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This is a voluntary Code, which sets standards of
fair banking practices for member banks of Indian Banks'
Association to follow when they are dealing with individual
customers. It provides valuable guidance to you for
your day-to-day operations. The Code applies to:
-current, savings and all other deposit accounts
-pension, PPF accounts etc. operated as agents of RBI/Government
-collection and remittance services offered by the
banks
-loans and overdrafts
-foreign-exchange services
-card products
-third party products offered through our network.
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Contents Page :
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1.2 As a voluntary Code, it promotes competition and encourages
market forces to achieve higher operating
standards for the benefit of customers. In the Code,
'you' denotes the customer and 'we' the bank, the customer
deals with.
The standards of the Code are covered by the four key
commitments found in section 2.
Unless it says otherwise, all parts of this Code apply
to all the products and services listed above, whether
they are provided by branches across the counter, over
the phone, by post, through interactive electronic devices,
on the internet or by any other method.
Commitments outlined in this Code are applicable under
normal operating environment. In the event of force majeure,
we may not be able to fulfill the commitments under this
Code.
Key words which are shown in bold print in the Code are
defined in the Annexure at the end of the Code.
This Code comes into effect from 1st June 2004 unless
otherwise indicated.
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Our key commitments to you
We promise to:
a Act fairly and reasonably in all our dealings with you
by:
-meeting the commitments and standards in this Code, for
the products and services we offer, and in the procedures
and practices our staff follow
-making sure our products and services meet relevant laws
and regulations
-our dealings with you will rest on ethical principles
of integrity and transparency.
b Help you to understand how our financial products and
services work by:
-giving you information about them in plain Hindi and/or
English and/or the local language
-explaining their financial implications and
-helping you choose the one that meets your needs.
c Deal quickly and sympathetically with things that go
wrong by:
-correcting mistakes quickly
-handling your complaints quickly
-telling you how to take your complaint forward if you
are still not satisfied and
-reversing any bank charges that we apply due to our mistake.
d Publicise this Code, put it on our website and have copies
available for you on request.
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Helping you to choose products and services, which meet your needs
3.1 Before you become a customer, we will:
-give you clear information explaining the key features of the services and products
you tell us you are interested in
-give you information on any type of account facility which we offer and may
suit your needs
-tell you what information we need from you to prove your identity and address
and to comply with legal and regulatory requirements, and
-request for additional information about you and your family to build a database
but such information can be furnished by you only if you wish and we will not
compel you to give this information for opening your account.
3.2 We will tell you if we offer products and services in more than one way [for
example, through ATMs on the internet, over the phone, in branches and so on]
and tell you how to find out more about them.
3.3 Once you have chosen an account or service, we will tell you how it works.
3.4 When you open a single account or a joint account, we will give you information
on your rights and responsibilities.
3.5 We recommend that you avail nomination facility offered on all deposit accounts,
articles in safe custody and safe deposit vaults.
3.6 We will guide you how we will deal with deposits and other assets held with
us in the name of a deceased person in the absence of nomination.
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4.1 You can find out about our interest rates by:
-looking at the notices in our branches
-phoning our branches or help-lines
-looking on our website; or
-asking our designated staff.
4.2 When you become a customer, we will give you information
on the interest rates which apply to your accounts, and
when we will pay interest on your deposits or debit interest
on your loan accounts. We will also tell you our website
address, our help-line numbers and the other ways in which
you can find out about changes in the interest rates.
4.3 We will explain how we apply interest to your account.
Changes in interest rates
4.4 When we change the interest rates on our products,
we will update the information on our telephone help-line
and our website within three working days.
Interest on savings accounts
4.5 At the time of opening of the account, we will inform
you of the rate at which interest is paid on your savings
deposits [presently, it is regulated by Reserve Bank of
India], how it is calculated and its periodicity.
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5.1 When you become a customer, we will give you upfront
details of any charges applicable to the products chosen
by you.
5.2 You can also find out about our charges by:
-asking our staff at the branch where you have your account
-phoning our help-line or
-looking on our website.
5.3 If we increase any of these charges or introduce a
new charge, it will be notified at least one month before
the revised charges are levied / become due.
5.4 We will tell you the charge for any other service or
product before we provide that service or product, and
at any time you ask.
5.5 We will give you details of any charges we levy for
using ATMs.
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6.1 When you become a customer or accept
a product for the first time, we will give you the relevant
terms and conditions for the service you have asked us to
provide.
