While Chennai-based Indian Overseas Bank opened 419 new bank accounts, the State Bank of India opened 508 accounts, RBI officer P M Rajagopal, who is overseeing the banking activities in Nagapattinam, said.
The Indian Bank has opened over 300 bank accounts. "Total deposits in the newly-opened bank accounts would be about Rs 722 lakh," he said.
Rajagopal said banks have been asked to offer hassle-free services to the tsunami victims and encourage them to deposit the relief money cheques in these accounts.
The government, which has announced a relief amount of Rs 1 lakh in case of death, is distributing the money in the form of cheques. Some banks like Indian Bank have also relaxed the minimum balance amount requirement in the accounts.
"The cheques itself can form the initial deposit," he said. "The bank officials have been asked to be present during the distribution of relief cheques to the victims. We are happy with the way the banks have responded to the situation," the RBI official said.