MAB in metros

With the merger, the SBI customer base has increased to 37 crore. The monthly average balance (MAB) requirement has been increased to as high as Rs 5,000 for branches in six metros.

MAB in rural area

Savings bank account holders of SBI have to maintain the monthly balance or else they will invite a penalty ranging from Rs 20 (rural branches) to Rs 100 in (metro cities) according to SBI website.

Old MAB

Till March 31, the monthly average balance (MAB) for a savings bank account was Rs 500 without the facility of the cheque book and Rs 1,000 with cheque book across the country. India's largest bank has now decided to fix separate MABs for 'Metro,' 'urban,' 'semi-urban' and 'rural' areas from the beginning of this financial year. The benchmark for MAB and penalties are likely to be followed by other public sector banks.

Penalty for metro branches

MAB for metro branches increased to Rs 5,000 and penalty for non-maintenance of minimum balance will be between Rs 50 and Rs 100. For urban and semi-urban branches, the MAB has been fixed at Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively.

Penalty in rural branches

In the case of rural branches, the minimum balance has been fixed at Rs 1,000. Breach of MAB will attract a penalty ranging between Rs 20 and Rs 50.

Exemptions

The new rates effective from April 1 are not applicable on Surabhi Basic Savings Bank and PM Jan Dhan Yojana accounts.

Hike in locker rent

Besides, the bank has increased locker rent and curtailed a number of free locker usage in a year. After usage 12 times, the customer has to pay Rs 100 plus service tax applicable for visiting his or her locker.

Cheque book charges

As far as cheque books are concerned, for a current account holder, the first 50 cheques free in a financial year; after that, it will cost Rs 3 per leaf. So 25-leaf Cheque Book now costs Rs 75 plus service tax, and 50-leaf Cheque Book cost are Rs 150 excluding service tax.

Opening fee

SBI will now charge Rs 20 for the opening fee including enrolment for savings account among other various charges that the bank has raised.

ATM uses

If one maintain 25,000 in your SBI savings account, then the customer can use ATM unlimited number of time. However, the charges of ATM usage over allowed 5 times will attract charges as prescribed by RBI.