6.2 All written terms and conditions
will be fair and will set out your rights and responsibilities
clearly and in plain language. We will only use legal
or technical language where necessary.
Changes to Terms and Conditions
6.3 When you become a customer, we will tell you how we will
let you know / notify about changes to terms and conditions.
6.4 Normally, changes [other than interest
rates] will be made with prospective effect giving notice
of at least one month. If the changes are to your disadvantage,
you may close the account at any time up to two months
from the date of the notice without having to pay any extra
charges or interest for doing this.
6.5 Changes in the interest rates on our products [deposits
and advances] from time to time will be notified as per the bank's policy/practice.
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7.1 We will make sure that all advertising and promotional
material is clear, fair, reasonable and not misleading.
7.2 We will seek your specific consent for giving details
of your name and address to any third party, including other
entities in our group, for marketing purposes.
7.3 We would like to provide you with the entire range of
financial services products, some of which are our own products
while some others are the products of our group/associate/entities
or companies with whom we have tie-up arrangements. We will
however tell you about our associate / group entities or
companies having business tie-up arrangements with us and
if you so desire, direct their staff / agents for marketing
their products.
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Statements
8.1 To help you manage your account and check entries on
it, we will give you account statements at regular intervals
unless this is not appropriate for the type of account you
have [like an account where you have a passbook].
8.2 We will normally provide you with a statement periodically
as per our policy. You can ask us to provide you with account
statements more often than is normally available on your
type of account, but there may be a charge for this service.
8.3 You will also be able to see your last few transactions
on ATM or through your internet account wherever such facilities
are available with us.
8.4 We will also send you statement of accounts by e-mail,
if you so desire, provided we have such facility with us.
Clearing Cycle / Collection Services
8.5 We will tell you about the clearing cycle, including
when you can withdraw money after lodging collection instruments
and when you will start to earn interest.
8.6 We will give immediate credit to your account for outstation
cheques lodged by you and will allow you to draw against
such instrument[s] under collection as per prevailing RBI
guidelines. [Presently, instruments upto Rs.15,000/- tendered
by customers operating accounts satisfactorily.]
8.7 We will pay interest on funds involved if collection
is delayed beyond the normal period as stipulated by RBI.
Cash Transactions
8.8 You should count notes and ensure correctness before
leaving the cash counter.
8.9 Avoid writing anything on the face of the notes and co-operate
with us by
remitting notes in unstapled / unstitched conditions as required
under RBI's Clean Note Policy.
Direct debits and standing instructions
8.10 We will act upon mandates given by you for direct debits
[say ECS] and other standing instructions.
Cheques issued by you
8.11 We will keep original cheques paid from your account
or copies, for such periods as required by law.
8.12 If, within a reasonable period after the entry has been
made on your statement, there is a dispute about a cheque
paid from your account, we will give you the cheque or a
copy as evidence.
8.13 We will tell you how we will deal with unpaid cheques
and out-of-date [stale] cheques.
Accounts operated/services rendered as agents of Government
and RBI
[applicable only to banks authorized to handle the business]
8.14 While opening PPF / Pension Accounts or investing in
Relief / RBI Bonds, we will tell you about operational guidelines
for such accounts / transactions.
Foreign exchange services offered through authorized offices
8.15 We will provide you details of the service, exchange
rates and charges that apply to foreign exchange transactions,
which you are about to make. If this is not possible, we
will tell you how these will be worked out.
8.16 If you want to transfer money abroad, we will tell you
how to do this and will give you:
-a description of the services and how to use them
-details of when the money you have sent abroad should get
there and the reasons for possible delays
-the exchange rate applied when converting to the foreign
currency, and
-details of any commission or charges which you will have
to pay.
8.17 If money is transferred to your bank account from abroad,
we will tell you the original amount received and charges,
if any. If the sender has paid all charges, we will not deduct
charges when we pay the money into your account.
8.18 We will guide you about regulatory requirements or conditions
relating to foreign exchange services offered by us as and
when required by you.
Protecting your account
8.19 We will tell you what you can do to help protect your
accounts. You can find out more about what you can do to
help in section 11 of this Code.
8.20 In the event your cheque book, passbook or ATM/Debit
card has been lost or stolen, or that someone else knows
your PIN or other security information, we will, on your
notifying us, take immediate steps to try to prevent these
from being misused.
