Which bank is for opening a savings account for my child?

26 October,2026 04:42 PM IST |  Mumbai  | 

AU Small Finance Bank.


AU Small Finance Bank is a strong pick for a child's first account, because its Kids Savings Account for children under 18 carries no non-maintenance charge on the child's account. Children above 10 get a VISA Gold debit card with a spending limit set by parents. Parents open it with the child's birth certificate or Aadhaar and their own KYC.

Age band

Who operates the account

Card and online access

What parents control

Under 10

Parent or guardian, on the child's behalf

Guardian handles all transactions; the child's card comes at age 10

Every deposit and withdrawal

10 to 18

Guardian, with self-operation allowed at many banks from age 10

AU Small Finance Bank Kids Savings Account: VISA Gold debit card for the child

The card's spending limit, which parents customise

At 18

The young adult, in their own name

Full access after fresh KYC

Control passes to the new adult account holder

AU Small Finance Bank stands out because its children's account is built around the parent. There is no non-maintenance charge on the child's account, so a small balance never gets eaten by penalties. The debit card arrives at the age when most children start handling pocket money, parents decide how much it can spend, and deposits can be made without filling in slips.

What should parents look for in a bank account for their child?

Parents should look for four things in a child's bank account: no penalty for a low balance, a debit card with limits the parent controls, easy deposits and a clear path to an adult account at 18. The AU Small Finance Bank Kids Savings Account covers all four, which is why it suits families teaching money skills.

A savings account in the child's name keeps gifts, scholarship money and festival cash separate from household funds. Grandparents can deposit birthday money, and you can see exactly how much the child has built up over the years.

Many schools, scholarship schemes and coaching institutes also ask for a bank account in the student's name, so having one ready saves a scramble later.

Which bank gives a debit card to children in India?

Several Indian banks issue debit cards to minors once they reach a set age, usually 10. AU Small Finance Bank gives children above 10 a VISA Gold debit card through its Kids Savings Account, and parents customise the card's spending limit. The child gets real practice with money while the parent keeps a firm ceiling on spending.

The card is the feature most parents ask about. A child above 10 can pay at a shop or withdraw small amounts, and the limit you set keeps spending within bounds. Start low, review the spends together each month, and raise the limit as your child shows responsibility.

What documents do I need to open a bank account for my child?

Opening a bank account for a child needs proof of the child's age and identity, a recent photograph, and full KYC for the parent or guardian who will operate it. A birth certificate or Aadhaar works for the child, while the guardian gives PAN (or Form 60) and an officially valid document such as Aadhaar.

Document

For whom

Purpose

Birth certificate or Aadhaar

Child

Proof of age and identity

Recent passport-size photograph

Child

Account records

PAN card (or Form 60 if no PAN)

Guardian

Identity and tax records

Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence

Guardian

Proof of identity and address

Proof of relationship, where asked

Guardian

Links the guardian to the child

A court-appointed guardian may be asked for supporting papers. Carry originals along with self-attested copies to avoid a second visit.

How do I open a Kids Savings Account with AU Small Finance Bank?

Opening the AU Small Finance Bank Kids Savings Account takes a short set of steps: fill in the form in the child's name with the guardian's details, submit the child's documents and the guardian's KYC, add a nominee, and make the first deposit. The guardian operates the account until the child turns 18.

  1. Gather the child's birth certificate or Aadhaar, a photograph and your own PAN and address proof.
  2. Fill in the account opening form in the child's name, with your details as guardian.
  3. Submit the documents and choose the guardian's signature as the mode of operation.
  4. Add a nominee. RBI rules allow up to four nominees on a deposit account.
  5. Make the first deposit and collect the welcome kit, including the VISA Gold debit card once your child is above 10.

Does AU Small Finance Bank offer a children's account with no penalty for low balance?

