Monday, May 14, 2007

HDFC Bank to start rural operations

With most urban centres growing to saturation for a host of business activities, rural initiative is fast becoming the flavour among major players from every sector. After FMCG and telecom bigwigs, now the financial services firms are putting in place a detailed plan aimed at a strong rural presence. HDFC Bank is aiming to take the lead in finance segment which, on a pan India basis, accounts for about 70% of the country's one-billion-plus population.

One of the distinguishing features of HDFC Bank's rural foray is its decision to take the more demanding route of connecting with customers directly, rather than taking the easier direct sales agent route.

In addition to specific rural products like tractor loans, kissan gold cards and warehouse receipts, bank's rural customers would also be offered nearly all the urban-centric banking products including savings account, fixed deposits, automobile loans, foreign exchange facilities and loans against gold.

Read more in The Times of India article.

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