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9.1 We will only send you a card if you ask for one or to
replace a card you already have.
9.2 If you do not recognise a card transaction that appears
on your statement, we will provide you with more details.
In some cases, we will need you to give us confirmation or
evidence that you have not authorised a transaction.
9.3 We will give you your PIN [personal identification number]
separately from your card. We will not reveal your PIN to
anyone else.
9.4 We will tell you about our systems to allow you to choose
or change your PIN. This should make it easier for you to
remember the PIN of your choice.
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Confidentiality
10.1 We will treat all your personal information as private
and confidential [even when you are no longer a customer].
We will not reveal transaction details of your accounts to
a third party, including entities in our group, other than
in the following four exceptional cases when we are allowed
to do
-If we have to give the information by law
-If there is a duty towards the public to reveal the information
-If our interests require us to give the information [for
example, to prevent fraud) but we will not use this as a
reason for giving information about you or your accounts
[including your name and address] to anyone else, including
other companies in our group, for marketing purposes
-If you ask us to reveal the information, or if we have your
permission to provide such information to our group/ associate
/entities or companies when we have tie-up arrangements for
providing other financial service products.
10.2 Wherever we have installed CCTV for close surveillance
as part of security arrangements, the same will be indicated.
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This section is all about what you can do to help prevent
your accounts being misused.
Communication Link
11.1 Please make sure you let us know as soon as possible
when you change your:
-name
-address
-phone number or
-e-mail address [if this is how we communicate with you].
Checking your account
11.2 We recommend that you check your statement or passbook
or credit card statement regularly. If there is an entry,
which seems to be wrong, you should tell us as soon as possible
so that we can sort it out.
11.3 If we need to investigate a transaction on your account
you should co-operate with us and the police or any other
authority, if we need to involve them.
Taking care
11.4 Taking care of your cheques, passbook, cards, PINs and
other security information is essential to help prevent fraud
and protect your accounts. Please make sure that you follow
the advice given below:
-Do not keep your cheque book and cards together
-Do not keep the blank cheque leaves signed
-Do not allow anyone else to use your card, PIN, password
or other security information
-If you change your PIN you should choose your new PIN carefully
-Always learn your PIN, password and other security information,
and destroy the notice as soon as you receive it
-Never write down or record your PIN, password or other security
information
-Always take reasonable steps to keep your card safe in your
personal custody and your PIN, password and other security
information secret at all times
-Keep your card receipts safe and dispose them of carefully
-Never give your account details password or other security
information to anyone unless you know who they are and why
they need them
11.5 If you send a cheque through the post, it will help
to prevent fraud if you clearly write the name of the person
you are paying the cheque to. Write such cheques with carbon
on the reverse to avoid chemical alterations.
-if you are paying a cheque into a bank account, always write
on the cheque the name of the account holder [ABC Bank Account
- XYZ]. You should draw a line through unused space on the
cheque so unauthorized person cannot add extra numbers or
names.
Precautions while using internet banking facilities
11.6 Visit our internet banking site directly. Avoid accessing
the site through a link from another site and verify the
domain name displayed to avoid spoof websites.
11.7 Ignore any e-mail asking for your password or PIN.
11.8 We advise you not to use cyber cafés to access
our internet banking site.
11.9 We advise you to update your PC with latest anti-virus
software regularly. A suitable firewall installed in a computer
to protect your PC and its contents from outsiders on the
internet would be an added security measure.
What to do if you lose your chequebook, passbook, or card,
or if someone else knows your PIN
11.10 It is essential that you tell us as soon as you can
if you suspect or discover that:
-your cheque book, passbook, card has been lost or stolen
or
-someone else knows your PIN, password or other security
information.
11.11 The best way of telling us about the loss will usually
be by phone, using the numbers we have given you, or by e-mail
to the address we have given you for this purpose. Alternatively,
you may send a written communication to us immediately.
Canceling payments
11.12 If you want to cancel a payment or series of payments
you have authorised, you should do the following:
- To stop payment of a cheque or cancel standing instruction
given, you must tell us in writing
- To cancel a direct debit, you can either tell the originator
of the direct debit or tell us. We recommend you do both.
It may not be possible to cancel payments if you do not give
enough notice of your decision to cancel.
Liability for Losses
11.13 If you act fraudulently, you will be responsible for
all losses on your account. If you act without reasonable
care, and this causes losses, you may be responsible for
them. [This may apply if you do not follow section 11.4.]