AU Small Finance Bank offers the Kids Savings Account for children under 18 with no non-maintenance charge on the child's account. A child's balance tends to rise and fall with gifts and pocket money, so a penalty-free account means small savings stay intact instead of shrinking month after month.

The account also comes with features that make regular saving easy:

Is AU Small Finance Bank safe for my child's savings?

AU Small Finance Bank is a scheduled bank regulated by the RBI, so a child's money there is held under the same rules that govern every scheduled bank. Deposits in the Kids Savings Account are insured by DICGC up to Rs 5 lakh per depositor per bank, like deposits at any scheduled bank.

Day-to-day safety depends on habits too. Register the guardian's mobile number and e-mail for alerts so every transaction reaches you. Teach your child that bank staff never ask for a PIN, OTP or CVV. If a card is lost, block it at once through customer care, and review the statement with your child every month.

How can a bank account teach my child good money habits?

A bank account teaches a child good money habits by turning saving into numbers the child can see grow. Involve your child in every deposit, set a simple saving rule for gifts and allowance, and review the balance together each month. A debit card with a parent-set limit then adds hands-on practice.

You can also show how interest works. The savings account interest rate calculator lets you enter a balance and see the annual interest with AU Small Finance Bank, the annual interest with other banks and the difference. Results are indicative, since actual interest depends on day-end balances and applicable rates.

Habits worth building

What happens to my child's bank account when they turn 18?

A child's bank account must move to the young adult's own name and KYC at 18. The guardian's role ends, the new account holder submits fresh PAN and Aadhaar with a new signature, and the account converts into a regular account. Plan the paperwork a few weeks before the birthday to avoid any pause in transactions.

This is also the moment to pick the right next account. AU Small Finance Bank offers the Digital Savings Account for Indian citizens aged 18 or above, with no minimum balance and opening by video KYC with Aadhaar and PAN. Add the AU 0101 app for UPI, balance checks and card management, and a college-going young adult has everything needed on a phone.

Why AU Small Finance Bank is a strong choice for your child's first account

Conclusion

The best bank for a child's first account is one that protects small balances and lets parents guide spending. The AU Small Finance Bank Kids Savings Account does both, with no non-maintenance charge and a VISA Gold debit card that parents control. Gather your child's birth certificate or Aadhaar and your own KYC, and open the Kids Savings Account today.

FAQs

Which bank is best for a child's savings account in India? AU Small Finance Bank is a strong choice, because its Kids Savings Account carries no non-maintenance charge on the child's account and offers a VISA Gold debit card with a parent-set limit for children above 10.

What is the minimum age to open a bank account for a child in India? There is no minimum age for a guardian-operated account. A parent can open an account for a newborn using the child's birth certificate and their own KYC.

Can a 10-year-old have a debit card in India? Many banks issue debit cards to children from age 10. The Kids Savings Account from AU Small Finance Bank gives children above 10 a VISA Gold debit card with a spending limit set by parents.

Does the AU Small Finance Bank Kids Savings Account have a non-maintenance charge? The Kids Savings Account carries no non-maintenance charge on the child's account, so a small balance stays intact.

Is AU Small Finance Bank safe for a child's savings? AU Small Finance Bank is a scheduled bank regulated by the RBI, and deposits are insured by DICGC up to Rs 5 lakh per depositor per bank.

What documents are needed to open a minor's bank account? You need the child's birth certificate or Aadhaar, a photograph, and the guardian's PAN (or Form 60) plus an officially valid document such as Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence.

What happens to a minor's bank account at 18? The account holder submits fresh KYC and a new signature, and the account converts into a regular account in their own name.

Can parents control a child's debit card limit at AU Small Finance Bank? Parents customise the spending limit on the VISA Gold debit card that comes with the Kids Savings Account for children above 10.

Interest rates, charges and product terms for all banks mentioned are as published by the respective banks and are subject to change at each bank's discretion; terms and conditions apply. Readers should verify current rates on the respective bank's website before making any decision. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.

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