No, your account is not automatically closed when it reaches a balance of zero.
Zero Balance
If your account contains no money, the bank might close it. Simply because an account says there are no minimums, does not mean the account should remain empty for days or months. The time frame will vary based on your individual bank and its practices.
No Penalties
Banks levy penalty for non-maintenance of the minimum account balance in a regular savings account. A zero balance account scores over a regular savings account as you are not required to maintain a minimum balance. When you get yourself a zero balance account, you can keep any amount of money you want.
All you have to do is to go to any BDO ATM branch and withdraw all your money and BDO will automatically close the savings account for you since there is no money left in your account and they see that it is inactive. You will not incur any penalties in doing so, since this is your own money.
Closing a bank account is a straightforward process, but it can take an unexpectedly long time if you aren't prepared. Depending on a few different factors, the process can take a day, a week, or even a few months. In most cases, closing a bank account can be finalized in one or two days.
According to the RBI's norm, if a customer discontinues using his or her account for 12 consecutive months then banks will automatically make then inactive, and more than extra inactive 12 months will make it a dormant account. So, we are here to guide you as to how you can close your inactive bank account.
Yes. Generally, banks may close accounts, for any reason and without notice. Some reasons could include inactivity or low usage. Review your deposit account agreement for policies specific to your bank and your account.
The bank could close your account, take collection or other legal action against you, and even report your failure to pay, which may make it difficult to open checking accounts in the future. Note: typically, your bank won't close your account right away after an overdraft, so you have some time to sort this out.
Simply put, SBI customers keeping nil funds (or zero balance) in any type of savings account with the bank will not have to bear any penalty charges.
If It's Your Account
The easiest way to tell if your account has been closed is to call your bank. You'll need to provide information to identify yourself, such as your name, address, phone, Social Security number, PIN, account number and secret security question (such as your mother's maiden name).
Overdrawing your bank account is rarely a criminal offense. It depends on your intentions and your state's check fraud laws. According to the National Check Fraud Center, all states can impose jail time for overdrawing your account, but the reasons for overdrawing an account must support criminal prosecution.
Banks normally close overdrawn accounts after a period of 60 days, while credit unions close the accounts after just 45 days.
No. You cannot close your bank account with a negative balance. You may only close it after bringing your balance to positive and paying the bank penalties. However, your bank can force closure of your account if you fail to satisfy your debt within the time your bank allows you to do so.
But having a Zero Balance Savings Account is the most perfect alternative in such scenarios where you no need to maintain a minimum balance and also you can render free withdrawals from the account. A Zero Balance Savings Account comes with all the standard services as compared to a regular savings account in India.
Also, there is no cap on the upper limit. Unlike other savings account, the customer does not have to maintain a minimum balance and can operate the account at zero balance.
You cannot close your SBI savings, salary, or current account online; you must visit the branch with the required letter or form, as well as ID documents, to close the account. You can download the account closure form from the SBI website.
Inactivity-Related Account Closing Reasons
Banks have the option of charging monthly inactivity fees, but if there are no funds on deposit, an account will be closed after a specified amount of time. An account that was closed for inactivity may be reopened if a deposit is made within a time specified by the bank.
Prolonged negative balance
If it stays negative, they will assess an “extended overdraft fee.” These fees add up and can make a bad situation feel impossible. If the account doesn't return to at least zero, the bank charges off' the account. The bank will close your account and send the balance to a collection agency.
Yes, a bank or credit union can close your account without your permission. A bank or credit union is most likely to do this if you have written bad checks or don't have enough in your account to cover your fees.
If you haven't used your savings or current account for any transactions for over 1 year, the account becomes inactive. If the account has been inactive for 2 years, it becomes dormant or inoperative.
You won't be able to terminate your account online if you have a negative balance. To make the amount zero, you can make an online money transfer into the account. However, you must visit the branch to finish the account closure process and submit the account closure form.
If your balance goes into overdraft, the funds are transferred automatically to your checking account to cover the difference. In other cases, the bank won't return the transaction and process it, which means you'll be charged fees until you deposit money to cover the difference.
Customers have to maintain a minimum threshold amount in their bank account known as minimum average balance. If this value is not maintained, then banks charge a penalty from their customers.
Other benefits The holders of a zero-balance account can get access to a debit card as well as ATM. They can also choose to opt for mobile and/or net banking. Apart from these, the safe deposit locker facility is also provided. The charges collected for these facilities are nominal.