Ask why the bank charged a fee
Make a first draft, then check it with a grown-up.
Request an itemised explanation, effective tariff and appropriate review of a specific bank charge.
Where it applies: India; the bank, product, requester authority and current instructions determine the process
A letter asking the bank to explain and review a specific charge against the applicable product terms.
Use it when a charge is unclear, appears duplicated or differs from the terms you were given.
Find the exact debit entry and the relevant product, tariff and date before describing the concern.
Gather your pieces
- Record the amount, date, description and product; distinguish bank fees from taxes or a merchant debit.
- Locate the tariff or agreement that applied on the relevant date and any notice of change.
- Do not assume every charge is unlawful or that every product has the same fee.
Your starting text
Replace each [bracketed label] with your own verified details. Open the editor to make it yours, then read it through before sending.
To: [Bank and handling office] Date: [Document date] From: [Account holder / authorised requester] Account/service reference: [Account or loan reference] Reply channel: [Reply channel] Subject: Request for explanation and review of an identified charge Dear Sir/Madam, Please explain the charge identified below and review the specific concern against the terms applicable to the product and date. CHARGE ENTRY [Charge entry] TERMS OR TARIFF AVAILABLE TO ME [Terms or tariff you have] CONCERN [Why the entry needs review] BACKGROUND [Relevant facts] REQUESTED ACTION [Requested action] Please provide the charge's description, calculation, applicable tariff or agreement reference and effective date. If the amount includes tax, a third-party charge or more than one component, please identify the components separately. Where an exemption, product condition, balance calculation or notice of a tariff change is relevant, please explain how it applies to this entry and identify the record used. I do not assume that a fee for another product or period is the correct comparison. If the entry was applied incorrectly or duplicated, please carry out the appropriate review and communicate the correction or adjustment reference. If the bank considers it correct, please provide a reasoned explanation addressing the concern stated above rather than a general description of all service charges. Please advise if a prescribed dispute form or additional supporting record is needed and provide the appropriate bank channel for it. This request does not authorise new fees or transactions unrelated to the identified service. Please acknowledge the request and reply through the verified contact channel so that the explanation can be kept with the original debit entry and product terms. Yours faithfully, [Account holder / authorised requester] Signature and capacity, if required: ____________________
Your next moves
- Compare the explanation with the relevant terms and actual entry.
- If unresolved, use the bank's grievance process with the original request and reply.
Real-world check
A fee-clarification request is not an automatic refund claim or a finding that the bank breached a rule. Current tariffs, exemptions, product terms and the reason for the charge matter. No refund amount or universal fee is supplied by this draft.
Sources & official links
- SBI · official customer-service commitments Authority route · Checked 6 Oct 2026
- SBI · 2026 depositor policy, a bank-specific example Legal background · Checked 6 Oct 2026