Operational Aspects of Deposit Accounts
Principles & Practices of Banking | Unit 1 Chapter Notes
CA, SB, BSBDA, FD, RD, CDs — features, interest norms, inoperative accounts, DEAF, joint account modes, nomination (DA-1/DA-2/DA-3), garnishee orders, and all the numbers examiners love to test from this chapter.
📌 Why This Chapter Matters in JAIIB
Chapter 5 is a high-yield chapter — expect 5–8 questions per attempt. Examiners regularly test: who CANNOT open a current account (illiterates, blind, Pardanashin women, minors); minimum FD period (7 days); bulk deposit thresholds (₹2 crore for SCBs); inoperative account rules (2 years, 10 years for DEAF); joint account modes (E or S vs. F or S vs. A or S); nomination forms (DA-1/DA-2/DA-3); BSBDA features (4 free withdrawals/month); and garnishee order basics (Order NISI → Order Absolute).
Current Account & Savings Bank Account
A. Current Account — Key Features
Current account is a transactional account for frequent business/operational transactions. It is primarily used by traders, business people, and entrepreneurs.
| Feature | Rule |
|---|---|
| Interest | No interest payable by the bank on CA deposits. |
| Withdrawal restrictions | None — account holder can withdraw any amount at any time. |
| Deposit restrictions | None — no restriction on amount or number of deposits. |
| Transaction limit | None — no restriction on number of transactions in any period. |
| Minimum balance | Banks often stipulate minimum balance but there is no ceiling on the maximum balance. |
| Temporary Overdraft (TOD) | Allowed with specific policy/circular approval, against written request + Demand Promissory Note from account holder. |
| Cash deposits/withdrawals | Permitted. ATM facility available for individuals. |
| NACH authorisation | Account holders may authorise corporates/FIs to collect payments by debit through NACH mandates. |
⚠️ Who CANNOT Open a Current Account
B. Savings Bank Account — Key Features
Who can open
Individuals (singly or jointly), Karta of HUF, minors above 10 years, and specifically RBI-approved organisations.
Business transactions NOT allowed
SB accounts are not meant for transactions related to business or trading activities.
No ceiling on balance
There is no maximum limit on the balance in a savings account.
Interest rate
Deregulated — banks are free to decide. Uniform rate for balances up to ₹1 lakh. Differential rates permitted for balances above ₹1 lakh (but no discrimination between deposits of similar amount accepted on the same date).
Interest calculation
Calculated on daily end-of-day balance products. Credited at quarterly or shorter intervals.
Cash withdrawal
Through withdrawal slip with passbook (in person only) OR through ATM.
Withdrawals by account holder only
Cash withdrawal through withdrawal form is permitted only for the account holder, with passbook.
C. Organisations Prohibited from Opening SB Accounts
RBI prohibits savings accounts for: Government departments/bodies dependent on budgetary allocations, Municipal Corporations/Committees, Panchayat Samitis, State Housing Boards, Water/Sewerage Boards, Text Book Publishing Corporations, Metropolitan Development Authorities, State/District Level Housing Co-operatives, political parties, and any trading/business/professional concern (proprietorship, partnership, company, or association).
D. Organisations RBI Permits to Open SB Accounts
⚠️ SB Account — Minimum Balance Rules
BSBDA, Fixed Deposits, Recurring Deposits & CDs
A. Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA)
BSBDA facilitates financial inclusion — especially for lower economic strata. The following basic minimum facilities must be offered free of charge, with no minimum balance:
🧠 BSBDA Free Minimum Facilities
Key BSBDA Rules
B. Fixed Deposits (Term Deposits)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum period | 7 days |
| Maximum period | Normally 120 months (10 years) |
| Bulk deposit threshold (SCBs excl. RRBs, & SFBs) | ₹2 crore and above |
| Bulk deposit threshold (RRBs) | ₹15 lakh and above |
| Premature withdrawal — mandatory for individuals | Mandatory for TDs of ₹15 lakh and below (singly or jointly held). Banks CAN offer TDs without premature withdrawal option. |
| Premature withdrawal before 7 days | NO interest paid |
| Interest on premature withdrawal | At rate applicable for period actually completed — NOT the contracted rate; penalty may apply if disclosed upfront |
| Interest payment | Ordinary TD: periodic (quarterly); Special/Reinvestment TD: compounded quarterly, paid at maturity |
| Overdue (unclaimed) FD interest | SB rate OR contracted rate — whichever is LOWER |
| Payment of maturity amount ≥ ₹20,000 | Must be by account credit only — NOT cash |
| Loan against TD | Permitted on surrender of discharged TD receipt with letter of lien; margin 5%–20% |
| Floating rate TDs | Permitted — linked to a directly observable, transparent, market-determined external benchmark |
C. Recurring Deposits (RD)
D. Certificate of Deposits (CDs)
CDs are short-term negotiable money market instruments — a distinct category from regular bank deposits.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuers | SCBs, RRBs, and SFBs |
| Form | Dematerialised only |
| Denomination | ₹5 lakh — minimum ₹5 lakh |
| Interest rate | Fixed or floating (linked to FIMMDA benchmark) |
| Tenor | Minimum 7 days; Maximum 1 year |
| Issuance | At discounted value OR with a coupon for interest |
| Secondary market | Traded in secondary market |
| Buyback | Permitted if offered to ALL investors in the specific issue |
| Stamp duty | Applicable on issuance |
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