Author
LoansJagat Team
Read Time
5 Min
22 Jul 2025
Ravi, a first-year engineering student in Chennai, just opened his Rainbow Savings Account with Karur Vysya Bank (KVB). He thought he had everything in place: an ATM card, mobile banking, and even a small fixed deposit that linked directly to his account. But one morning, a bookstore declined his card. When he checked, he found out that his account required a minimum balance of ₹3,000, but he had only ₹2,000. The bank silently deducted a non-maintenance charge of ₹112.
“Tumse na ho payega,” his roommate teased, implying, “You can’t handle this.” Ravi realised that banks aren’t just about saving money, they’re about understanding the rules too. One of the most basic rules is the minimum balance requirement.
In simple words, the minimum balance is the least amount of money that must be kept in your bank account to avoid extra charges.
Let’s look at an example:
Example:
Rani has a Regular Savings Account with Karur Vysya Bank. The bank says she must always keep at least ₹1,000 in it. One day, her balance falls to ₹600 and stays there for a month. That means her account is below the required limit, and she will be charged a penalty.
Different savings accounts in KVB come with different balance rules. Some accounts need no money to be kept (zero balance), while others may need up to ₹1,00,000.
Example: Maya, a working woman in Coimbatore, chose the Prestige Savings Account. Since she deals with high transactions, the bank asks her to keep ₹1,00,000 in her account. If she fails to do so, she will face charges.
As the great Shah Rukh Khan once said in Chak De India, “Har team mein sirf ek hi gunda ho sakta hai.” Similarly, for each person, only one account type fits best based on usage. Choose wisely.
Banks will not remind you every day to keep your balance above the required limit. If you don’t maintain it, a fine is quietly deducted.
Example:
Ajay, a college student, forgot that his Freedom Savings Account required a ₹5,000 average balance. His average was only ₹3,000 that month. He had to pay a non-maintenance fee of ₹112 + GST.
Note: Penalties may change. Please check the latest info from Karur Vysya Bank’s official sources or visit a branch.
The term Monthly Average Balance (MAB) means the average money kept in your account during a month.
Example:
Sunita has ₹2,000 on Day 1, ₹4,000 on Day 15, and ₹6,000 on Day 30. Her monthly average = (₹2,000 + ₹4,000 + ₹6,000) / 3 = ₹4,000. If her account required ₹5,000, she would have to pay a charge.
Don’t want your money to be taken as a penalty? Simple steps can save you.
Example:
Imran, a sales executive, set a reminder every 25th to check his balance. This helped him avoid falling below ₹5,000 in his Shakthi Savings Account.
Famous line from 3 Idiots: “Kaamyab hone ke liye nahi, kaabil banne ke liye padho.” Here, you don’t just save to avoid fines, but to build good money habits.
Karur Vysya Bank offers many savings account options, each suited for a different kind of customer – from kids and students to working professionals and HNIs. While some accounts come with zero balance freedom, others require a minimum monthly average balance of ₹1,000, ₹5,000, or even ₹1,00,000.
Failing to keep the right balance will result in non-maintenance charges, often unnoticed. Regular checking, mobile alerts, and smart banking habits can save you from losing money.
Remember, "It's not about having money, it's about managing it," as any Bollywood hero would agree.
Q1: What happens if I don't maintain the minimum balance in KVB?
A non-maintenance charge (around ₹112–₹225) is deducted from your account.
Q2: Which KVB account allows a zero balance?
Jumbo Kids, Student Savings, Smart Savings, Basic Savings, and Yuvashakti SB accounts have zero balance rules.
Q3: How can I check my monthly average balance?
Use the KVB mobile app, net banking, or send an SMS: KVBBAL to 9244770000.
Q4: Which account has the highest minimum balance requirement?
The Prestige Savings Account requires a ₹1,00,000 monthly average balance.
Q5: How can I switch to a zero-balance account in KVB?
Visit your branch or apply online for accounts like the Basic Savings or Student Account.
Q6: Are non-maintenance charges the same across India?
No, charges may vary based on account type and region. Always confirm with your home branch.
About the Author
LoansJagat Team
We are a team of writers, editors, and proofreaders with 15+ years of experience in the finance field. We are your personal finance gurus! But, we will explain everything in simplified language. Our aim is to make personal and business finance easier for you. While we help you upgrade your financial knowledge, why don't you read some of our blogs?
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