Kolkata, Aug 11 (PTI) A civil society organisation advocating banking stakeholders’ interests has written to the Finance Ministry, requesting its intervention into ICICI Bank’s decision to raise the minimum average balance (MAB) requirement for new savings accounts, and said such a move is detrimental to the government’s vision of inclusive banking and growth.

In a letter to the finance secretary, 'Bank Bachao Desh Bachao Manch' termed the private lender's decision as "unjust and regressive".

The bank has raised the minimum balance requirement for new savings accounts opened on or after August 1 by five times to Rs 50,000.

The minimum monthly average balance (MAB) for savings bank accounts till July 31, 2025 for ICICI Bank customers was Rs 10,000.

Similarly, MAB for semi-urban locations and rural locations have been increased five times to Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively, according to information available on the ICICI Bank website.

“This retrograde decision undermines the principle of inclusive banking,” the forum’s joint conveners, Biswaranjan Ray and Soumya Datta, claimed.

The civil society organisation called for the immediate withdrawal of the decision, and appealed to the government to protect depositors' interests and ensure broader financial inclusion.

Traditionally, public sector banks have lower balance requirements compared to private lenders with the requirement waived for Jan Dhan accounts.

Several public sector banks have done away with the requirement, and customers who fail to maintain the minimum prescribed balance do not need to pay a penalty. PTI BSM BDC

Minimum average balance hike undermines financial inclusion; advocates seek government intervention to protect depositors and access to banking. A civil society forum challenged a private bank's increase in the minimum average balance for new savings accounts and urged the finance ministry to intervene to protect depositors and preserve financial inclusion, noting the hike is regressive and contrasts with lower balance requirements and penalty waivers commonly found in the public banking sector.