What is a Dormant Account and How to Activate it

11 March 2025

You may have heard the term dormant account, but do you know what a dormant account is, what causes an account to become dormant and how to reactivate a dormant account? To better understand, check out the following information.

What is a Dormant Account?

A dormant account is a bank account that is inactive/no transaction activity within a certain period of time according to each bank's policy. This status means that the account is still recorded in the bank system, but cannot be used for transactions before the account is reactivated. Therefore, it is important to know what causes an account to become dormant and how to reactivate it so that it can still be used.

Causes of Dormant Accounts

There are several factors that can cause an account to become dormant, but the most common is due to the absence of transaction activity on the account for a certain period of time.

If the account is not used for transfers, payments, or withdrawals within a specified period of time, then its status can change to dormant or inactive. At Maybank, if there is no transaction on the Customer's account within 12 consecutive months since the last transaction, the Customer's account will automatically change its status from active to dormant. Provided that all accounts in his/her name are already in dormant status. However, if the Customer has more than one account at Maybank, where one of them is inactive, while the others are active, then the inactive account will not become dormant.

Impact of Dormant Accounts

Dormant accounts have several consequences that can be detrimental to the Customer, including:

• Additional Administration Fee

  Some banks charge additional fees for accounts that are inactive for a certain period of time. For example at Maybank, the dormant account fee for Maybank Tabungan U/U iB is IDR 50,000/month, which will be debited automatically from the remaining balance in the account. For more information, please see this page Maybank Savings Rates & Fees

• Cannot be Used for Transactions

  Customers cannot perform financial transactions such as transfers, payments, cash withdrawals, or other transactions before the account is reactivated. This also means that the customer will have difficulty accessing the funds or balance in the account if it still exists.

• Potential Account Closure by the Bank

  If the account remains unused for a longer period of time, the bank may close the account automatically.

Tips to Prevent Accounts from Becoming Dormant

To avoid your account becoming dormant, here are some tips that can be applied:

• Do Transactions Periodically

  Make sure to make transactions at least once a month, be it transfers, payments, or cash withdrawals.

• Use the Account Actively

  Utilise the account for various needs, such as paying bills, receiving salaries, or saving regularly.

• Set Reminders for Transactions

  If you have more than one account, set a reminder to use each account regularly.

• Use the Auto Debit Feature

  Dengan mengaktifkan auto debet untuk pembayaran tagihan atau investasi rutin, rekening akan tetap aktif.

• Check Bank Policy

  Each bank has different rules regarding dormant accounts, make sure you know and follow the applicable rules so that the account remains active.

How to reactivate a dormant account

If your account has become dormant, there are several steps you can take to reactivate it:

• Visit the Branch Office

  Customers can come directly to the nearest bank branch by bringing their identity and passbook (if any) for the activation process. If you are a Maybank customer, you can visit the nearest Maybank branch office. For information on the location of Maybank branch offices, see here.

• Contact Customer Service

  If you cannot come directly to the branch, you can contact the bank's Customer Service to get account activation guidance. Maybank customers can contact Maybank Customer Care at 1500611 or +622178869811 (from overseas).

• Digital Account Activation

  Customers can also activate dormant accounts through mobile banking. Maybank customers who want to reactivate their dormant account can do so easily through M2U ID App (mobile banking). Here's how you can follow:

Activation of Dormant Account with Data Update:

Aktivasi Rekening Dormant dengan Pengkinian Data:

1. Login ke M2U ID App
2. The M2U ID App will display the customer's Savings account dashboard.
3. Select the Dormant Account you wish to activate
4. Click ‘Activation’
5. On the screen will appear Pop Up Notification of Customer data update. Click ‘Do Now’ to continue
6. Click the ‘Yes, I will update my data’ option and select the data category that you want/need to update.
7. Complete your employment data, then click ‘Continue’
8. Check the details of the information provided. If it is correct, click ‘Confirm’
9. Enter your Secure2u passcode
10. Click ‘FINISH’ to continue the dormant account activation process.
11. Your account is successfully activated

Complete information regarding the terms of dormant account at Maybank can be seen here

If you have a dormant account at Maybank, immediately activate your dormant account through the M2U ID App and enjoy the ease of transactions and get various attractive offers offered.