Axis Bank is revising its savings and salary account charges from December 1, 2026, with a significant change to the penalty for not maintaining the required Average Monthly Balance (AMB). Under the revised structure, eligible customers will pay a monthly charge equal to 6% of their AMB shortfall, subject to a maximum of ₹600 across metro, urban, semi-urban and rural locations.
The change will particularly affect customers in semi-urban and rural areas, who currently benefit from lower maximum penalties. The bank is also revising cash transaction limits, cheque return fees and Total Relationship Value requirements for selected account categories. Some premium and NRI customers will also lose access to EDGE REWARDS points.
Key Takeaways
- Axis Bank’s revised charges will take effect on December 1, 2026.
- The AMB shortfall fee will remain 6% of the shortfall, but the maximum charge will become ₹600 across all locations.
- Semi-urban and rural customers will face higher maximum penalties.
- Free monthly cash transactions will fall from four to three for selected accounts.
- Outward cheque return charges will increase to ₹200 per return for specified account categories.
- Certain NRI account holders will see deliverable return charges rise from ₹50 to ₹500.
- EDGE REWARDS points will be discontinued for selected account categories.
What Is Changing in Axis Bank’s AMB Shortfall Fee?
Average Monthly Balance, or AMB, refers to the average amount a customer maintains in their savings account over a month. Banks set different balance requirements depending on the account type and location.
If a customer fails to maintain the prescribed balance, the bank can levy a non-maintenance charge.
Axis Bank currently calculates this fee at 6% of the shortfall. However, the maximum penalty differs according to the location of the account.
From December 1, the bank will remove these location-based differences for the applicable domestic and NRI Easy Access and equivalent accounts.
Existing vs revised AMB charges
| Account location | Existing maximum charge | Revised maximum charge |
|---|---|---|
| Metro | ₹600 | ₹600 |
| Urban | ₹600 | ₹600 |
| Semi-urban | ₹300 | ₹600 |
| Rural | ₹150 | ₹600 |
The calculation will continue to be 6% of the AMB shortfall, with no minimum penalty specified in the reported revised structure.
For example, if a customer has an AMB shortfall of ₹5,000, the charge at 6% would be ₹300. If the shortfall is ₹10,000, the calculated fee would be ₹600.
The maximum charge is therefore relevant when the calculated penalty reaches or exceeds ₹600.
The revised structure does not mean every Axis Bank customer will automatically pay ₹600. The actual fee depends on the shortfall, account category and applicable terms. The reported AMB penalty revision does not apply to salaried customers.
Why Semi-Urban and Rural Customers May Pay More
The biggest impact of the AMB revision will fall on customers maintaining eligible accounts in semi-urban and rural locations.
Previously, domestic customers in semi-urban branches faced a maximum charge of ₹300, while rural customers faced a maximum of ₹150. From December 1, both categories will have the same ₹600 ceiling as metro and urban customers.
For eligible NRI Easy Access and equivalent accounts, the maximum charge in semi-urban and rural locations will also increase from ₹300 to ₹600.
This removes the regional difference in the maximum penalty and could increase banking costs for customers who regularly fall short of their required balances.
Customers should check the AMB requirement associated with their particular account rather than assuming that every savings account has the same minimum balance requirement.
Free Cash Transaction Limit Reduced
Axis Bank is also reducing the number of free cash transactions available each month for selected savings account categories.
Currently, eligible domestic and NRI Easy Access and equivalent accounts, along with KRISHI and SAHAJ savings accounts, receive four free cash transactions or a total transaction value of ₹1 lakh, whichever limit is reached earlier.
From December 1, the free transaction limit will fall to three transactions or ₹1 lakh, whichever comes first.
| Particulars | Existing limit | Revised limit |
|---|---|---|
| Free cash transactions | 4 | 3 |
| Value-based limit | ₹1 lakh | ₹1 lakh |
Customers who frequently deposit or withdraw cash at branches should review their transaction habits. Once the applicable free limit is exhausted, the bank’s prescribed cash transaction charges may apply.
Cheque Return Charges Increased to ₹200
The bank is also revising outward cheque return charges for several domestic and NRI savings account categories.
Under the existing structure, the first outward cheque return attracts a charge of ₹50, while subsequent returns cost ₹100 each.
From December 1, the charge will become ₹200 per return for the specified account categories.
The revised fee applies to several account types, including Easy Access and equivalent accounts, Advantage, Arise Women’s, Sampann, Krishi, Sahaj, TASC, Prime, Liberty, Prestige, Priority and Burgundy.
