6 Important types of Bank deposit customers

Types of Bank deposit customers

Banks open accounts for various types of customers like individuals, partnership firm, Trusts, companies, etc. While opening the accounts, the banker has to keep in mind the various legal aspects involved in opening and conducting those accounts, as also the practices followed in conducting those accounts. Normally, the banks have to deal with following types of deposit customers.

1. Individuals
2. Joint Hindu Families
3. Partnership Firms
4. Limited Liability Companies
5. Clubs and Associations
6. Trusts

1. Individuals

The depositor should be properly introduced to the bank and KYC norms are to be observed. Introduction is necessary in terms of banking practice and also for the purpose of protection under section 131 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. Usually, banks accept introductions from the existing customers, employee of the bank, a locally well-known person or another bank.

A joint account may be opened by two or more persons and the account opening form etc., should be signed by all the joint account holders. When a joint account is opened in the name of two persons, the account operations may done by

1. Either or survivor
2. Both jointly
3. Both jointly or by the survivor
4. Former or survivor

When the Joint account is in the names of more than two person, then the following operations are made:

1. all of them jointly or by survivors
2. any one of them or by more than one of them jointly

Non-resident individuals (NRIs)

Non-Resident Indian means, a person, being a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin residing outside India. A person is considered Indian Origin when he or his parents or any of his grand parents were Indian National. If at any time held an Indian passport, (nationals of Bangladesh and Pakistan are not deemed to be of Indian origin), a spouse (who is not a Bangladeshi or Pakistan national), of a person of Indian origin shall also be deemed to be of Indian origin. Non-resident falls generally into the following two categories:

1. A person who stay abroad for the purpose of employment or to carry on business activities or vocation or for any other purpose for an indefinite period of stay outside India and
2. Indian National working abroad for a specific period.

Facilities for maintaining bank accounts are available in India to Indian National or origin, living abroad. The exchange control procedures relating to these facilities have been simplified. The details of various deposit schemes available to NRI’s are as follows:

Various Types of NRI Accounts

• Ordinary Non-resident Rupee Accounts (NRO Accounts);
• Non-Resident (External) Rupee Accounts (NRE Accounts);
• Non-resident (Non-Repatriable) Rupee Deposits (NRNR Accounts); and
• Foreign Currency (Non-Resident) Accounts (Banks) Scheme (FCNR (B) Accounts).

While NRO and NRE accounts can be kept in the form of current, savings bank, recurring deposit or term deposit accounts, deposits under NRNR and FCNR (B) schemes can be kept only in the form of term deposits for periods ranging from six months to three years.

2. Joint Hindu Family (JHF):

Joint Hindu Family (JHF) (also known as Hindu Undivided family) is a legal entity and is unique for Hindus. It has perpetual succession like companies; but it does not require any registration. The head of JHF is the Karta and members of the family are called co-parceners. The JHF business is managed by Karta.

3. Partnership firms

A partnership is not a legal entity independent of partners. It is an association of persons. Registration of a partnership is not compulsory under Partnership Act. However, many banks insist on registration of a partnership. In any case, ie stamped partnership deed or Partnership letter should be taken when an account is opened for a partnership. The partnership deed will contain names of the partners, objective of the partnership, and other operational details, which should be taken note of by the bank in its dealings.

4. Joint stock companies (Limited Liability Companies)

A company is registered under companies Act has a legal status independent of that of the share-holders. A company is an artificial person which has perpetual existence with limited liability and common seal. Memorandum and Articles of Association, Certificate of Incorporation, Resolution passed by the Board to open account, name and designations of persons who will operate the account with details of restriction placed on them are the essentials documents required
to open an account.

5. Clubs, Societies and Associations

The clubs, societies, association etc., may be unregistered or registered. Account may be opened only if persons of high standing and reliability are in the managing committee or governing body. Copy of certificate of registration and Copy of bye-law, certified to be the latest, by the Secretary/President are required to be obtained and also a certified copy of the resolution of the Managing Committee/Governing body to open the bank account and giving details of office bearers etc., to operate the account.

6. Trust Account:

Trusts are created by the settler by executing a Trust Deed. A trust account can be opened only after obtaining and scrutinizing the trust deed. The Trust account has to be operated by all the trustees jointly unless provided otherwise in the trust deed. A trustee cannot delegate the powers to other Trustees except as provided for in the Trust Deed. A cheque favoring the Trust shall not be credited to the personal account of the Trustee.