New Banking Laws from November 1: Appoint up to 4 nominees for bank accounts

Following the demise of the account holder, a nominee acts as a custodian, facilitating a seamless transfer of funds. However, it's essential to note that a nominee is not the ultimate beneficiary but rather a person authorised to receive the account's custody from the bank. The nominee is then responsible for distributing the assets to the rightful heirs according to applicable succession laws, according to Amey Pathak, Partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas.

The amendment can ease the administrative load on banks while providing account holders with added peace of mind. “Allowing multiple nominees for bank accounts can help prevent a significant problem — the accumulation of unclaimed deposits,” said Pathak.

As of June 2025, the Reserve Bank of India reported unclaimed deposits of Rs 58,330 crore in public sector banks and Rs 8,673 crore in private sector banks.

By permitting multiple nominees, account holders can ensure that their funds are distributed according to their wishes, reducing the likelihood of deposits going unclaimed.

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Two nominations method

The amendment introduces two methods of multiple nominations — simultaneous and successive. By clearly identifying nominees and following these methods, account holders can reduce the risk of disputes among nominees, ensuring a smoother transfer of assets.

Simultaneous nomination

Simultaneous nomination allows account holders to appoint multiple nominees to share the account proceeds in the event of their death. According to Pathak, the distribution will be made on a proportionate basis, with each nominee receiving a specified percentage of the account's value.

For instance, if Mr P had Rs 10 lakh in his savings account and nominated his wife, son, and daughter as simultaneous nominees with a 40:30:30 split, the bank would distribute the funds accordingly upon his passing. His wife would receive Rs 4 lakh, while his son and daughter would each get Rs 3 lakh, after which the account would be closed.

Successive nomination

Successive nominations ensure that the primary nominee can be succeeded by a secondary nominee if they are unavailable, creating a clear, priority-based succession pathway. This change ensures that asset distribution continues smoothly even if the initial nominee is unable or unwilling to claim the assets. “This method also covers the exigency where a nominee dies before receiving the money,” Pathak said.

For instance, consider successive nominees A, B, and C. The bank will first attempt to pay the proceeds to A. If A is unavailable or unable to receive the funds, the bank will then pay B. If B is also unable to receive the proceeds, the funds will ultimately go to C.

By minimising the need for judicial interventions like probate, the amendment streamlines the succession process, Sharma said. This enables nominees to access funds more quickly, providing essential financial continuity for dependents or business operations, especially during urgent financial needs.

It must be noted that in the case of articles kept in bank lockers, only the successive nomination method can be followed.

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Multiple nominees? Ensure clarity to avoid disputes

According to Pathak, having multiple nominees may lead to disputes over proportion allocation, despite the amendment calling for explicit proportion specification. To avoid such conflicts, it's essential for account holders to maintain clear and detailed documentation regarding their nominees and proportion allocations.

“To minimise potential risks, depositors should verify that their nominations align with their will and other estate planning documents, ensuring an appropriate distribution of assets," Sharma said.