Difference Between Current Account and Savings Account

We are all acquainted with banking terms, as we encounter them almost daily, especially after digitalization. Savings Account is one such account, that we all have. We use this account to save our money for the long term and earn a fixed rate of interest. On the other hand, there is a current account that corporates open with the purpose of performing frequent transactions.

Now, you must be wondering – Why do we need to open a current account to perform transactions, when we can perform them with a savings account also?

Well, with a savings account there is a limitation that you can perform only a few withdrawal transactions in a month.

Suppose your banker allows you to perform a maximum of 4 withdrawals in a month. In such a situation, if your limit is over, then you have to pay an extra sum to perform the transaction in the name of the fee. While in the case of the current account, there is no such ceiling on the maximum number of withdrawal transactions.

This post talks about the difference between savings account and current account.

Content: Current Account Vs Saving Account

1. Comparison Chart
2. What is a Current Account?
   • Features
3. What is Savings Account?
   • Features
4. Key Differences
5. Video
6. Similarities
7. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for Difference	Saving Account	Current Account
Meaning	Savings Account refers to a demand deposit account that an individual can open with a bank to manage their savings.	Current Account implies a transaction account that a firm can open with a bank to manage its business transactions.
Opened by	Individuals who would like to save money.	Business persons who perform regular and frequent business transactions.
Number of withdrawals	Limited number of withdrawals are allowed in a month. After the limit is over, the customer is charged a certain fee for every additional transaction.	No limit on the number of withdrawals.
Overdraft facility	Not Available	Available
Objective	To encourage savings and build emergency funds for the future.	To enable regular and frequent business transactions.
Payment of interest	Up to 3-4%	No interest is paid
Ideal for	An individual who gets a regular income like salaried people. Also, people who have any short-term goal to fulfil can also choose this account.	Those who perform frequent money transactions such as businessmen, firms, partnerships, public enterprises, etc.
Required Balance	Low minimum balance is required	High minimum balance is required

What is a Current Account?

A current account offers easy access to your funds, as it allows seamless business transactions. It is a demand deposit account facility that banks provide to those who require liquid balance i.e. business persons, cooperative bodies, institutions or companies. Customers can opt for the facility of debit cards and cheque book to perform transactions.

It is primarily designed to facilitate transaction settlement by way of cheques. And that is why it is also known as a Checking Account.

The bank account allows them to perform frequent transactions in connection to their business. The transactions include deposits, withdrawals, bill payments etc. on a daily basis. Hence, a current account holder can perform unlimited per-day transactions.

At present, the banks also offer various innovative investment avenues for deposits. These deposit accounts not only offer a better rate of interest but also provide a withdrawable facility.

Features of Current Account

• Firms, Limited Liability Partnerships, Companies, Sole Proprietorships, etc. can open this account.
• There are no restrictions on the number of transactions that can be performed. It allows unlimited deposits or withdrawals.
• Because it provides high liquidity to the account holder, it is a non-interest-bearing account.
• The account can be overdrawn, as it provides an overdraft facility.
• The holder has to maintain a higher minimum balance.
• To open a current account the customer needs to furnish KYC documents.
• The holder is required to maintain a pre-determined amount as a minimum balance. Now you guys must be thinking – what happens when a person fails to maintain a minimum balance in his account? Well in such a case, they have to pay a sum as a penalty. The customer does not need to pay the amount of the penalty separately. This is because the amount is deducted directly from the respective account.
• Because there is no fixed tenure, one can maintain the account for years.

What is Savings Account?

A savings account allows the holder to deposit and withdraw money at their convenience and earn interest on it. It is meant to provide a saving vehicle for individuals who would like to deposit their temporary surplus and achieve long-term goals, but at the same time enjoy liquidity. Further, a person can maintain a savings account for as long as the holder requires.

Hence, a savings account allows you to park your extra funds with the bank. In this way, an individual will keep their funds safe. It develops a quality of thrift among people, to use their money wisely and carefully.

It provides small but constant passive income in the form of interest. But the rate of interest paid on the savings account deposits is lower in comparison to time deposits. Time Deposits can be Fixed deposits and Recurring Deposits.

Features of Savings Account

• Generally, it provides an interest rate of up to 1-4%. Banks pay interest on the available balance in the account. The interest rate in a savings account is variable. The banks calculate interest on deposits on a monthly basis. However, banks credit the interest to the account on a quarterly basis.
• One can open an individual or joint savings account.
• Most banks need to maintain a minimum balance in his/her account to keep them operational. Non-maintenance of minimum balance in the account will be subject to penalty.
• Customers can opt for the facility of debit card in their account, upon the opening of the account. With this, they can avail the online banking services for performing transactions online and also get easy access to cash via ATMs. Further, they can also avail cheque facility which also provides easy access to money.
• There is a limit on the amount one can withdraw from a savings account in a day. And also there is a limit on the total withdrawals in a month. This means that if a person’s withdrawals are more than the limit prescribed, then he/she has to pay a definite sum as a penalty.
• The account holder would require to quote the reasons for cash deposit and withdrawal beyond the maximum daily limit.

Video: Savings Vs Current Account

Similarities

• Both fall under the category of deposit products.
• They are Demand Deposits – those deposits which the holder or depositor can withdraw at any time and for which there is no need of prior notice.
• Account opening requirements of both are the same.
• The minimum balance requirement in both cases varies from bank to bank.

Conclusion

By far, we have understood that savings account and current account serves different purposes and address different financial needs of the holder. You can choose either of the two depending on your needs, goals, and preferences.