As the calendar flips to July 2025, two of India’s biggest private sector banks — HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank — are all set to roll out important changes in their transaction and service charges. These changes will directly affect how you use your credit card, ATMs, wallets, and digital payments.
If you bank with HDFC or ICICI, or regularly use their cards or apps, here’s everything you need to know so you don’t face unexpected charges in the coming days.
What’s Changing in HDFC Bank? (New Rules from July 1)
HDFC Bank has announced a revision in how charges are applied for credit card transactions, third-party wallets, and utility payments. Here’s a summary of what’s changing:
HDFC Credit Card Charges – Key Changes
| Transaction Type | New Charges from July 1, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Gaming app spending over ₹10,000/month | 1% additional charge (e.g., MPL, Dream11) |
| Wallet loading (Paytm, Mobikwik, Ola Money) | 1% charge on monthly loads above ₹10,000 |
| Fuel purchases above ₹15,000/month | 1% extra surcharge |
| Utility payments (above ₹50,000) | 1% processing fee on electricity, gas, etc. |
Tip: If you’re a heavy wallet or gaming app user, expect your credit card bill to increase from this month.
What Are the New ICICI Bank Transaction Charges?
ICICI Bank is also updating its fee structure — especially for ATM withdrawals, non-financial transactions, and IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) transfers.
ATM Withdrawal & Balance Check Fees
| Transaction Type | Earlier Fee | New Fee (from July 1, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| ATM withdrawal (after free limit) | ₹21 | ₹23 per transaction |
| Balance enquiry / Mini Statement | ₹0–5 | ₹8.50 per non-financial tx |
Free Transactions Limits:
- Metro cities: 3 free ATM transactions per month
- Non-metro cities: 5 free ATM transactions per month
Anything beyond this will attract the new ₹23 withdrawal fee.
IMPS Charges Based on Transaction Amount
| Amount Transferred | New IMPS Charges (per transaction) |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹1,000 | ₹2.50 |
| ₹1,001 to ₹1,00,000 | ₹5.00 |
| ₹1,00,001 to ₹5,00,000 | ₹15.00 |
Even emergency transfers will now carry a charge — make sure you factor this in before sending money.
Why Are These Changes Important for You?
- These charges will directly affect your monthly spending if you’re not cautious.
- Many users unknowingly exceed limits (especially on wallet loads or fuel payments), leading to hidden fees.
- With ATM fees going up, cash withdrawals from other banks will now cost more.
- The IMPS fee slab means larger emergency transfers won’t be free anymore.
How to Avoid Extra Charges? Quick Tips:
- 💳 Track your credit card spending across apps like Dream11, Paytm, etc.
- 🔁 Split wallet loads under ₹10,000 when possible.
- 🛑 Limit ATM use to your home bank and stay within the free transaction limit.
- 📱 Use UPI for small transfers to avoid IMPS fees wherever possible.
- 🔍 Review your bank SMS/email alerts for updated charges.
FAQs – What People Are Asking
Q. Will these charges apply to all HDFC or ICICI customers?
Yes, these are bank-wide policy changes, so most customers with credit cards or savings accounts will be affected.
Q. Are UPI payments also getting costlier?
No, these changes apply to credit card use, ATM, wallet loads, and IMPS, not UPI.
Q. What if I exceed ATM free limits?
You’ll be charged ₹23 per withdrawal after your monthly quota. Non-financial transactions like checking balance will cost ₹8.50 each.
Q. Do fuel and utility bills attract these charges only above a limit?
Yes. Fuel spends above ₹15,000 and utility bill payments over ₹50,000/month will incur a 1% fee.
Final Word: Review, Adjust, and Save
July 1st isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a turning point for how you bank with HDFC and ICICI. Small changes like avoiding wallet overloads or keeping your fuel spend in check can save you hundreds of rupees monthly.