A letter issued by HDFC Bank’s Naihati Branch in West Bengal has attracted attention after the bank asked a customer to voluntarily close her bank account. The letter, dated 15 July 2026, was addressed to Ms. Sujata Sarkar regarding her savings account maintained at the HDFC Bank, Naihati Branch.
Bank Says It Could Not Meet Customer’s Expectations
According to the letter, the bank referred to several interactions it had with the customer regarding the banking services provided. HDFC Bank stated that it appeared the bank had not been able to meet the customer’s expectations or provide the kind of services she was looking for.
The bank further said that after reviewing the matter, it believed that it might not be in a position to fulfil the customer’s specific service requirements, which it described as “very specific in nature.”
Customer Asked to Close Account Within 30 Days
In the letter, HDFC Bank requested the customer to voluntarily close her account within 30 days from the date of the letter. The bank also asked her to surrender all unused cheque leaves and the debit card issued with the account.
The bank stated that, considering the circumstances, closing the account would be appropriate for the mutual benefit of both the customer and the bank.
Bank May Close the Account If Customer Does Not Act
The letter also mentions that if the customer does not close the account within the specified 30-day period, the bank may close the account as per accepted banking practice. In such a case, the remaining balance in the account, if any, may be sent to the customer’s registered address.
Letter Signed by Branch Head
The communication has been signed by Abhijit Mondal, Branch Head of HDFC Bank’s Naihati Branch. The letter carries the official branch stamp and signature.
No Specific Reason Mentioned
The letter does not mention any specific complaint, fraud, misconduct, or violation by the customer. It only states that the bank was unable to meet the customer’s expectations and may not be able to satisfy her specific banking requirements. No further explanation has been provided in the letter regarding the exact reason for asking the customer to close the account.
Critics have raised questions over the incident, saying it is surprising that HDFC Bank, the country’s largest private sector bank, has stated that it is unable to meet the service requirements of a customer.
They argue that a bank of HDFC Bank’s size and resources is expected to handle different types of customer needs and provide satisfactory banking services.
Some believe that instead of asking the customer to close the account, the bank should have tried to resolve the issues through better customer support and grievance redressal. However, HDFC Bank has not publicly explained the specific reasons behind its decision, and the letter only mentions that the customer’s service requirements were “very specific in nature.”
