HDFC Minimum Balance: After ICICI Bank, now the country's leading private bank HDFC has also made a big change in the rules related to its savings account. The bank has increased the minimum balance limit for savings accounts in urban and semi-urban areas to Rs 25,000.
Earlier this limit was Rs 10,000 for urban areas and Rs 5,000 for semi-urban areas. This new rule will apply to customers opening accounts after August 1, 2025. However, old account holders have got relief for now.
HDFC Minimum Balance: Big blow for urban areas
Customers with accounts in metropolitan and urban regions must consistently keep a minimum balance of Rs 25,000 in their savings accounts. If the balance drops below the specified limit, the bank will charge a monthly penalty fee. HDFC Bank explains that this action is a result of rising operational costs and expenses related to banking services.
HDFC Minimum Balance: Rules changed for rural and semi-urban branches as well
In semi-urban areas, where earlier only Rs 5,000 balance was mandatory, now that too has been increased to Rs 25,000. At the same time, the minimum balance limit for rural branches has been increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. However, this rule will also apply only to new account holders.
Who will not be affected?
Individuals with salary accounts and Basic Saving Bank Deposit Accounts (BSBDA) are exempt from this modification. These accounts offer a zero-balance feature, meaning there is no requirement to maintain a minimum balance.
ICICI Bank has already made the change
Prior to HDFC, ICICI Bank introduced the new regulation on August 1, 2025, setting the minimum balance for new account holders at Rs 50,000. This measure was adopted in response to rising banking expenses. These modifications indicate that while government banks are striving to provide relief to customers, private banks are imposing stricter regulations.