clubbed with the parent or the legal guardian’s income. This income is clubbed with the working parent’s income. In case both the parents are working, this income is clubbed with the parent whose income is higher.
However, the Income Tax Act also exempts Rs. 1,500 per child for clubbed income. This provides a little bit of relief from taxation. It is important to consider children’s bank account tax as well before opening the account. However, the benefits of opening an account and teaching your child financial lessons trumps the amount paid in terms of tax on savings bank account interest.
Saving accounts features
What are the features of a savings account?
A savings account is the first step a person takes toward saving. As the name suggests it is a place where the savings are stored but it is not an investment.
The savings account is the conduit through which investments can be made. But the first step starts from taking the money out of your money box and into a bank.
Why have a savings account?
Rather than keeping money at home in your money box, keeping it in a bank is suitable as it offers interest on the deposit made. This is the main reason why you have a savings account. The interest rate is not high, but it helps in partially softening the blow of inflation. In other words, the money one deposits in the bank are working to give you some return. Not only is the money in the savings account safe and earns interest it has other advantages also.
Features of a savings account
The following are the features of savings account
First, the money can be withdrawn at any point in time. With ‘Any-Time-Money’ (ATM) counters available across the country, a saving bank account holder who has debit/ ATM card facility can withdraw money from anywhere in the country. This adds a safety element where the depositor need not move around carrying cash in his pocket.
With e-payment on the increase, the saving bank account helps in regular monthly payments like that of electricity, society maintenance, telephone and mobile bill payment, insurance premium payment among others.
Salaries can be directly credited to the savings bank account. This helps both the employee as well as the employer. For the employer with a single click of the button, money is transferred to all the employees. For the employee, they are saved the travel to the bank as well as can have the money credited in their account at a faster pace.
Post-retirement the same savings bank account helps in getting a regular pension.
Loans that a person takes are generally linked to the savings bank account which is the primary account where his salary is deposited. Direct electronic instructions can be given from the savings bank account or Post Dated Cheques (PDCs) from this account. Savings bank account often eases the process of availing loans.
Cheque bounce history of the customer’s savings account tells his creditworthiness. A customer with no defaults on loans on his name has a much higher credit rating and finds it easier to get loans.
Having a savings bank account encourages the habit of saving rather than keeping cash in hand. This discourages impulsive shopping.
Savings account helps in accessing other financial instruments like online trading, mutual funds investments through direct transfers among others.
A standing instruction can be given to the bank where if the amount in the Savings Account crosses a particular threshold it will be transferred to any other higher yielding instrument.
It helps in making travel plans easier by booking tickets as well as hotel bookings through online mode.
The passbook or electronic statement of the savings bank helps in keeping an automatic tab of where the money came from and where it was spent.
At the end of the year, it helps in filling your tax returns with the income tax authorities. Since all the transactions are recorded in the bank statement, a salaried employee has the little hassle to file his returns.
Savings vs Current Accounts the key differences
Opening a bank account is one of the first steps we take towards financial independence. We start with small savings that we deposit each time we come upon extra money by opening a savings account. As our financial requirements change, we find the need to open an additional account, to conduct daily transactions especially business transactions. Such an account is known as a current account. In this article, we shall highlight the major differences between savings and current account and understand the procedure to link your Aadhaar card with either account.
Savings and current accounts – how they differ
Both, savings and current accounts come with their own set of features which makes them different in several ways. Both accounts are meant to address the various financial needs of account holders. Let us look at the significant factors that distinguish the current account and savings account.
The purpose of the accounts: Savings accounts are designed by banks to encourage savings among account holders, whereas the current account is intended for people who need to make frequent transactions especially for business purpose.
The type of account holder: Savings account are best suited for individuals with a steady source of income; salaried employees, for instance. This type of account is an excellent option for anyone with short-term financial goals in which one can keep depositing or withdrawing money as per their requirements. The government encourages everyone to open savings accounts. Current accounts, on the other hand, are best suited for people in business, companies, firms, organisations, public enterprises and so on. They are meant for people who need to carry out repeated money transactions.
The frequency of transactions: Individuals, who have a savings account, are permitted to make a limited number of transactions every month. You typically get 3 to 5 transactions every month, including financial transactions like fund transfers, cash deposits and withdrawals to non-financial transactions such as getting account statements, ordering cheque books etc post which you are charged a certain amount for each transaction. The difference between current account and saving account in this respect is that you can carry out unlimited monthly transactions of all kinds.
Interest: You can earn a quarterly, half-yearly or annual interest of 3.5% to 6% per annum (depending upon your bank and account type) on your savings account. You are also allowed to accumulate an unlimited amount of funds in these accounts. On the other hand, you do not earn any interest on the monies parked in a current account.
Average minimum balance: Each bank asks the account holder to maintain a fixed sum of money or minimum balance into their accounts. One has to pay a penalty for non-maintenance of minimum balance. You are usually required to maintain a low minimum balance in savings account, (which can even be zero in case of a salary/ zero-balance account), whereas as current account holders are required to maintain relatively higher minimum balances.
Now that we have highlighted the main differences between the two accounts let us understand how to link Aadhaar card with bank account (for DBT benefits only). You can visit the bank and follow the below steps
Ask for an Aadhar linking application form at the bank; enter your current/savings account details and Aadhaar Number.
Attach a self-attested photocopy of your Aadhaar card with the application and carry your original Aadhaar card to furnish to the bank for verification purposes.
The bank will accept your request and link your account to Aadhaar.
You will receive an SMS notification from the bank when the Aadhar link to bank account is successfully completed.
