Axis Bank Savings Account Rules: New rules for Axis Bank account holders effective December 1 – take note, or you might regret it..
Axis Bank is set to change its rules for millions of its account holders. You will now have to pay higher charges for maintaining a low account balance, withdrawing cash, or having a cheque bounce. The free limit for cash transactions will also be reduced. These changes will come into effect on December 1, 2026, for both savings and salary accounts. Full details are provided below.
What is changing?
1. Rural customers to be most affected by failure to maintain minimum balance
If the minimum balance is not maintained, the bank charges a service fee of 6% on the shortfall (the amount by which the balance falls short). While this formula remains the same, the bank has increased the cap on the maximum penalty.
Previously, the maximum penalty was ₹600 for metro and urban areas, ₹300 for semi-urban areas, and ₹150 for rural areas. From December 1, however, customers in all locations—whether urban or rural—will be subject to a maximum penalty of ₹600. The maximum charge for NRI accounts has also been set at ₹600. Note that this rule does not apply to salary accounts.
2. Reduction in free cash transaction limits
You will now need to be more careful when depositing or withdrawing cash. The bank has lowered the free cash transaction limit for savings accounts such as 'Easy Access', 'Krishi', and 'Sahaj'.
Previously, you could perform up to 4 free cash transactions per month or up to a limit of ₹1 lakh (whichever occurred first). Under the new rules, this limit has been reduced to 3 transactions per month or ₹1 lakh.
3. Heavier penalties for bounced cheques
If you make payments via cheque, ensure that no cheque bounces. Previously, a penalty of ₹50 was charged for the first instance of an outward cheque return, and ₹100 for subsequent instances. However, the bank has withdrawn this concession effective December 1. A flat charge of ₹200 will now be levied for every outward cheque return. This rule will apply to almost all types of savings accounts offered by the bank (such as Easy Access, Liberty, Priority, Burgundy, etc.).
4. Stricter requirements for Total Relationship Value (TRV)
The rules for the bank’s premium accounts—such as Prime, Prestige, Priority, Sampann, Advantage, and Arise Women’s Accounts—have been tightened. Previously, it was mandatory to maintain 75% of the stipulated Total Relationship Value (TRV) for these accounts; this requirement has now been increased to 100%.
What should you do if you hold an account?
If you are an Axis Bank customer, be sure to check your account type and the required minimum balance before December 1, 2026. Ensure that your account balance does not fall below the prescribed limit, and try to avoid excessive cash transactions (more than three times a month) to steer clear of any heavy penalty charges.
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