Has bank supplied any intimation to you seeking your instructions?
You may invoke the provisions specified by Indian Bank’s Association in clause K vide which banks have to seek instructions by sending intimation to customer.
However you should take some witnesses with you to the bank and force BM to look into the files and declare that no communication was sent. Banks have to be astute and perfect in record keeping, therefore can’t claim that copy of the letter was lying somewhere else and now we have find it and letter was sent by ordinary post {banks are known to do it}. It shall be appropriate to record {audio/visual. Mobile comes handy}. Customer can demand to be given bank manual in branch. CCTV footage can be demanded.
In a certain case customer went to bank with members of locality and community and placed phone call to RM of the Union Bank of India and all witnesses were effective hence RM had to send an official at once to the branch and the official made a note that certain documents are not in the bank as claimed by BM and hence matter became on record. Customer and witnesses signed on minutes on the post and obtained acknowledgement from BM and official sent by RM. Later they stated to RM that they shall invoke if RM does not reply to complaint and enclose report and findings by official sent by RM, and all members of the locality and community shall start pulling out of the bank in writing with a copy to Chairman of the bank and other authorities as deemed fit an they may approach media as well.
RM bowed and obliged and the customer obtained relief.
RBI has issued guidelines to approach a/c holders of unclaimed deposits.
Has bank approached you?
https://www.iba.org.in/model_depositpolicy.asp
Model Deposit Policy
One of the important functions of the Bank is to accept deposits from the public for the purpose of lending. In fact, depositors are the major stakeholders of the Banking System. The depositors and their interests form the key area of the regulatory framework for banking in India and this has been enshrined in the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The Reserve Bank of India is empowered to issue directives / advices on interest rates on deposits and other aspects regarding conduct of deposit accounts from time to time.
The document recognises the rights of depositors and aims at dissemination of information with regard to various aspects of acceptance of deposits from the members of the public, conduct and operations of various deposits accounts,
Account Opening and Operation of Deposit Accounts
K) The term deposit account holders at the time of placing their deposits can give instructions with regard to closure of deposit account or renewal of deposit for further period on the date of maturity. In absence of such mandate, the Bank will seek instructions from the depositor/s as to the disposal of the deposit by sending an intimation before 15 days of the maturity date of term deposit.
RENEWAL OF OVERDUE TERM DEPOSITS
i) When a term deposit is renewed on maturity, on renewed deposit interest rate for the period specified by the depositor as applicable on the date of maturity would be applied. If request for renewal is received after the date of maturity, such overdue deposits will be renewed with effect from the date of maturity at interest rate applicable as on the due date, provided such request is received within 14 days from the date of maturity. In respect of overdue deposits renewed after 14 days from the date of maturity, interest for the overdue period will be paid at the rates decided by the Bank from time to time. .
https://rbi.org.in/scriptts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=7260&Mode=0
Please refer to paragraphs 102 and 103 of the Monetary Policy Statement for the year 2012-13, announced on April 17, 2012 proposing certain measures for strengthening the Regulatory Framework for Unclaimed Deposits.
1. Despite the above instructions, banks have not been pro-active in tracing customers linked with unclaimed deposits/inoperative accounts.
2. On a review, with a view to further strengthen the regulatory framework for inoperative accounts and unclaimed deposits, banks are advised to put in place a Board approved policy on classification of unclaimed deposits; grievance redressal mechanism for quick resolution of complaints; record keeping; and periodic review of such accounts.
https://rbi.org.in/scriptts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=6994&Mode=0
Please refer to our Circular DBOD.No.Leg.BC.34/09.07.005/2008-09 dated August 22, 2008, wherein detailed instructions have been given to banks on dealing with unclaimed deposits / inoperative accounts. They have been advised to find the whereabouts of the customers and their legal heirs.
2. Keeping in view public interest, it has been decided that banks should, in addition to the instructions contained in the above mentioned circular, play a more pro-active role in finding the whereabouts of the accountholders of unclaimed deposits/ inoperative accounts.
4. Banks should complete action as above by June 30, 2012 and keep their websites updated at regular intervals.
Banks are under Code of Bank’s committement to customers.
“https://www.bcsbi.org.in/PrincipalCodes.html
ceo.bcsbi@rbi.org.in
; Website: www.bcsbi.org.in
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2.1.6 To Publicise The Code We Will:
a. provide you with a copy of the Code, on request, over the counter or by electronic communication or mail
b. provide you ( new customer) with a copy of the Code when you open your account
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As the Code is a large document, portions applicable to the product opted for may be given to the customer
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The full text of the Code must be given to the customer as he may avail of different products / services offered by the bank and he must be made aware of all his rights.
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https://www.bcsbi.org.in/PrincipalCodes_12Feb2011.html
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“All banks have a Record Maintenance Policy. Sometime a customer raises an issue pertaining to a period for which even the records have been destroyed as per prescribed time norms. Despite best efforts, in the absence of record, grievance of complainant remains unresolved.
We suggest that there should be a limitation period within which the complainant may be allowed to raise issues.”
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Please see Para 8.18 of the Code of Bank’s Commitment to Customers.
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https://rbi.org.in/scriptts/BS_ViewMasCirculardetails.aspx?id=6513#l46
5.8.7 Renewal of Overdue deposits
All aspects concerning renewal of overdue deposits may be decided by individual banks subject to their Board laying down a transparent policy in this regard and the customers being notified of the terms and conditions of renewal including interest rates, at the time of acceptance of deposit. The policy should be non-discretionary and non-discriminatory.
You have to find the loop holes and arrange evidence/witness.