7 Mistakes to avoid when opening a salary account

Starting a new job is always exciting. New people, new responsibilities, and of course, your first salary from your new company. Along with that comes a small but important task most of us tend to overlook - sharing your bank account details for your salary credit.

For many, this feels like a routine formality. You either go with whatever your HR team suggests or stick to the bank you have always had. But here’s the catch: this isn’t just about receiving your salary. The salary account you choose today will quickly become the centre of your financial life. From bill payments and UPI transfers to EMIs, shopping, and savings, everything flows through this account.

So, before you send those bank details, here’s a look at the common mistakes people make while choosing a salary account, and how you can avoid them.

Choosing a bank without checking account terms
 

Many people proceed with opening a salary account without properly checking what they are signing up for. It might be the bank your office uses or one your friends recommend. However, each account comes with its own rules - some charge fees for ATM withdrawals after a certain limit, while others may have hidden debit card costs or a minimum balance clause if your salary isn’t credited for a while.

What you should do

Take a few minutes to compare:

1. Minimum balance requirements (ideally zero)
2. Debit card fees
3. ATM withdrawal limits
4. Branch and ATM access
5. Service charges like SMS alerts, IMPS, and RTGS 
    

If you are exploring opening a zero-balance account online, remember to check transaction limits and hidden clauses. Many banks now offer zero-fee banking for salary accounts. The IDFC FIRST Bank Corporate Salary Account is one such option, offering unlimited free ATM withdrawals, zero charges on salary account services, and higher daily transaction limits.

Ignoring digital experience and customer service
 

In today’s world, where UPI payments, online shopping, and mobile banking are part of everyday life, a good digital banking experience matters. Sadly, many realise this only after they face issues with slow apps or unhelpful customer service.

What you should do
 

Before opening a salary account, check how the bank’s app performs on the Play Store or App Store. Look for UPI features, money transfers, and bill payment options. See what users are saying in reviews.

Pro tip: The IDFC FIRST Bank Mobile Banking App is one of the best-rated in India, giving you access to over 250 banking services. Whether it's tracking expenses, redeeming rewards, or managing investments, you can handle most tasks on your phone without needing to visit a branch.

Missing out on salary account-specific perks
 

Most people aren’t aware that salary accounts today come with a host of added benefits - cashback offers, OTT subscriptions, insurance, travel perks, and more. If you settle for a basic savings account or a generic salary account variant, you miss out.

What you should do
 

Check the perks offered with the account. Some, like IDFC FIRST Bank Corporate Salary Account, have two strong variants:

1. Platinum Plus: Zero fee banking, monthly interest credit, Times Prime, Swiggy One Lite, and Amazon Prime memberships.
2. Classic Plus: Zero fee banking, monthly interest credit, and Swiggy One Lite memberships.

Additionally, both variants include insurance cover, airport lounge access, trip protection, and exclusive brand discounts. When evaluating which salary account is best, it is helpful to choose one that offers both financial benefits and lifestyle perks.

Not linking the account to long-term money goals
 

Many young professionals treat their salary account like a cash drawer - money comes in, money goes out. But opening the right salary account can help you build better financial habits, like regular savings or expense tracking.

What you should do
 

Choose a salary account that offers:

1. Monthly interest credit
2. Expense tracking tools
3. Simple fund transfer and bill payment features

For instance, the IDFC FIRST Bank Corporate Salary Account offers monthly interest credits, unlike most banks that pay quarterly. This makes your savings grow faster and keeps you motivated to save.

Assuming you don’t have a choice in opening a salary account 
 

It’s a common myth that you must open your salary account with the bank your company suggests. In most organisations, you can submit your preferred account details if you inform HR early.

What you should do
 

Check with your HR team before your first salary credit. Most companies are flexible as long as you provide your account details in time.

Not understanding how to switch salary accounts later
 

If you are unhappy with your current salary account, you can switch, but it usually involves a few steps:

1. Notify your HR and payroll team
2. Open a new salary account
3. Update auto-debits and ECS mandates for EMIs and bills
4. Close or convert your old salary account 
    

Knowing the process in advance can help you switch smoothly if needed. If you are unsure about how to choose a zero-balance account, most banks, including IDFC FIRST Bank, now allow online applications with quick KYC verification, making it easier than ever to switch.

Skipping documentation and KYC checks during account opening
 

Errors in your paperwork, like incorrect name spelling, address mismatch, or outdated ID proof, can delay your salary or restrict account access.

What you should do
 

Before submitting your salary account opening application, double-check all personal details. Make sure your name matches your Aadhaar and PAN, your address is current, and your documents are valid.

Why the IDFC FIRST Bank Corporate Salary Account makes sense
 

It is worth noting how IDFC FIRST Bank Corporate Salary Account naturally addresses most of these concerns:

1. Zero fee banking: No hidden charges on IMPS, RTGS, ATM withdrawals, or SMS alerts.
2. Monthly interest credit: Earn interest monthly, not quarterly.
3. Top-rated app: Manage 250+ services through one of India’s highest-rated banking apps.
4. Perks and protection: Free memberships, insurance cover, travel benefits, lounge access.
5. Enhanced limits: ₹2 lakh daily ATM limit, ₹6 lakh POS limit.
6. Reward points: Earn up to 10X points on debit card spends. 
    

Other benefits also include:

1. Personal accident insurance coverage up to ₹50 lakhs and air accident cover of ₹1 crore
2. Lost card liability protection up to ₹6 lakhs and purchase protection up to ₹1 lakh
3. Complimentary domestic airport lounge access up to two times every quarter
4. VISA Platinum Debit Card with Platinum Plus variant and VISA Classic Debit Card with Classic Plus variant to ensure seamless payments across physical and online merchants
5. Recognised among the World’s Best Banks 2025 by Forbes in partnership with Statista

For those evaluating which salary account is best, it’s a practical, benefits-rich option.

Final thoughts
 

Your salary account isn’t just where your pay cheque arrives - it is a key tool for managing money, building good financial habits, and making the most of what you earn. Whether you’re opening your first salary account or switching from your old one, pick an account like the IDFC FIRST Bank Corporate Salary Account that ticks all those boxes.