You can also link your Aadhaar card to your bank account through internet banking by going on the “My Account” section and entering your Aadhaar card details and verifying using OTP or through your mobile banking app in the same way
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Types of Accounts and Deposits
What are the types of accounts and deposits available?
It’s important to know where you can save your money. As the rule goes, high-risk on your capital can result in a higher return while investing money in low-risk instruments would result in lower interest.
Banks, including Bank of Baroda offer a host of instruments that are what can be termed as low on risk and medium to low on return.
We shall now look at the various instruments that are available to a customer to deposit their money with the bank and earn returns.
Types of Deposits
A primary function for a bank is to mobilise public money. They do so in the form of deposits. There are two types of deposit accounts that you can open in a bank. They are time deposits and demand deposits.
Time Deposits
A Time Deposit also known as a Term Deposit is a deposit which has a fixed tenure and earns interest for the customer. The tenure varies for each instrument and may even change from bank to bank.
The most widely used name for time deposits is Fixed Deposits. The common feature among all Time deposits is that they cannot be withdrawn prematurely. One should thus plan their deposits according to their requirement for money going forward.
The more the money resides in the bank of a term deposit the more interest it earns. Banks pay higher interest in longer-term deposits than on shorter ones.
Fixed Deposits earn higher interest than a Savings Account because the former gives Banks leg room to lend to people who need the money for roughly the same time limit. For example, a one year fixed deposit in a bank can allow the bank to lend money to a person who requires a personal loan for one year period.
Commercial banks have over the years made Fixed Deposits more attractive by offering various frills like overdraft facility, zero cost credit cards, nomination facility, safe deposit lockers, internet banking among others.
Recurring Deposits
In this case, a fixed amount, as decided by the depositor, is deposited at regular intervals till the end of the tenure. The accumulated interest and the principal is given back to the depositor at the end of the tenure. The tenure of a recurring deposit can be anything from six months to 120 months.
Demand Deposits
As the name suggested, you can withdraw this deposit on demand. Such funds are held in accounts where it is easier to withdraw money either by going to the bank or an ATM. Savings and Current accounts are the two types of commonly used Demand Deposits account,
In such type of deposits, the risk is low but so is the return. However, there is one more factor that this type of deposit has and that is liquidity since money can be withdrawn at a moment’s notice.
The reason for the existence of such accounts is to provide the customer convenience of meeting his daily requirement of funds. It does not serve the purpose of ‘investment’ or ‘wealth creation’.
TYPES OF ACCOUNTS
Savings Account
These are interest-bearing accounts where the rate of interest depends on the bank where it is deposited. Further, there are restrictions in terms of the number of times money can be withdrawn from this account. These restrictions are also imposed by the bank and may vary between two banks. The depositor can withdraw his money by going to the bank and use the withdrawal slip or use his cheque book or go to an ATM and use his card. Money can also be transferred to someone else by using the cheque facility or using an electronic mode of transfer.
Current Account
This type of account is generally operated by companies and firms. These are the non-interest-bearing deposit and serve the purpose of providing liquidity. Since there are many transactions in these accounts, the cost of managing them is high. Hence banks ask the depositors to maintain a minimum deposit. Current accounts have overdraft facility which the banks provide the customers to meet their short-term liquidity mismatch.
What is current account
Banks offers several kinds of accounts to customers depending on their needs. Two of the most popular are savings account and current account.
So what is current account? Current account is for those who have a very high volume of transactions – whether debit or credit. Hence it is meant for conducting a business, and generally opened for businessmen, traders and service providers. Sometimes current accounts are also called demand deposit accounts. No interest is paid on these accounts, sometimes even a fee is charged for banking services.
To understand the current account meaning, let’s look at its various features.
High liquidity
Current accounts are meant to ensure a high level of liquidity. Money flows constantly in and out of an account. Customers use it not as an investment, but as a tool to facilitate daily business transactions. They issue cheques to those with whom they have business dealing, and, in turn, receive cheques from them.
Interest rates:
One feature of a current account is that deposits made in it does not earn interest. This is because, as we have pointed out earlier, the current account definition is that it’s a tool for conducting business, not an investment avenue. On the other hand, a savings account earns some interest for customers – albeit small. However, there are some banks that offer a sweep-in facility. That is, if the balance reaches a certain level, it is automatically transferred to a savings account or a fixed deposit, where it can earn some interest.
Overdraft
When you are finding out what is current account in bank, you need to understand the concept of an overdraft. Business transactions are quite fluid and rapid, and sometimes there could be a gap in the inflows and outflows. Banks in that case provide an overdraft facility so that any cheques issued are not dishonoured.
Difference between savings account and current account
Now that we explained what is meant by current account, let’s compare it with a savings account. How different are the two accounts?
Interest rates: Savings banks offer interest to encourage customers to save. Current account is focused on money flows, so no interest is offered. In fact, charges may be levied.
Target customers: The target customers of a current account are businessmen, traders and service providers. Savings accounts are meant for individuals, especially for salaried persons with a monthly income.
Minimum balance: Both savings accounts and current accounts require a minimum balance to be maintained. However, this is higher in the case of current accounts.
Overdraft: While a current account offers overdraft facility, no such facility is available in a savings account.
Number of transactions: The number of transactions allowed in a current account is quite large. It’s much smaller in the case of Savings Accounts
Advantages of current account
Enables businesspersons to keep the flow of money smooth, and get and make payments on time.
Overdraft facilities are available to tide over any temporary cash flow issues.
Internet and mobile banking enable smooth and error-free transactions.
Very handy for large volume of transactions.
All Indian banks offer current account facilities. You can open one in any bank by completing formalities like submitting PAN card, Certificate of Incorporation, address proof of the company, ID and address proof of partners and directors etc.