11.14 Unless you have acted fraudulently or without reasonable
care, your liability for the misuse of your card will be
limited as indicated by us while issuing the card.
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12.1 Before we lend you any money or increase your overdraft,
credit card limit or other borrowing, we will assess whether
we feel you will be able to repay it.
12.2 If we offer you an overdraft, or an increase in your
existing overdraft limit, we will tell you if your overdraft
is repayable on demand or otherwise.
12.3 Wherever possible, reasons for rejection of loans will
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Complaints / Grievances and Feedback / Suggestions
Internal procedures
13.1 If you want to make a complaint, we will tell you how to do this
and what to do if you are not happy about the outcome. Our staff will
help you with any questions you have.
13.2 Within two weeks of receiving your complaint, we will send you a
written acknowledgement.
13.3 After examining the matter, we will send you our final or other
response within eight weeks and will tell you how to take your complaint
further if you are still not satisfied.
Banking Ombudsman Service and other avenues for redressal
13.4 Within 60 days of lodging a complaint with us, if you do not get
a satisfactory response from us and you wish to pursue other avenues
for redressal of grievances, you may approach Banking Ombudsman appointed
by Reserve Bank of India under Banking Ombudsman Scheme 2002. Details
of Banking Ombudsman are displayed in the branch notice boards. Our staff
would explain the procedure in this regard.
Feedback and Suggestions
13.5 Please provide feedback on our services. Your suggestions will help
us to improve our services.
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14.1 We have a 'Nodal Officer' to ensure compliance of the
Code. Our internal auditing procedures make sure we meet
the Code.
Standing Committee to Monitor the Code
14.2 A Standing Committee consisting of
a panel of three reputed persons with banking background
will monitor "Bankers'
Fair Practice Code". The Standing Committee will operate
from the office of Indian Banks' Association.
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15.1 If you have any enquiries about this Code, you may contact
the
Indian Banks' Association
Stadium House, Block II & III
Veer Nariman Road, Mumbai 400 020
Tel. No. 022-22844999 Fax : 022-22835638
Email: ibastadium@vsnl.net Website: www.iba.org.in or
State Bank of Mysore, P & S Bkg Dept.
Head Office, K G Road, Bangalore - 560 009.
Tel. No. 080-22352467
Email: cmpsb@sbm.co.in
15.2 We will have notices in all our branches and on websites
explaining that copies of the Code are available and how
you can get one and we will make copy available to you on
request
15.3 You can get a copy of this Code from the website of
Indian Banks' Association [www.iba.org.in]
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ANNEXURE
These definitions explain the meaning of words and terms used in the Code. They
are not precise legal or technical definitions. ATM
An automated teller machine [ATM] or freestanding machine,
which a customer can use their card in to get cash, information
and other services.
Card
A general term for any plastic card which a customer may
use to pay for goods and services or to withdraw cash. In
this Code, it includes debit, credit, or ATM cards.
Customer
A person who has an account [including a joint account with
another person or an account held as an executor or trustee,
but not including the accounts of sole traders, partnerships,
companies, clubs and societies] or who receives other services
from a financial institution.
Originator
A company [either a retail or service organization] which
collects payments from a customer's account in line with
the customer's instructions.
Other security information
A selection of personal facts and information [in an order
which only the customer knows], which is used for identification
when using accounts.
Out-of-date [stale] cheque
A cheque, which has not been paid because the date written
on the cheque is too old [normally older than six months].
Password
A word or an access Code which the customer has chosen, to
allow them to use a phone or internet banking service. It
is also used for identification.
PIN [personal identification number]
A confidential number, which allows customers to buy things,
withdraw cash and use other electronic services offered by
the bank.
Security
A word used to describe valuable items such as title deeds
to houses, share certificates, life policies and so on, which
represent assets used as support for a loan or other liability.
Unpaid Cheque
This is a cheque which, after being paid into the account
of the person it is written out to, is returned 'unpaid'
[bounced] by the financial institution whose customer
issued the cheque.
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Contact your nearest Branch of
State Bank of Mysore or
Chief Manager
State Bank of Mysore
Personal & Services Banking Department
H .O.: K.G.Road, Bangalore - 560009, INDIA
Phone: 91 80 22353901 to 22353909 ; 22353473.extn.380
91 80 22353467 Fax: 91 80 22283684
Email:cmpsb@sbm.co.in
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