"UCO No-frills Savings Bank Account"

In order to include a larger cross-section of the population, who are at the bottom of the pyramid, to avail of the banking services who could not avail of the same on account of some restrictive clauses, namely, minimum initial deposit for opening of the account which is difficult to arrange by such population, maintenance of minimum balance failing which charges are levied etc., it has been felt expedient to introduce a new Savings Deposit Scheme titled "UCO No-frills Savings Bank Account".

The salient features of the scheme so designed are as follows:

1.         Title of the Scheme - "UCO No-frills Savings Bank Account".

2.         Initial deposit for opening the account and maintenance of minimum balance - The account can be opened with a minimum initial deposit of Rs.5/-. In case of cheque facility being availed by the account holder, the minimum initial balance should be Rs.250/-. In case of need, the balance in the account may be allowed to go even below the minimum initial deposit and the account may continue even with "Zero" balance.

Opening of Account under the scheme - The scheme is introduced in all metro, urban, semi-urban and rural categories of branches without making any differentiation with regard to amounts of initial deposit and maintenance of minimum balance as prevailing at present for opening of Savings Bank Accounts.

3.         Eligibility for opening "No-frills Savings Bank Account" - The eligibility for opening "No-frills" Account will be the same as that for opening an ordinary Savings Bank Account. Persons above the age 10 and below 18 years and are able to read and write may also open a minor no-frills savings account in his own name or jointly with any other person.

4.         Restriction of number of withdrawals/debit entries in "No-frills" Account - up to 25 debit entries in a half-year are allowed free in those accounts. In case the debit entries exceed 25 during a half-year, charges will be levied @ Rs.3/- per additional entry during a half-year.

 

5.         Charges to be levied -

a.         For accounts opened with initial deposits of Rs.250/- for having Cheque Book facility, in case the balance comes down below the initial deposit even upto zero balance, usual charge for non-maintenance of initial deposit shall be levied.

b.         For standing instructions - no charge will be levied.

c.         Collection of cheques and issuance of Demand Drafts/MTs are permitted in those accounts and normal charges are to be levied for those services.

d.         For accounts with cheque book facility, one cheque book of 20 leaves to be provided free of charge in each year. Any additional requirement of cheque leaves during a year will attract a charge of Rs.2/- per cheque leaf.

e.         No incidental and folio charges will be levied in these accounts.

f.          All other charges for services as presently applicable for normal Savings Bank Account are to be levied and recovered.

6.         Compliance of KYC Guidelines - Simplified KYC procedures for opening of Accounts as advised through Bank's Circular No. CHO/SUA/39/2005-06 dated 29.08.2005 may be adhered to. The salient features of the Circular are mentioned hereunder for ready reference:

In case, the person concerned who wants to open the account is not able to produce any of the specified documents, required to be verified at the time of opening of account to establish the identity and address of the customer, the account may be opened for those persons subject to compliance of the following:

a.                   Introduction from another account holder who has been subjected to full KYC procedure. The introducer's account with the bank should be at least six month old and should show satisfactory transactions. Photographs of the customer who proposes to open the account and also his address need to be certified by the introducer.

or

b.         Furnishing any other evidence as to the identity and address of the customer to the satisfaction of the bank.

However, while opening such accounts the customer should be made aware that if at any point of time, the balance in all his/her accounts with the bank (taken together) exceeds Rs.50,000/- or total credits in the accounts exceed Rs.1.00 lakh in a year, no further transaction will be permitted in the account until full KYC procedure in regard to verification of identity and address of the customer through the documents as specified are complied with.