HDFC Bank has increased the minimum balance requirement for new savings account holders, following a similar move by ICICI Bank. Starting August 1, 2025, customers opening a savings account in metro and urban areas will be required to maintain a minimum balance of ₹25,000 at all times. Previously, the requirement was ₹10,000. If the balance falls below this threshold, penalty charges will apply.
Rule Applicable Only to New Accounts
The new rule will affect only those customers who open savings accounts on or after August 1, 2025. Existing account holders will continue under the current requirement until further notice. As of now, the ₹10,000 minimum balance rule still applies to existing urban savings accounts.
Private Banks Increasing Limits, Public Banks Relaxing Rules
While many public sector banks have scrapped minimum balance requirements for savings accounts, private banks are moving in the opposite direction. ICICI Bank recently implemented a substantial increase, requiring new savings account holders in metro and urban branches to maintain a minimum balance of ₹50,000, up from the earlier ₹10,000. This change also took effect on August 1, 2025, and applies only to newly opened accounts.
Different Requirements for Different Branch Categories
HDFC Bank’s new policy also revises minimum balance norms for semi-urban and rural branches:
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Semi-Urban Branches: Raised from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000.
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Rural Branches: Raised from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000.
Salary accounts and Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts (BSBDA) will remain unaffected, as they do not require a minimum balance.