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The Reserve Bank of India has asked banks to open a dedicated counter at branches for senior citizens and differently abled persons.
It has also told them to provide basic banking facilities at their door step and promptly update their systems on receipt of life certificate at any branch of the pension paying bank.
The RBI has asked banks to implement its instructions on providing “Banking Facility for Senior Citizens and Differently abled Persons” by December 31, 2017.
The central bank directive to banks in this regard comes in the backdrop of it coming across instances when banks discourage or turn away senior citizens and differently abled persons from availing their banking facilities in branches. Notwithstanding the need to push digital transactions and use of ATMs, it is imperative to be sensitive to their requirements, it added.
The RBI said banks are advised to provide a clearly identifiable dedicated counter or a counter which provides priority to senior citizens and people who are differently abled, including the visually impaired
In view of the difficulties faced by senior citizens of more than 70 years of age and differently abled or infirm persons (having medically certified chronic illness or disability) including those who are visually impaired, the RBI has advised banks to make concerted effort to provide basic banking facilities at the premises/ residence of such customers.
These door step facilities include pick up of cash and instruments against receipt, delivery of cash against withdrawal from account, delivery of demand drafts, submission of Know Your Customer (KYC) documents and life certificate.
Banks have been asked to ensure that when a life certificate is submitted in any branch, including a non-home branch, of the pension paying bank, the same is updated/ uploaded promptly in CBS (core banking system) by the receiving branch itself, to avoid any delay in credit of pension.
Banks have been advised to provide minimum 25 cheque leaves every year, if requested, in savings bank account, free of charge. They should not insist on physical presence of any customer, including senior citizens and differently abled persons for getting cheque books. Banks may also issue cheque books, on requisition, by any other mode as per the bank’s laid down policy.
The RBI said fully KYC-compliant account should automatically be converted into a ‘Senior Citizen Account’ based on the date of birth available in bank’s records.
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