A PPF account can be opened either with a post office or an authorised bank. A subscriber can take a consolidated view of his accounts if he has a PPF account with a bank where he has his savings current accounts. You can shift a PPF account from the post office to the bank by following a simple procedure.

Identifying a branch

The subscriber can approach the desired bank branch to check whether it accepts PPF deposits. On identifying the branch, the subscriber needs to complete a format for application to transfer the PPF account to the bank.

Application

The application form must be submitted to the post office where the subscriber has the account. Details of the bank branch where the account is proposed to be transferred along with signature of the account holder are required. The application must be supported with the original passbook.

Process

Upon verification of the documents, the post office will close the account and pass on the account details, documents such as nomination form, a pay order of the amount standing to the credit of the account as on date of closure, to the proposed branch. Intimation is sent to the subscriber with cc to the bank informing about the request for transfer.

Account opening

It takes about a week to 10 days to transfer the account from the post office to the bank branch. Once intimation is received, the subscriber can go to the bank to carry out account opening formalities. A new passbook is issued carrying the past credits shown as balance transfer.

The PPF rules also allow transfer of PPF account from one post office to another post office or one bank to another authorised branch or bank.

On transfer, the PPF account is considered as a continuing account and not a new account.

The subscriber can now avail internet banking facility offered by the bank to manage his PPF account.