Can my bank charge excessive fees?

Bank charges must be as per RBI guidelines and your account terms. Excessive or unauthorized charges can be disputed through the bank's grievance cell, then RBI Banking Ombudsman.

Banks cannot charge fees arbitrarily — all charges must comply with RBI guidelines and must be disclosed in the account terms and conditions. Common disputes include: excessive ATM charges, unexpected account maintenance fees, hidden loan processing fees, unauthorized debit, and penalty charges. If you find excessive or unauthorized charges: first raise a complaint with the bank's customer service, then escalate to the bank's internal grievance cell, and if not resolved within 30 days, file a complaint with the RBI Banking Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in. The Banking Ombudsman can order refund of charges plus compensation up to ₹20 lakhs. You can also file a consumer complaint. Always check your bank statements regularly and question any unfamiliar charges immediately.

• RBI Master Direction on Customer Service in Banks
• RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021