SBP to introduce changes in savings accounts

ISLAMABAD: Keeping large sums of money in your savings account might no longer be as rewarding as it once was, thanks to some crucial changes that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) made recently to regulate profits from savings accounts.

The central bank had also launched the new ‘Invest Pak’ scheme, but it failed to generate much interest among investors. So they decided to tweak their policy to make sure that their efforts weren’t going to waste.

In this regard, the State Bank issued a notification to banks and customers regarding its decision to revise the rules that govern the profit generated on savings accounts.

Now banks will no longer have to offer a guaranteed minimum profit rate for those savings accounts where the balance exceeds Rs10 million.

Additionally, the State Bank has approved large investors to invest in government securities via the Invest Pak Digital platform. Therefore, big investors are now free to bypass banks and buy government securities.

Experts believe that this step will lower the cost of funds to banks, which would then boost profits. “We foresee an exodus of certain large depositors out of savings accounts at banks into the stock market and other avenues of investments,” they said.

“Therefore, investors have greater prospect of enjoying more rewarding return by lending directly to the government through the Invest Pak platform.”

But what does it all mean for you if you’re just an ordinary salaried man? If you’re keeping less than Rs10 million in your savings account, then don’t worry because none of the above changes affect you.

The minimum profit requirement shall still be valid for a savings account balance that is kept below Rs10 million, as per the notification.