Think about it—getting your bank statement and discovering a sneaky penalty taking away part of your hard-earned money. This is what Punjab National Bank (PNB) consumers are being alerted to. From October 1, 2025, maintenance of lockers, payments, and other things are going to make a big change in the banking sector. Don’t allow the unexpected to hit your finances—let’s break down the most recent changes with sharp perspectives to keep you ahead.
Penalty-Free Banking Bliss
PNB’s financial inclusion initiative is really something. The bank made a bold move by getting rid of all penalties for not maintaining minimum average balance in savings accounts back in July 2025. As a result, no more penalization for dropping from the thresholds in main accounts. The special ones like Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts or PMJDY continue to be free of charge. Customers applaud this move, as it makes their lives a little easier. However, be careful of indirect costs cropping up in other places. The government is pushing for this change, which is part of India’s campaign to make banking cheap, hence the account activity is going up all over the country.
Locker Lockdown Higher Rents Ahead
Keep your treasures safe but prepare to pay more. Starting from October 1 PNB has increased locker rents at all branches and for all sizes. Annual charges for small lockers in the countryside now reflect the increase in operational costs. People in cities will bear the biggest increases for medium and large sizes. Registration fees for one-time payments remain at Rs 200 for rural areas, but in big cities, the charge for a locker can go up to Rs 1,000. The reason for the increased prices? Banks are pointing to inflation and upgrading the security system. If you are using a locker, it might be wise to take a look at your current size; resizing could mean savings of hundreds every year.
| Locker Size | Location Type | Old Annual Rent (Rs) | New Annual Rent (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Rural | 500 | 600 |
| Small | Metro | 1,200 | 1,500 |
| Medium | Urban | 1,800 | 2,200 |
| Large | Semi-Urban | 2,500 | 3,000 |
The table shows the most important locker price increases; specific information about your nearest branch may vary. A good piece of advice is to go for digital insurance since it will be cheaper than physical storage if the items you want to insure don’t have a great value.
Cash Transactions Capped For Safety
The handy cash is now limited. PNB’s 2025 ruling places a limit on third-party payments made at non-home branches: Rs 50,000 paid daily for savings accounts, Rs 1,00,000 for current accounts. Customers are required to receive SMS alerts and to unlock their accounts to be able to give mobile numbers. It is designed to combat fraud, and at the same time, it forces a move to digital transactions. Heavy cash users, either set up your routes or go mobile. If not, your transactions will stop; you will be risking your whole operation in case of an emergency.
Service Fees Tweaked Stop Payments And More
Apart from the lockers, the stop payment for an instrument fee stays at Rs 100 after the first free. Standing instruction failures will now attract a Rs 200 fee, an increase from previous rates. The first nomination update will be free, after which Rs 100 will be charged—death cases with proof are the only exception. These changes are for efficiency in operations but are a small setback for the occasional user. If you are a bulk payer, it is wise to consolidate instructions to avoid incurring multiple charges.
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