For selected NRI premium accounts, Axis Bank is also increasing deliverable return charges.
| Charge | Existing fee | Revised fee |
|---|---|---|
| Outward cheque return | ₹50 for first return; ₹100 thereafter | ₹200 per return |
| NRI deliverable return | ₹50 | ₹500 |
The deliverable return charge increase applies to NRI Burgundy, Priority, Prestige and Prime accounts.
EDGE REWARDS Points to Be Discontinued for Select Accounts
Axis Bank will discontinue its EDGE REWARDS points programme for certain account categories from December 1.
The affected categories include:
- Burgundy
- Priority
- Prestige
- Prime NRI
- Easy NRI
Customers holding these accounts will no longer earn EDGE REWARDS points under the existing programme, as specified in the revised fee structure.
Customers who regularly use these rewards should review the applicable programme terms and any available information about their existing points before the change takes effect.
Total Relationship Value Requirement Increased to 100%
Another important change concerns the Total Relationship Value, or TRV, requirement for selected premium savings accounts.
TRV refers to the prescribed value of a customer’s overall relationship with the bank, based on eligible deposits and investments maintained with it.
For domestic and NRI Prime, Prestige, Priority, Sampann, Advantage, Arise Women’s and Burgundy accounts, the existing requirement is reported to be 75% of the prescribed TRV level.
From December 1, the requirement will increase to 100%.
This means customers in these categories will need to meet the full prescribed TRV requirement to satisfy the revised condition. Premium account holders should check their individual account terms and the bank’s updated schedule for the applicable value.
What Axis Bank Customers Should Do Before December 1
The changes cover several parts of everyday banking, but their impact will depend on the customer’s account category and usage.
Customers should take the following steps before the revised structure takes effect:
- Check the AMB requirement: Confirm the minimum average monthly balance applicable to the account.
- Review the account category: The revised fees do not apply identically to every savings or salary account.
- Plan cash transactions: Customers using branches frequently should account for the reduction in free transactions.
- Avoid cheque returns: Ensure sufficient funds and correct cheque details before issuing cheques.
- Review premium account benefits: Burgundy, Priority and other affected customers should check the EDGE REWARDS and TRV changes.
- Read the revised schedule: Confirm the applicable charges and taxes directly with Axis Bank.
The bank’s revised fees are exclusive of applicable taxes, including GST. Customers should therefore consider taxes when calculating the final cost of a chargeable service.
The Bigger Picture
Axis Bank’s December revision reflects a broader change in how banks structure fees for account maintenance and everyday services. Minimum balance penalties, cash transaction limits and cheque-related charges can influence the total cost of maintaining a bank account, particularly for customers who use branch services frequently.
The AMB change is especially relevant because it removes the lower maximum penalties previously available to eligible semi-urban and rural customers. Although the 6% calculation remains unchanged, the higher cap means some customers could pay more when they fail to maintain their required balance.
The changes also extend beyond basic savings accounts. Adjustments to premium account rewards and relationship-value requirements could influence how customers evaluate the benefits of maintaining particular banking relationships.
Looking Ahead
The revised fee structure is scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2026. Customers should check the bank’s official schedule of charges and account-specific terms before that date, especially if they maintain accounts in semi-urban or rural locations or use premium banking products.
The actual financial impact will depend on the account type, balance shortfall and frequency of chargeable transactions. Maintaining the required balance, monitoring account activity and understanding the revised terms can help customers avoid unexpected banking expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will Axis Bank’s revised AMB charges take effect?
The revised savings and salary account charges are scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2026.
2. What is the new Axis Bank AMB shortfall fee?
The fee will remain 6% of the shortfall from the prescribed Average Monthly Balance, subject to a maximum charge of ₹600 for eligible accounts across all locations.
3. Will rural Axis Bank customers pay higher AMB penalties?
Eligible rural domestic account holders will see their maximum AMB penalty increase from ₹150 to ₹600. The corresponding maximum for eligible semi-urban domestic accounts will rise from ₹300 to ₹600.
4. Does the revised AMB penalty apply to salary accounts?
The reported AMB non-maintenance penalty revision does not apply to salaried customers. Customers should confirm their account classification and applicable terms with the bank.
5. How many free cash transactions will Axis Bank allow from December?
For the specified account categories, the free monthly cash transaction limit will reduce from four to three transactions or ₹1 lakh, whichever comes first.
6. Will Axis Bank discontinue EDGE REWARDS for all customers?
No. The reported discontinuation applies to selected categories, including Burgundy, Priority, Prestige, Prime NRI and Easy NRI accounts.
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