SBI launches third party transfer

State Bank of India has finally launched a much awaited feature for its online banking customers : third party transfer. Earlier users could transfer funds only among SBI group’s branches using OnlineSbi but now they’ll be able to transfer funds to any bank : ICICI , Bank of Baroda , PNB .. (you name it ) .. Now you can transfer funds to any branch of any bank that is participating in RBI’s NEFT network (some 32000 branches on the last count).

SBI will use RBI’s NEFT service for interbank transfers. There is no minimum amount limit for NEFT. The amount will be credited to the beneficiary within 3 hours in normal course of business. And if you want to transfer funds above INR 1 Lakh, you may use RTGS. With RTGS, the funds will be settled instantaniously .. As of now there is no service charge applicable for this service. Here’s some info on the service taken from SBI’s Online Banking FAQs:

  1. What is Inter Bank Transfer? Inter Bank Transfer is a special service that allows you to transfer funds electronically to accounts in other banks in India through:
    • NEFT – The acronym “NEFT” stands for National Electronic Funds Transfer. Funds are transferred to the credit account with the other participating Bank using RBI’s NEFT service. RBI acts as the service provider and transfers the credit to the other bank’s account.
    • RTGS -The acronym “RTGS” stands for Real Time Gross Settlement. The RTGS system facilitates transfer of funds from accounts in one bank to another on a “real time” and on “gross settlement” basis. The RTGS system is the fastest possible inter bank money transfer facility available through secure banking channels in India.
  2. What is the minimum / maximum amount for RTGS /NEFT transactions? 
    Type Minimum Maximum
    RTGS Rs. 1 Lakh No Limit
    NEFT No Limit No Limit
  3. When does the beneficiary get the credit for a RTGS payment? Under normal circumstances the beneficiary bank’s branch receives the funds in real time as soon as funds are transferred by the remitting bank.
  4. When does the beneficiary get the credit for a NEFT payment? The funds will be sent to the RBI within three hours of the transaction. The actual time taken to credit the beneficiary depends on the time taken by the beneficiary bank to process the payment.
  5. If an RTGS transaction is not credited to a beneficiary account, does the Remitter get back the money? Yes. If it is unable to credit the amount of the remittance to the account of the beneficiary for any reason, the beneficiary’s bank has to return the money to the remitting bank within 2 hours. Once this amount is received back by the remitting bank, the amount is credited to the Remitter’s account by the remitting bank branch.
  6. If an NEFT transaction is not credited to a beneficiary account, does the Remitter get back the money? Yes. If the money cannot be credited for any reason, the beneficiary’s bank has to return the money to the remitting bank . Once this amount is received back by the remitting bank, the amount is credited to the Remitter’s account by the remitting bank branch.
  7. At what time during the day /week is the RTGS & NEFT service is available?Presently, NEFT is settled in six batches at 09:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 12:00 P.M., 1:00 P.M., 3:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. hours on weekdays and 09:30 A.M., 10:30 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. hours on Saturdays in RBI. OnlineSBI sends the transaction requests upto 3:30 P.M. on weekdays and upto 11:30 A.M. on Saturdays.
    .
    RTGS transaction requests will be sent to RBI upto 2:30 PM. on weekdays and upto 11:30 AM on Saturdays.
  8. What is the mandatory information required to make an RTGS & NEFT payment? The Remitter has to provide the following details:
    • Amount to be remitted
    • Account number which is to be debited
    • Name of the beneficiary bank
    • Name of the beneficiary
    • Account number of the beneficiary
    • Remarks or description, if any
    • The IFSC code of the beneficiary branch
  9. How to find the IFSC code of the beneficiary branch? Based on simple search option- Location, Bank & Branch. The IFSC code will automatically be updated or if you know the IFSC code of the beneficiary bank, you can provide it directly.
  10. Do all bank branches in India provide RTGS & NEFT service? No. RTGS facility is enabled only in specific bank branches across India. You can view a list of these branches in the RBI website: www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/Bs_viewRTGS.aspx. NEFT is enabled only in specific bank branches across India. You can view a list of these branches in the RBI website: http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/neft.aspx.
  11. How do I go about using this service? 
    1. You should be an active Internet Banking user with transaction rights.
    2. Log on to www.onlinesbi.com by using your SBI Internet Banking ID and Password.
    3. Click on the ‘Manage Interbank Payee’ link in the ‘Profile’ tab.
    4. Select the ‘Add’ option and provide the Beneficiary Name, Beneficiary Account Number, Beneficiary Bank and transfer limit to register the Beneficiary.
    5. IFSC code of the Beneficiary’s bank can be keyed in by two ways:
      1. Click the IFSC Code option and a textbox is displayed where you can enter the 11 digit IFSC Code of the Beneficiary Bank.
      2. Click the Location option, the following are retrieved and displayed.
    6. Beneficiary Bank Name – Dropdown Menu
    7. Location – Dropdown Menu
    8. Branch – Dropdown Menu
    9. The confirm button will be enabled only after clicking the accept button in the terms and conditions window.
    10. After providing all the details, the beneficiary will be added. It will be shown whether the added beneficiary bank is RTGS or NEFT enabled.
    11. After adding the Beneficiary you will receive a high security password in your mobile number. This is done basically to double check your identity. Provide the password to authorize the Beneficiary After a Beneficiary is authorized you can start transferring funds.
    12. You can proceed to make payments by clicking the ‘Inter bank Transfer’ link in the ‘Payments/Transfers’ tab.
    13. According to the transaction type selected (RTGS/NEFT), the credit account details will be displayed depending on whether the branch is RTGS or NEFT enabled or both.
    14. Select the Beneficiary from the list of registered Beneficiaries.
    15. You can either confirm or cancel the transaction.

This move will further consolidate SBI’s position against ICICI. In my opinion, ICICI’s online banking service was their main benefit as customers could transfer money electronically to any branch .. Now SBI’s customers can have this feature too with no extra cost .. This competition is opening up new initiatives for the benefit of customers .. My verdict : The best just got better… !! Yay ..!

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