The times have changed. There is no need to visit the bank to know the balance in your account. Banks have introduced various methods that allow their customers to check up their bank balances. Some of them are internet banking, ATM, mobile banking, phone banking, SMS alerts, Balance on Missed call, Toll-free numbers, and many more. One of the easiest ways of ascertaining the bank balance is over the phone.

• There are no geographical restrictions for checking the bank balance over the phone. You can do it virtually from anywhere in the world.
• There are no time restrictions. The toll-free numbers and Missed Call services are available 24x7x365.
• As you do not have to visit your bank branch to confirm the bank balances, you end up saving time.
• It is a convenient mode of ascertaining the bank balance. This facility is available only if you register your mobile number with the bank. Therefore, there are no chances of a third person becoming aware of your bank balance.

Let us see how to check bank balances on the phone in some of the top banks in India.

State Bank of India

State Bank of India (SBI) offers an innovative facility known as SBI Quick - Missed Call Banking. It is a free service that enables SBI customers to know their account balances and obtain mini statements. They can give a missed call or send an SMS to a pre-defined mobile number from their registered mobile numbers.

This facility is available on Android, iOS, Windows, and Blackberry phones. The customer has to visit the respective App Store and download the SBI Quick app. It is also available in the pre-login section of SBI Anywhere.

• The best aspect of this app is that you do not have to remember keywords and mobile numbers
• Secondly, there is no need for an internet connection after installing SBI Quick. The communication happens through SMS or Missed call.

The facility requires a one-time registration feature.

• SMS 'REG Account Number' to 09223488888 from the registered mobile number for the respective account. You will receive a confirmation of the registration. On successful registration, you can proceed with your requests like Balance Enquiry, Mini Statement, and Cheque Book Request. Other requests include e-statement for the last six months, Education Loan and home loan interest certificate.
• Balance Enquiry - SMS 'BAL' to 09223766666 or give a missed call

ICICI Bank

Missed Call Service

ICICI Bank provides a Missed Call Service that enables you to check your account balance and the last three transactions in the account through an SMS.

Balance Check

• Give a missed call to 9594612612 from your registered mobile number
• SMS 'IBAL' to 9215676766 or 5676766 to get your balance

Last Three Transactions Enquiry

• Give a missed call to 9594613613
• SMS 'ITRAN' to 9215676766

The phone gets disconnected automatically. You will get an SMS alert on your mobile number registered with the bank.

HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank offers SMS banking as well as Toll-free mobile banking to enable customers to know their account balances and get mini statements. One can give cheque book requests and enquire cheque status.

Toll-Free Mobile Banking

• Account Balance: Call 1800-270-3333
• Mini Statement: Call 1800-270-3355
• Cheque Book: Call 1800-270-3366
• Account Statement: Call 1800-270-3377

SMS Banking

• Account Balance: SMS 'BAL' to 5676712
• Mini Statement: SMS 'TXN' to 5676712
• Cheque Status Enquiry: SMS '6-digit cheque number' to 5676712

Axis Bank

Missed Call Service

• Account Balance: Dial 1800-419-5959
• Mini statement: Dial 1800-419-6969
• Account Balance in Hindi: 1800-419-5858
• Mini statement in Hindi: 1800-419-6868

Punjab National Bank

Give a missed call to 1800-180-2223 (Toll-free number) or 0120-2303090 to get your account balance through SMS.

The prime requisite for availing these services is the registration of your mobile number with the bank. 

Here are the Balance Enquiry and Missed Call services offered by various other banks:

What is the pre-requisite to avail this facility of Bank Account Balance on Phone?

The customer should register his/her mobile number with the bank to avail this facility of the bank account balance on the phone.

Can I change my mobile number at any time?

Yes, there is no problem with changing your mobile number. However, you should ensure to inform your bank and register the new mobile number to continue availing these services.

Can I use the same mobile number for different bank accounts?

Yes, there is no bar/restriction on using the same mobile number for multiple banking accounts.

Can I get loan balance by using this facility?

As on date, banks provide this missed call or balance enquiry facility for savings, current, overdraft, and cash credit accounts.

Is there an alternative to the missed call or balance enquiry on phone facility?

Yes, you can install the mobile app of your bank. This app enables you to know the account balance at any time. However, you need an internet connection for this facility to work. It is not so in the case of a missed call or balance enquiry through SMS facility. It is also possible to check your account balance at an ATM. 

Is there any restriction on using this facility?

Some banks stipulate a maximum of five times per day, whereas most of the banks do not have any such stipulations.

Are there any fees or charges payable for using this facility?

This facility is provided free of cost by the banks. In the case of toll-free numbers, the customer does not incur phone charges, as well. However, in the case of sending regular SMS, the standard SMS charges apply.

Are the missed calls and balance enquiry facility push or pull alerts?

The missed call and balance enquiry facilities are 'pull' alerts. Push alerts are those where the bank sends you an SMS alert without you requesting for the same.

Is this facility a secure one?

Yes, the facility is a secured one. The bank responds to your missed call with an SMS containing your account number (masked) with the current clear balance available in it.

Can I use this facility from anywhere in India and abroad?

Yes, this facility is available for use without any geographical or time restrictions.