How To File Claims From Banks- Here is How

By Aftab Ahmed • February 23, 2026

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced that all banks and development finance institutions (DFIs) have transferred their unclaimed deposits to the central bank as of December 31, 2024.

This initiative allows individuals to reclaim dormant accounts, forgotten balances, and unclaimed financial instruments that have remained inactive for years.

Unclaimed deposits typically consist of accounts with no transactions over an extended period or financial instruments such as pay orders, demand drafts, and fixed deposits that were never collected. With millions of rupees lying idle, the SBP urges account holders and their legal heirs to verify if they have any money waiting to be claimed.

How to Check for Unclaimed Deposits

Visit the official State Bank of Pakistan website or the dedicated unclaimed deposits page of your bank.
Select the relevant year for unclaimed deposits.
Choose the specific bank or DFI.
An Excel sheet will appear showing details including branch name, province, account holder’s name, CNIC or passport number, address, and the amount.
Use the search function (Ctrl+F) to find your name or details quickly.

Steps to File a Refund Claim

To claim money already handed over to the SBP by banks or DFIs, account holders or their legal heirs should:

Visit the Bank: Go to the branch where the account was originally opened or where the financial instrument was payable. If that branch is closed, visit the nearest branch of the same bank. In cases of bank mergers or acquisitions, contact the acquiring bank’s nearest branch. Information on mergers is available on the SBP website.
Submit Your Claim: Provide a signed application detailing the account or instrument along with a valid CNIC or passport copy.
If the Account Holder is Deceased: Submit a succession certificate issued by a competent court or an indemnity bond on Rs. 100/- non-judicial stamp paper signed by all legal heirs, along with CNIC copies of heirs and the death certificate. This applies if the deceased account holds less than Rs. 100,000.
Processing: The branch manager will forward the claim and supporting documents to the relevant department.
SBP Verification and Refund: After verification, the SBP will approve and transfer the amount back to the bank, which will then credit the claimant’s account.

This process ensures that millions of Pakistanis can recover long-forgotten funds in a secure and official manner. The SBP encourages everyone to check and claim any unclaimed deposits to which they may be entitled.