Banks Collect Rs 7,100 Crore in Minimum Balance Penalties; Debit Card Fees Nearly Double
Banks in India collected nearly Rs 7,100 crore in financial year 2025-26 from minimum balance penalties, with private sector banks accounting for about 70% of this amount. Public sector banks have largely reduced or eliminated such charges. Additionally, debit card maintenance fees have nearly doubled over five years, rising from Rs 61 to Rs 115 per card on average in public sector banks. These fees cover costs related to card issuance, security, and transaction infrastructure. Overall, banking fees for services like debit cards and minimum balance maintenance have increased, especially among private lenders.
First-hand measurement across 10 sources
We measured how 10 outlets covered this story. Coverage leans balanced overall (Left 0%, Centre 60%, Right 40%). Overall sentiment is neutral (48/100). Lens Score 60/100.
Outlets measured: thehindu, news18, thetribune, swarajyamag, businessstandard, mint, economictimes, economictimes, and 2 more. See how each one headlined and framed the same story in the source comparison below.
AI Analysis
All 4 outlets scored close to centre on political lean. The real divergence here is in emphasis, not lean — compare the headlines below to see how each outlet chose to frame the same facts.
Sentiment was consistent across outlets (45–58/100), indicating broadly factual reporting rather than editorialising.
Coverage timeline
freepressjournal broke this story on 28 Jul, 02:37 pm. Other outlets followed.