HDFC Bank has surprised customers by increasing the minimum balance requirement for savings accounts, similar to ICICI Bank’s recent move.
From 1 August 2025, new savings account holders in metro and urban areas will need to maintain Rs 25,000 instead of the earlier Rs 10,000.
If the balance falls below this limit, the bank will deduct charges. This rule applies only to customers opening new savings accounts after 1 August 2025. Existing customers will continue with the old Rs 10,000 minimum balance, unless informed otherwise by the bank.
ICICI Bank’s Even Higher Requirement
While government banks are removing the minimum balance rule for savings accounts, private banks are increasing it.
ICICI Bank recently made a bigger change—new savings account customers from 1 August 2025 must maintain Rs 50,000 instead of Rs 10,000 in metro and urban branches. This is five times more than before.
The higher limit applies only to newly opened savings accounts. Existing customers remain unaffected for now. Salary accounts and BSBDA (Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts) are exempt, as they are zero-balance accounts.
Revised Minimum Balance Across Branch Types
HDFC Bank (New Accounts from 1 Aug 2025)
Metro & Urban: Rs 25,000 (Earlier Rs 10,000)
ICICI Bank (New Accounts from 1 Aug 2025)
Metro & Urban: Rs 50,000 (Earlier Rs 10,000)
Semi-Urban: Rs 25,000 (Earlier Rs 5,000)
Rural: Rs 10,000 (Earlier Rs 5,000)
