Bank is forcing me to pay some stupid charges?

Question

I have an saving bank account (A/c No:- xxxxxxxxxxx707 ) with bank Noida Sector 50 branch. I put a request to close my bank account through customer care as well as courier to bank branch (As branch was shifted far from my residence). Meanwhile bank start imposing penalty into my account instead of closing the account after my request to bank many times. Account balance is shown in negative (approx -1800 rs/-) because of purely penalty amount and bank deny to close the account before paying this penalty amount and they are continuously imposing penalty . 
I have following reasons for not to pay this amount:-
* I informed the bank through customer care to close the account. But bank denying this mode of information. Why?
* I was not informed before imposing penalty at me. I suppose customer should have been intimated before imposing any penalty so that he should take decision?
* This bank branch was shifted to some unknown place without informing to its customer so how would i know where to contact so i opted to go by customer care.

I want this account to be closed immediately but bank is frocing m to pay this amount.

Thanks
Vikas

Answer 1

Mr Vikas,

At the outset, let me clarify that this site is designed by a group of Senior Banking Professionals to assist Bank Customers at large to provide guidance for resolution of any query / complaint / grievance in respect of financial services.  This site does not belong to any Bank or a Regulator, which may please be noted.

As regards closing of account is concerned, you have to visit the branch in person for signing closure request, surrender of unused cheque book portion and ATM/Debit Card. If you do not know new location of the branch, you could find out that from net, customer care or ad released in the local newspaper. Normally, branches are displaying a banner at the old location giving full address of the new location. Under anywhere banking facility, you may tender all the above documents to a branch convenient to you against acknowledgement.

Further, levy of charges happen not because you requested for closure of account but for non-maintenance of ANB/AQB. While opening of the account, you are told to maintain AMB/AQB in the account to avoid levy of charges. This balance requirement is also mentioned on the account opening form when you fill up the form. As a matter of courtesy, some Banks inform their customers regularly about the balance maintained in the account. The shifting information is normally displayed outside the branch, on the notice board of the branch and a notice to that effect is released in the local newspaper.

As regards charges, you may visit the branch and convince senior officials about the circumstances under which you could not maintain the balance, resulting in levying of the charges. I trust branch officials would consider your request positively.

Regards

Deepak