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A Complete Guide to Savings Account
17 Oct 2022
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Most Indians are familiar with bank accounts, and most of you will have a saving account. Let’s look at saving account meaning, how you can open one and make the best of it in this complete guide to savings account.
Banks have many types of savings accounts, the main ones being current account and saving account. The saving account definition should give you some indication about what it’s all about – it’s about saving. There are finer differences between Savings Account and Current Account. Of course, there’s more to a saving account that just that. So let’s find out what is a saving account benefits and features.
What Is Savings Account
A saving account is meant for individuals and salaried people to meet their personal requirements. The main function is to ensure liquidity. It enables you to make and receive payments. For example, you deposit the cheques you receive in your saving account and use the account to make payments. And when you need cash to meet your day-to-day requirements, you just withdraw it from your savings account.
Most banks today offer Mobile and Internet banking, so the process of making and receiving payments has become so much easier. You hardly need to visit the bank branch to make any transactions. You can withdraw cash from an ATM, can transfer funds online to pay bills, make purchases, send money to your family in another city etc.
So the saving account includes liquidity and saving. But the emphasis is more on liquidity. Sure, your saving account does offer you interest on the balances you keep in it. But these are on the lower side, ranging from 3-6 percent. This will not cover even the inflation rate, and the real value of your money will diminish if you keep it in a savings account for a long time. But then, a savings account is very liquid, and there are costs involved in that.
If you want to keep funds for a longer time, it’s better to switch over to a fixed deposit, which offers a much higher interest rate. Some banks offer a sweep-in facility where money above a certain limit in your savings account will be automatically transferred to a fixed deposit.
Most banks require you to keep a minimum balance in your savings account. However, there are no-frills accounts that enable you keep zero balance in your account.
In recent times, banks have differentiated their savings account offerings so that the savings bank account meaning seems to have undergone a change. Many of us don’t know what is a zero balance savings account that allows you to keep your account clean as a whistle. A salary account enables an employer to disburse salaries to employees quickly and efficiently. And there are savings accounts that are meant especially. Despite the difference between salary account and savings account, we can also find many similarities between them.
Benefits Of Savings Account
Enables you to keep your cash safe.
Enables easy payments and receipts.
Idle cash earns interest.
Easy to operate.
Network of ATMs make it easier to withdraw cash.
Online banking enables easy payment of bills and fund transfer.
How To Open A Savings Account
In recent years, banks have simplified the account opening process, so that it can be done quickly and efficiently. In fact, some banks even send their representatives over to your home, so that you can know how to open a savings account without ever visiting the bank branch. Here’s what you need to open a savings bank account:
Proof of identity, like Aadhaar card or PAN card.
Proof of address, like passport, Aadhaar card, driving licence or voter card.
Passport-size photographs.
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Disclaimer
The contents of this article/infographic/picture/video are meant solely for information purposes and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bank of Baroda. The contents are generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances. Bank of Baroda and/ or its Affiliates and its subsidiaries make no representation as to the accuracy; completeness or reliability of any information contained herein or otherwise provided and hereby disclaim any liability with regard to the same. The information is subject to updation, completion, revision, verification and amendment and the same may change materially. The information is not intended for distribution or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or would subject Bank of Baroda or its affiliates to any licensing or registration requirements. Bank of Baroda shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information mentioned. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision.
Documents Required for Savings Bank Account
A leading bank like Bank of Baroda offers a bouquet of savings accounts that you can pick from to park your salary and income from other sources with, while earning some interest based on the type of bank account you choose to open.
Liquid Funds Vs Fixed Deposits
The growth of the Mutual Funds in India has created its edge in the personal finance industry in India and has opened up opportunities for investors to diversify their investments across various asset classes. Mutual fund is a type of financial intermediary product that empowers millions of small as well as large investors across the country to participate and invest in capital market and derive benefits from the same.