PNB Has ₹6,555 Crore in Unclaimed Deposits: Here’s How to Reclaim Your Money

Unclaimed bank deposits in India have risen sharply 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.

Among public sector banks, Punjab National Bank (PNB) accounts for a significant portion of these dormant funds.

As per official data, PNB has unclaimed deposits amounting to ₹6,555.34 crore, representing 8.79% of the total balance lying with the DEA Fund.

These funds typically originate from savings or current accounts that have remained inoperative for 10 years or more.

Why Do PNB Deposits Become Unclaimed?

A bank account is classified as unclaimed when there has been no customer-initiated transaction for a continuous period of 10 years. 

Once this threshold is crossed, the balance is transferred from the bank to the RBI-managed DEA Fund.

Common reasons for deposits becoming unclaimed include:

• Account holders relocating or losing track of older accounts
• Lack of nomination details
• Death of the account holder without heirs being aware of the account
• Outdated contact information with the bank

How Much Unclaimed Money Does PNB Hold?

Punjab National Bank is the second-largest contributor to the DEA Fund after the State Bank of India. 

As of March 31, 2025, PNB’s unclaimed deposits stand at ₹6,555.34 crore, making it one of the key banks where individuals may still have dormant balances waiting to be claimed.

How to Reclaim Your Unclaimed Money from PNB

Reclaiming unclaimed deposits from PNB is a straightforward process and can be initiated at any time, as the RBI has not prescribed a deadline for claims.

Steps to claim unclaimed deposits from PNB:

1. Visit the nearest PNB branch where the account was maintained
2. Submit a written claim request
3. Provide valid KYC documents such as Aadhaar, voter ID, or passport
4. Furnish proof of account ownership or legal heirship, as applicable
5. Upon verification, the bank processes the claim and refunds the amount

Once the claim is approved, PNB coordinates with the RBI to release the funds from the DEA Fund back to the claimant.

RBI’s Role in Refunds

The RBI reimburses banks from the DEA Fund when valid claims are settled. Between FY 2020–21 and FY 2024–25, over ₹10,400 crore has been reimbursed to banks to facilitate such payouts.

This mechanism ensures that customers of banks like PNB can recover their long-unused deposits without financial loss.

Read More: SBI Has ₹18,669 Crore in Unclaimed Deposits - Here’s How You Can Reclaim Your Money.

Conclusion

With over ₹6,555 crore in unclaimed deposits, Punjab National Bank represents a substantial share of dormant banking funds in India. Account holders, nominees, and legal heirs are encouraged to check for forgotten accounts and initiate claims through the prescribed verification process. 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.