WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MEET YOUR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS??

In business everything works on commitment basis. However Many factors can cripple one's ability to keep to their financial commitments and obligations. We've covered various penalties that you can encounter for missing on these and also what steps you can take to reduce chances of attracting them or actions to follow if you land in the unfortunate situation.

 


Minimum Average Balance in Savings Account

Certain minimum balance has to be maintained in savings account and current account. It is usually expressed as minimum average balance for a month or quarter. This varies across banks and with locality. In large private banks minimum monthly average balance ranges from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 in urban areas, in smaller private banks and public sector banks it is between Rs 300 and Rs 1,000 as monthly or quarterly average. Accordingly charge for non-maintenance typically ranges from Rs 1,000 to Rs 100 a month or quarter.

Dishonored cheques

Cheques are a liability and you are expected to maintain sufficient balance in your account for it to be encashed by the payee (one encashing it). If a cheque is returned to your bank for lack of enough funds you will be charged an outward return cheque penalty, which is about Rs 300 now. Depending on type of account, number of defaults this charge could go higher.One of the things you can do to avoid penalty due to returned cheque is to request payee to issue a post dated cheque or request payee to delay depositing the cheque by a specified time not exceeding 3 months. In the meantime you can arrange for funds.

Missed EMIs

If you fail to service your debt obligations on time then it could lead to much trouble. This leads to penalty in more ways than one. Here again your bank would penalize you for dishonored cheques or ECS mandate.
The lender would not seize your home or vehicle the next month but usually they send a notice if EMIs are missed consecutively for 3 months. If this is ignored and EMIs are not paid for 6 months then the bank would declare the loan as a Non Performing Asset (NPA). NPAs are a bank's nightmare. They can auction the attached asset in such a case.Missing EMIs also mean that the loan tenure is extended so you might have to cough up additional interest.

Missed SIPs

Now the mutual fund cannot hold you down for missing SIP installments because you don't owe it to them. But your bank would penalize you for not maintaining sufficient funds for auto-debit mandate through ECS. Normally charges for insufficient balance in funds transfer are same as that in case of returned cheque.
To avoid this you can request you mutual fund to stop installments for a time and start them again when you are in a comfortable financial position. You need to do this at least 15 days in advance of the next installment date.

Lapsed insurance policy

Insurance policies that lapse for non-payment of premium are quite common. An insurance policy lapses if regular premiums are not paid. Usually a grace period of 15 to 30 days after due date is provided where a notice is served to pay premium with some interest. If this notice is ignored the policy lapses.
A lapsed life insurance policy means you lose life cover. In case of traditional policies and ULIPs that acquired paid-up value after 3 or 5 years, if policy lapses before that time the premiums you paid which goes for life cover and investment will be forfeited. The company pockets the money. Plus if tax rebates were claimed they will be forfeited unless 5 years have passed.
A lapsed policy can be revived by paying premiums along with interest. But if more than 6 months have lapsed then it might be considered a fresh contract and you might have to satisfy additional requirements.

CONCLUDING

Apart from the direct costs of not keep with your financial commitments you could get hit indirectly as well. For instance missed premiums can ruin your credit score and screw your future loan or credit card approval chances.Credit card is an arena we have not touched in this article. Being reckless with credit cards can be disastrous for your personal finance life.So be on your guard. If you are unable to stick to commitments for genuine reasons talk to the concerned people and try to earn a compromise. Better still have a contingency fund in place which will take care of all your expenses- EMIs, SIPs included- for at least 3 to 6 months.