What will change, what won’t for account holders as 10 PSU banks are merged into 4

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Updated: Aug 30, 2019 19:28 IST

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday announced a slew of PSU bank mergers as part of consolidation efforts and said, “We want banks with strong national presence and enhanced risk appetite.”

The banks mergers announced by the Finance Minister are as follows:

* Indian Bank to be merged with Allahabad Bank.

* PNB, OBC and United Bank to be merged (PNB will be the anchor bank).

* Union Bank of India, Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank to be merged.

* Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank to be merged.

Read highlights here

The mergers are a continuance of the government’s attempt to consolidate the public sector banks. Last year, the government had approved the merger of Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda (BoB). In 2017, the State Bank of India absorbed five of its associates and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank.

Watch| Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces 4 mega bank mergers

So, what do the mergers mean for the bank customers? Here’s a look at what it means for the account holders:

What changes

1. New cheque book and debit/credit cards will be issued

2. Your account number and customer IDs, as well as the associated IFSC codes may change

3. As a result, you will have to update IFSC and other details with the income tax department, insurance providers etc

4. Fresh bank mandate will be needed for EMIs and systematic investment plan (SIP).

5. Fresh standing instructions for bill payments will have to be issued

6. Your bank branch may move closer or farther.

7. Bank stationery will change

8. Savings account interest rate may change.

What does not change

1. Fixed deposit rates will remain unchanged for now

2. If you are locked into a fixed deposit, you can continue till maturity on the same interest rate even if the deposit rates of the merged entity are higher or lower

3. Loan rates will remain unchanged.

4. In case of MCLR-based loans, the interest would be reset at the end of the reset period selected by the borrower.