If you bank with Punjab National Bank, there’s a big update you shouldn’t miss: PNB has revised multiple service charges effective October 1, 2025, while also offering major relief on savings accounts by waiving minimum balance penalties from July 1, 2025. These changes affect locker rents, standing instruction failures, nomination updates, and stop-payment rules so a quick account review now can save fees later. “PNB New Rule Alert” headlines two moves customer-friendly waiver of minimum-balance penalties for savings accounts effective July 1, 2025, and revised non-credit service charges effective October 1, 2025. The charge updates cover locker rents, SI failure fees, nomination charges, and a clarified stop-payment slab, while the penalty waiver removes the stress of maintaining monthly average balance for savings users going forward.
The “PNB New Rule Alert: Punjab National Bank Issues Important Update for Customers Stay Informed & Cautious” matters because it directly impacts recurring banking costs like locker rent and auto-debits and removes penalties for not meeting minimum average balance in savings accounts from July 1, 2025. Locker rents are up across many categories, SI failure is now a flat monthly fee, and nomination changes are chargeable after the first request, while stop-payment charges are clarified for bulk instructions so planning balances and reviewing locker needs now is smart.
PNB New Rule Alert
| Area | What Changed | Effective Date | Who It Impacts | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savings MAB Penalty | Waived across savings accounts | July 1, 2025 | All savings customers | No penalty for not maintaining minimum average balance; past dues remain payable |
| Locker Rents | Increased in many sizes/locations | Oct 1, 2025 | Locker users | Higher annual rent; varies by size and branch location |
| SI Failure Fee | Flat ₹100 + GST per month | Oct 1, 2025 | Users with auto-debits | Applies whether one or multiple failures in a month; cap of 3 SIs for TL/RD etc. |
| Stop-Payment | Clarified slab for bulk cheques | Oct 1, 2025 | Cheque users | Per instrument ₹100; ₹500 if 5+ cheques stopped together |
| Nomination | First-time free; changes chargeable | Oct 1, 2025 | All customers | ₹100 per change; waiver if change due to nominee’s death |
What The MAB Waiver Really Means
From July 1, 2025, PNB does not charge any penalty if your savings account fails to meet the monthly average balance, covering new and existing accounts uniformly for future periods. However, any dues already levied before July 1 remain payable, and regular transaction fees (like transfers or card fees) still apply per schedule.
Locker Rent: Plan Your Size And Branch
PNB has revised locker rents, with higher annual charges across many sizes, especially in urban and metro branches, making it prudent to re-evaluate the size you actually need before renewal. One-time registration charges are also tiered: ₹200 in rural/semi-urban for all sizes, ₹500 for small/medium and ₹1,000 for large/very large/extra-large in urban/metro areas.
Standing Instruction Failures: How To Avoid The Flat Fee
Standing instruction (SI) failures due to insufficient funds will now trigger a flat ₹100 + GST per month from October 1, 2025, whether one or multiple SIs fail in that month, with a maximum of three SIs allowed for products like term loans or recurring deposits. The lesson is simple: maintain enough balance a day before due dates, especially if you depend on salary credits or cheque clearances to fund auto-debits.
Stop-Payment: Unchanged Per Instrument, Clarified Bulk Rule
The per-instrument stop-payment fee stays at ₹100, but PNB has clarified that if you issue a stop request for five or more cheques at once, a ₹500 charge applies plan batches to avoid higher slabs if possible. This clarity helps cheque users manage urgent stop requests without accidental slab jumps.
Nomination Updates: Do It, But Budget For Changes
First-time nomination whether for an account or a locker remains free, but every subsequent change costs ₹100 from October 1, 2025, with a waiver for changes necessitated by the nominee’s death upon submission of the death certificate. Keeping nominations updated is critical for smooth claims, so align updates with other branch visits or KYC refreshes.
KYC Reminders Worth Following
PNB has periodically nudged select customers to update KYC by deadlines under RBI-compliant cycles; affected customers are those due for KYC refresh as of the bank’s cut-off dates. KYC can be updated via branches, PNB One, internet banking, or registered email/post to the base branch avoid unofficial links to stay safe from phishing.
Action Checklist For Customers
- Confirm whether you need your current locker size; downsizing at renewal can offset the revised rent.
- Audit all active SIs; ensure cash flow covers due dates to prevent the monthly SI failure fee.
- Update or confirm nomination details now; expect a fee for subsequent changes unless due to nominee death.
- Enjoy the MAB penalty waiver from July 1, but remember past dues remain and other transaction fees still apply.
- If flagged for KYC, complete it digitally or at branch before the bank’s deadline to avoid restrictions.
“PNB New Rule Alert,” the primary intent is informational with immediate personal finance implications, such as how the October 1 charge changes impact lockers, SIs, and nominations, plus the July 1 MAB relief. Users comparing banks will note PNB’s inclusion-friendly stance on MAB alongside targeted revisions to operational charges that reflect industry-wide cost alignment.
How To Naturally Use The PNB New Rule Alert Information
To make the most of this PNB New Rule Alert, set calendar reminders a day before salary or expected credits, maintain a small buffer for SIs, and revisit locker size value against new rent levels. If you received a KYC prompt, finish it online via PNB One or internet banking to prevent any restrictions and keep records aligned for nomination updates when needed.
Why This Matters Now
Banks across the sector are tightening operational clarity and revising service fees, and PNB’s October update fits that trend while July’s MAB waiver stands out as a significant customer relief. Understanding the fine print today can help avoid recurring fees tomorrow and ensure smoother day-to-day banking.
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FAQs on PNB New Rule Alert
When do the new PNB charges take effect?
Locker, SI failure, nomination, and stop-payment clarifications apply from October 1, 2025; review your usage and plan balances before that date.
Does the minimum average balance penalty waiver apply to all savings accounts?
Yes, PNB has waived penal charges for non-maintenance of MAB across savings accounts effective July 1, 2025, though any previous dues remain payable.
What exactly is the new SI failure fee?
Instead of per-transaction charges, PNB will levy a flat ₹100 + GST per month for SI failures, with a maximum of three SIs permitted for products like TL and RD.
Are nomination changes always chargeable now?
First-time nomination is free; subsequent changes cost ₹100 per occasion, but there’s no charge if the change is due to the nominee’s death upon submission of the certificate.
