For many Ghanaians, opening a savings account once felt like a luxury reserved for the well off, requiring too much paperwork and too much money just to get started. That story is changing. Today, depending on the bank, customers can begin saving with as little as zero cedis, or at the higher end, as much as one thousand cedis. A review of account requirements across 22 banks shows that most now set their initial deposit between 20 and 50 cedis, with similarly low minimum balances. This signals a shift toward broader financial inclusion, as banks compete to make saving easier for the average Ghanaian. The trend reflects growing recognition that small savers today could become significant customers tomorrow. At one end of the scale sits Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), offering multiple savings products with no deposit requirement and no minimum balance. The bank’s Easy Savers Account and GTCrea8 Student Account both operate on a zero balance model, removing traditional entry barriers entirely. Close behind are Access Bank with 50 cedis to open and zero minimum balance, First Atlantic Bank at 20 cedis initial deposit, First National Bank requiring 40 cedis to open and 20 cedis minimum balance, and United Bank for Africa asking 20 cedis for both opening and maintaining an account. These lower thresholds keep entry points well within reach for low income earners, young people, and first time savers. Fidelity Bank’s SMART Account requires just 20 cedis to open with a five cedi minimum operating balance, demonstrating how competitive pressure has driven down requirements across the sector. The account offers unlimited monthly withdrawals with a maximum daily limit of 10,000 cedis and no monthly service charge. The middle ground accommodates most banks. Absa Bank, CAL Bank, Fidelity Bank, Stanbic Bank, Prudential Bank, and Universal Merchant Bank each ask for 50 cedis to open and 50 cedis to maintain an account. Others including Ecobank with 50 cedis to open and 30 cedis minimum balance, OmniBSIC at 50 cedis opening and 20 cedis minimum, and Consolidated Bank requiring 50 cedis to open with 20 cedis minimum balance also make it relatively easy to join the system while encouraging small saving discipline. Banks positioning themselves toward more traditional or higher value customers set requirements accordingly. GCB Bank requires 100 cedis to open with a 50 cedi minimum balance, Societe Generale asks 100 cedis initially with 50 cedis minimum, and Standard Chartered Bank sets 100 cedis to open with no minimum balance requirement. Republic Bank stands apart with a wide range, requiring between 50 and 1,000 cedis to open or maintain an account depending on the product selected. Bank of Africa Ghana operates savings accounts with minimum deposits detailed in their tariff guide, while institutions like Zenith Bank maintain higher requirements for specialized products such as their Diaspora Savings Account, which targets Ghanaians resident abroad with a 500 cedi minimum initial deposit and 200 cedi minimum balance. These premium accounts typically offer additional features and services justifying the higher entry points. These numbers tell a story of an industry learning to meet people where they are. With digital banking and mobile money redefining convenience, banks recognize that inclusion isn’t about lowering standards but removing unnecessary barriers. The shift aligns with Ghana’s broader financial inclusion agenda and responds to competitive pressure from mobile money platforms that have made small value transactions commonplace. For customers, saving no longer feels out of reach. Whether tucking away 20 cedis from a week’s sales or setting aside 100 cedis for long term goals, nearly every major bank now offers an entry point that feels possible. The democratization of savings access particularly benefits women, young adults, and informal sector workers who previously found traditional banking intimidating or inaccessible. Banks themselves may find that making it easy to start small represents their smartest investment. The customer who begins with 20 cedis today might be the investor or business client of tomorrow. Early account opening establishes relationships, builds trust, and creates opportunities for banks to offer additional products as customers’ financial situations improve. Digital channels have accelerated this transformation. GTBank allows customers to open accounts by dialing a short code or using their mobile app, eliminating branch visits entirely for some products. Other banks have followed suit, recognizing that convenience matters as much as cost for attracting and retaining customers in an increasingly mobile first economy. The competitive landscape continues evolving. As banks experiment with different combinations of opening deposits, minimum balances, transaction limits and service charges, customers benefit from expanded choices. This market driven innovation demonstrates how financial services can adapt to serve broader populations without sacrificing profitability or prudential standards. However, challenges remain. Low balance accounts require careful cost management by banks, who must balance inclusive pricing with operational sustainability. Some institutions address this through digital channel incentives, encouraging customers to use lower cost automated services rather than branch tellers for routine transactions. Others tier their fee structures, offering basic free services while charging for premium features. The broader implication extends beyond individual accounts. As more Ghanaians enter the formal banking system, the country builds a foundation for economic development. Banked individuals can access credit more easily, participate in digital commerce, and build verifiable financial histories. These factors contribute to economic formalization, improved tax collection, and enhanced financial stability.