From November 1, 2025, new banking rules will be rolled out in India, which will have a major impact on the management of customer deposits, maintenance of minimum balances, and the nomination of beneficiaries. The government has through the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025, set the stage for the new rules that will be the basis for improved transparency, customer service, and security for account holders.
Minimum Balance Rules Updated
Major banks like SBI, ICICI, HDFC, and PNB have changed their Monthly Average Balance (MAB) requirements. For instance:
MAB for ICICI Bank in metro branches has been lowered from ₹50,000 to ₹15,000.
Besides that, SBI and HDFC are providing zero-balance accounts for not only pensioners but also students and people with low incomes. So, simply by adopting these changes, the banks can get rid of penalties and at the same time, they would have improved their service accessibility.
Cash Deposit Limits and Charges
Starting from November 1, the banks will impose new limits on free cash deposits:
- Cash can only be deposited by the customers up to a specified amount every month without any charges.
- After that, a fee ranging from ₹50 to ₹150 will be charged depending on the respective bank and its location. This move indirectly drives people to transact only using digital modes thus simultaneously helping banks in keeping their operational costs at a manageable level.
New Nomination Rules for Accounts and Lockers
- Out of the many changes, the one that stands out is the nomination flexibility:
- In case of accounts or lockers, customers will now be allowed to nominate one to four individuals maximum.
Distributions can be made like full, half, or any other proportion. Thus, this reform speeds up the claim settlements and, in turn, protects the families from being stuck in legal delays due to the account holder’s death.
Bank Rule Changes Summary Table
| Feature | Old Rule | New Rule (Nov 1, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Balance (Metro) | ₹50,000 (ICICI) | ₹15,000 (ICICI), Zero-balance options |
| Free Cash Deposit Limit | Unlimited | Capped with charges beyond limit |
| Nomination Requirement | One nominee only | Up to four nominees allowed |
| Claim Settlement | Lengthy process | Faster with multiple nominees |
Final Thoughts
These new banking rules will take effect starting November 1 and they aim at making the financial services secure, transparent, and user-friendly. Customers are recommended to revisit their nomination details, check their account balance requirements, and move to the digital banking option so as not to incur penalties and have a smoother transactions experience.