Banking: This bank gave a big shock to its customers! Minimum balance increased 5 times..

ICICI Bank: ICICI Bank, the second largest lender in the private sector, has announced the rules for a minimum average balance for new accounts. The new rules will apply to accounts opened from August 1, 2025.

5 times increase in minimum average balance

Under the new rule, ICICI Bank has increased the minimum average balance limit in savings accounts by up to 5 times, after which customers will have to keep more money in their savings account than before.

These customers will be affected.

The bank has increased the minimum average balance limit for customers of all metro, urban, semi-urban, and rural areas.

Now this much money will have to be kept in the savings account.

The biggest change in metro and urban-

According to ICICI Bank, now the customers of metro and urban areas will have to maintain an average balance of at least Rs 50,000 in their savings account during a month; earlier, this limit was Rs 10,000, which is a 5-fold increase.

Big increase in semi-urban too

At the same time, semi-urban customers will now have to maintain a minimum average balance of Rs 25,000 in their savings account during the month; earlier, this limit was Rs 5,000.

Impact on rural customers-

Apart from this, the average monthly balance limit for rural customers has been increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 10,000.

Applicable from when-
The new minimum average balance limit for ICICI Bank's savings account has become effective from August 1 in all branches across the country.

ICICI Bank Minimum monthly average balance (MAB)

Metro and Urban branches- Rs 50,000
Semi-urban branches- Rs 25,000
Rural branches- Rs10,000
With the requirement of Rs 50,000, ICICI Bank has become one of the domestic banks with the highest minimum average balance limit in the country.

Penalty for not maintaining the minimum balance

ICICI Bank customers who fail to maintain the revised minimum balance from August 1 will face a penalty as per the updated fee schedule.

These government banks have abolished the requirement for a minimum balance.

On one hand, private banks like ICICI are increasing the minimum average balance limit. On the other hand, government banks are eliminating this requirement.

In the last few months, many government banks have abolished the requirement of a minimum balance in savings accounts; these banks include State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Punjab National Bank.

Frequently Asked Questions- FAQs

Q1. What changes has ICICI Bank made in Minimum Average Balance (MAB)?

Ans: ICICI Bank has increased the minimum average balance limit by up to 5 times for newly opened savings accounts from August 1, 2025.

Q2. When did these new rules come into effect?

Ans: The new MAB rules have come into effect from August 1, 2025 and are applicable to all ICICI branches across India.

Q3. Which customers will be affected by this change?

Ans: This change will apply to new savings accounts opened after August 1, 2025.

Q4. What if the customer fails to maintain the minimum balance?

Ans: If the customer fails to maintain the prescribed minimum average balance, he will have to pay a penalty as per the revised fee schedule of ICICI Bank.

Q5. Are other banks also doing this?

Ans: No, public sector banks like SBI, Canara Bank, PNB and Bank of Baroda have abolished the requirement of minimum balance in savings accounts in recent months.

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