RBI asks bank not to turn away senior citizens from branches

Reserve Bank has said that banks should remain sensitive to requirements of senior citizens as well as differently-abled persons and should not turn them away from branches in order to promote digital transactions.

A set of instructions will be issued by the RBI by this month end. It has been reported that banks are discouraging or turning away senior citizens and differently-abled persons from availing banking facilities in branches.

“Notwithstanding the need to push digital transactions and use of ATMs, it is imperative to be sensitive to the requirements of senior citizens and differently-abled persons.

“It has been decided to instruct banks to put in place explicit mechanisms for meeting the needs of such persons so that they do not feel marginalised,” it said. Ombudsmen will also be advised to pay heed to complaints in this context, it said.