SBI, PNB, ICICI Among Top Banks with Unclaimed Deposits: Here’s How to Reclaim Your Money

Unclaimed bank deposits across Indian banks have seen a significant increase in recent years, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) holding ₹74,580.25 crore in the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund as of March 31, 2025.  

This guide explains how individuals can track and reclaim their unclaimed funds from banks such as SBI, PNB, and ICICI. 

RBI’s DEA Fund Holds ₹74,580.25 Crore in Unclaimed Deposits 

As per the Ministry of Finance, unclaimed deposits in banks rose by 135.7% from ₹31,640.05 crore in 2021 to ₹74,580.25 crore by March 31, 2025. Funds become unclaimed when a savings or current account remains inoperative for 10 years or longer.  

These funds are then transferred to RBI's DEA Fund, launched in 2014 to manage such balances from commercial and co-operative banks across the country. 

Among all banks, the State Bank of India (SBI) tops the list with ₹18,669.91 crore in unclaimed funds, contributing 25.03% of the total DEA balance. Punjab National Bank (PNB) follows with ₹6,555.34 crore (8.79%) and ICICI Bank contributes ₹2,013.41 crore (2.70%). Other key contributors include Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, and Indian Bank. 

How to Claim Unclaimed Money from DEA Fund ?

Reclaiming funds from the DEA Fund involves a straightforward process. Visit any branch of your bank, provide a written request with necessary KYC documents like Aadhaar or voter ID, and submit relevant proof of account ownership. Once verified, the bank facilitates the refund. Importantly, RBI allows claims at any time as there is no deadline for recovery of such funds. Additionally, RBI organises awareness camps for public engagement. 

Read More: RBI Withdraws Proposal to Restrict Corporate Current Accounts! 

Reimbursements Made to Banks Between 2020 and 2025 

Between FY 2020–21 and FY 2024–25, a total of ₹10,403.08 crore has been reimbursed to banks by the DEA Fund. The highest reimbursement was made in FY 2022–23 at ₹4,211.69 crore, followed by ₹3,513.25 crore in FY 2023–24. These reimbursements help banks manage payouts when account holders claim their long-unused balances. 

Conclusion 

With ₹74,580.25 crore lying unclaimed, RBI’s DEA Fund offers a mechanism for individuals to retrieve dormant funds. Major banks like SBI, PNB, and ICICI account for a large share of these deposits. Account holders can reclaim their funds by following the verification process at their bank branch. 

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