In metropolitan regions, ICICI Bank has increased the minimum savings account balance from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000.

With effect from August 1, 2025, ICICI Bank has announced a significant rise in the minimum average balance (MAB) requirements for its savings accounts. Customers in metro, urban, semi-urban, and rural branches are impacted by this increase, which puts ICICI’s new MAB above all other domestic banks in India.

A significant increase from the previous requirement of Rs 10,000, the redesigned structure requires savings account customers in metro and metropolitan regions to maintain a minimum average balance of Rs 50,000. Customers of semi-urban branches must now save an average of Rs 25,000 instead of Rs 5,000. The MAB for rural branches is now Rs 10,000 instead of Rs 2,500.

This is the strictest minimum balance requirement among domestic banks. The majority of banks retain far lower criteria, usually between Rs 2,000 and Rs 10,000, to control operating expenses, while the nation’s biggest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), completely eliminated the minimum balance restriction in 2020.

In contrast, HDFC Bank, which recently merged with mortgage lender HDFC to become the largest private sector lender by assets, needs Rs 10,000 for metro and urban branches, Rs 5,000 for semi-urban branches, and Rs 2,500 for rural branches. In order to pay their daily operating costs and investments, banks have minimum balance requirements. Customers who fall below the stated level are liable to penalty fees.

Customers of ICICI Bank will be penalized in accordance with the amended charge schedule if they are unable to maintain the revised minimum balance starting on August 1. In order to prevent fees, the bank has recommended account holders to verify compliance and check their balances.