The spread of coronavirus across the globe has created a big dent on the financial conditions of everyone. With pay cuts, salary delays and even lay-offs, there is hardly any money coming in people’s bank account. In this situation, people who forget to maintain a minimum balance in their accounts get charged with hefty fines.

Amidst all this, top banks such as Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Bank of Maharashtra have announced a revision in the penalty charges of non-maintenance of minimum balance. The penalty has increased and so has the troubles of common people.

The Best Way Out: Open A Zero Balance Savings Account

One of the best ways is to open a zero balance savings account. If you are a salaried employee, chances are high that you already have it. Otherwise, you can also open one online.

Be it SBI, HDFC or ICICI or Kotak Mahindra, almost all the leading banks offer this zero balance savings account that offers various features and benefits. Some of the best ones include:

·     No Need to Maintain Minimum Balance: As the name suggests, you do not need to maintain a minimum balance, unlike a normal savings account. You will not be charged with any penalty even if you have no balance in the account.

·     Easy Transactions: Zero balance accounts offer net banking, allowing you to make easy cash transactions. You can use this option to pay your bills and make payments online.

·     Free Debit Card and ATM access: A zero balance account also offers you ATM access with Debit card across all the outlets.

·     Mobile Banking: Banks also offer mobile banking services with zero balance account which you can easily access from your smartphone. From checking your bank balance to making transactions and paying utility bills, you can use all these services easily through your mobile.

·     Interest Rates: In some banks, the interest rate on a zero balance saving account is the same as that on a regular saving bank account.

Apart from the features listed above, you can also avail various other benefits such as banking on Whatsapp, Virtual Debit Card, Personalized account number and so on.

Different banks offer different features of zero balance account but one thing that remains the same is that you do not have to maintain a minimum balance.

 For more such articles and updates from the banking sector, keep browsing bankingontips.com.

Apply for Kotak Bank Zero Balance Saving Account: Click Here

Apply for IndusInd Bank Zero Balance Saving Account: Click Here

With jobs laid off and factories locked down, COVID-19 has taken up people's livelihood if not lives. With no income source, a large number of people are thinking of violating lockdown rules, just to earn pennies.

However, India's biggest lending institution has stepped in to give them a breath of ease. The State of Bank of India (SBI) has started to provide emergency loans to its customers with a hassle-free process.

The maximum amount of loan is Rs 5 lakh, and the loan type is - Personal loan. An account holder of SBI savings account can apply for this loan through the YONO app of SBI.

How To Check Your Eligibility Of Loan

Of course, the SBI is not lending money to every account holder. A background history check-up will be done of your account before lending you a loan. To check if you are eligible for the loan or not, you can choose any of the following two methods:

Through YONO App

●      Download the YONO App on your mobile phone. It is available in both- Google Play Store for Android users and the App Store for iOS users.

●      Once the app is installed, open it and click on the 'Pre Approved Loans' option.

●      An OTP will be sent to your linked mobile number. Enter that OTP in your app.

●      Your part of the job is done. SBI will reply to you in 45 minutes.

Through SMS

●      Open your text messages and Type PAPL and the last four digits of your SBI bank account number in the text area.

●      Send the message to 567676 through your linked mobile number.

●      SBI will send further query questions like loan amount. Reply, as per your need.

●      The bank will reply you back in 45 minutes.

Interest Rate and EMIs

If your bank account is eligible for the emergency loan, SBI will credit the money into your bank account in less than 45 minutes. The interest rates for the loan will be 10.5 percent.

Compared to the interest rates of personal loans given by other banks, the interest rate on the SBI Emergency Loan is pretty fair. And the best thing about the loan is that the EMIs will start after six months of the loan approval.

We will update the news as soon as the bank gives more updates on the loan. Still, if you have any queries about the loan, you can contact the customer care services of the bank.

For more such news and trending stories on the banking sector, keep reading BankingOnTips.

In the wake of ongoing coronavirus crisis, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held two separate meetings with the heads of various public and private sector banks. The meeting was held online through video conferences. Understanding the importance of it, the meeting was attended by Governor Shaktikanta Das, Deputy Governor and senior officials of RBI along with the MD and CEOs of major public and private sector banks.

One of the most important discussions was made on the implementation of 3 months moratorium of the repayment of bank loans. 

As per the reports, many banks have requested the RBI to extend the grant to another 3 months to the borrowers owing to the pandemic outbreak. However, some banks are not ready to allow NBFCs the benefit of 3-month moratorium.

As per sources, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Indian Bank were in favour of giving moratorium relief to NBFCs, while State Bank of India (SBI) had continued to stay on the other side of the discussion. 

However, RBI conveyed that NBFCs are covered under `borrowers' to be eligible for a moratorium; thus, giving them a chance to stay afloat during this crisis. This step by RBI can be the result of complaints by the NFBCs claiming they are being deprived of the moratorium. 

Along with this statement, RBI also said that banks can also use their discretion to decide the eligibility of firms based on their credit and liquidity profile.

Earlier, RBI had announced a moratorium on loan EMIs and credit card dues between the period of March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020.

Other Points Discussed in the Meeting

As per the official website of RBI, the meetings aimed to review the current economic situation and discuss crucial matters to ensure the proper functioning and stability of the banking sector of the country. 

The meeting touched upon various matters including review of the flow of credit to different sectors of the economy, "including liquidity to Non-Banking Financial Companies, Micro Finance Institutions, Housing Finance Companies, Mutual Funds, etc." They also discussed the post lockdown credit flows with a special focus on credit flows to MSMEs.

Apart from this, monitoring of overseas branches was also done since coronavirus is affecting the economies of all over the world. 

The lenders also highlighting the fact the relief by the government is not enough since 80% of their corporate borrowers are working in the red zones where hardly any relaxation is offered in terms of business revival.

For more such articles on the banking sector, keep reading BankingOnTips.