KOZHIKODE: In a first-ofits- kind initiative, the Kozhikode District Cooperative Bank (KDCB) will be issuing exclusive RuPay ATM cards for student account holders. Aimed at attracting younger generation to KDCB, the savings bank account scheme of KDCB for minors is awaiting the final nod from the National Payments Commission of India (NPCI).
In the first phase, KDCB’s plan is to encourage high school and higher secondary schools of the district to open savings bank account for minors within a year. The scheme will be implemented with the support of the Education Department, and the account will be linked to the Aadhaar number. KDCB has also designed a colourful Student RuPay card, which is entirely different from the bank’s debit card.
According to KDCB general manager Abdul Mujeeb, currently majority of the customers who are availing of the facilities of KDCB belongs to the older generation. “KDCB’s Student Rupay card scheme not only aims to attract youth to the bank but also to impart knowledge on new banking technologies to them. We are expecting the final approval from the NPCI at the end of this month,” the general manager said.
Further explaining, Abdul Mujeeb said: “RBI norms allow any person who is above the age of 10 years to open a savings bank account. However, KDCB is the first banking institution, perhaps in the country, to design a special scheme in a bid to encourage the students to do banking of their own.”
As per the scheme, any boy or girl of 10 years of age can open a savings bank account with any of the branches of KDCB in the individual’s name by depositing a minimum amount of Rs 100. Though there is no need for the parent or guardian for joining in, the minor will have to get his specimen signature attested by the parent.
The savings bank account of minors will have facilities like internet banking, debit card and ATM in addition to cheque book facility. However, the minor has to ensure a continuous minimum balance of Rs 500 to avail of the cheque book facility. Moreover, the cheque issued from a minor account will bear a prescription indicating the same and it would be valid only for a maximum amount of Rs 5,000.
According to the KDCB general manager, besides students, the scheme would be beneficial to parents as well as the educational institutions.