Dear Customer,
Seasons greetings from all of us at HDFC Bank. May the new year bring you cheer and success in your endeavors.
At the outset, I would like to share the accolades that we have received recently. To start with, Forbes Global selected HDFC Bank as one of the "Best Under a Billion" campanies in Asia & Europe. This was soon followed by recognition from The Asset and Business Today (premier business magazines from Hong Kong and India, respectively). It's perhaps an ample reflection of the fact that a financial institution is as good as its customers.
We have put together an interesting and relevant collection of articles. About new offerings from HDFC Bank (life insurance from HDFC Standard Life, our Bancassurance partner, Net banking, mobile card payment, home loans...), about NRI status to students abroad, RBI news, investment opportunities and more. The festive mood being irresistible, we too are tempted to add a fittingly appetising piece of trivia. Enjoy!
We look forward to your feedback at nri@hdfcbank.com.
Regards,
Neeraj Swaroop,
Country Head - Retail Banking
 |
In the Spotlight
HDFC Bank is one of Forbes Global's "Best Under a Billion"
Forbes Global has named HDFC Bank as one of the "Best Under a Billion, 200 Best Small Companies for 2003". These were selected from some 19,000 companies from Asia & Europe with annual sales below US$1 billion, based on profitability, earnings and sales growth. Forbes Global also talked to fund managers, analysts and industry watchers to spot these 200 best companies with brief operating histories but promising futures. Full article from Forbes.
HDFC Bank named Best Domestic Bank in India Region - Asset Triple A Country Awards 2003
HDFC Bank has been named the Best Domestic Bank in India Region for the year 2003 in The Asset Triple A Country Awards 2003. The award is instituted by The Asset, a leading Hong Kong-based finance magazine. Details.
HDFC Bank named Best Bank in India for 2003
HDFC Bank has been named the Best Bank in India for the year 2003 in a survey conducted by KPMG and leading business magazine, Business Today. Details.
Change the way you bank - with NetBanking
Don't forget to check out the sleek, new look NetBanking. You can use our state-of-the-art NetBanking site with it's user friendly navigations to access your account and transact instantly. Now your bank is just a click away.
For details on how to get started, click here and log on. TODAY!
Insure with HDFC Standard Life
There is no denying that financial security ensures peace of mind. Life Insurance is one such way to ensure long term financial security and peace. HDFC Standard Life offers a wide range of customised life insurance plans which are flexible to meet any of your requirements. Some of the offerings are:
Investment plans.
Long-term savings plans.
Retirement plans, which also covers your Life and Health Risk Protection.
"Children's Plan" for the financial security of your children. And much more.
Get in touch with your Relationship Manager NOW. Find the perfect solution
for your needs.
Mobile card payment facility; ATM-sharing; Home loans & more!
* HDFC Bank has launched mobile Point Of Sales (POS) terminals. This enables restaurants, super-markets and grocery stores to use it for home deliveries. Even cabs can install this machine!
* In a landmark tie-up, HDFC Bank has forged one of the biggest alliances with State Bank of India to share ATM networks. HDFC Bank customers will soon be able to access SBI's vast ATM network for a nominal fee. Now, you can travel and shop with no worry of cash running out.
* Looking for a loan for your dream house? Walk into any branch of HDFC Bank and enquire for details. The Bank has begun selling home loans for its promoter, the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC).
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Mulligatawny Soup!
What is a food item doing in a banking ezine? Well, it's the immigrant, East-meets-West thing.
Mulligatawny [muhl-ih-guh-TAW-nee] is the Anglicized version of the Tamil word for "pepper water" - for molegoo (pepper) and tunes (water). Thanks to the hot and humid Indian climate, the soup took an instant fancy with the British stationed in India, who carried it back home and to other Commonwealth countries.
Today, Mulligatawny bears little resemblance to the original, and has adapted to suit differing tastes in various times and places.
The soup can be clear or creamy but traditionally, it is made with chicken pieces, stock, some chopped apples and cloves, combined with chopped, browned onions with a spicy curry seasoning. Vegetarian versions may contain lentils, tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, rice and fresh coconut.
Well, if you've been tempted, we suggest a few links for the recipe:
Tarladalal.com
Souprecipe.com
Recipezaar.com
|
|
|
|
A change in Govt. policy and what it entails
Burgeoning forex reserves has made the Government of India to do a rethink on the amount repatriable by PIOs and NRIs. They can transfer up to $ 1 million per calendar year to their home countries from India, subject to certain conditions. A.N. Shanbag discusses various strategies in this article from The Business Standard.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| |
| |
|
 |
MIPs: Making the most of the equity boom, securely
A Monthly Income Plan (MIP) is not just about returns; it's about safety too. Regular income, decent returns, tax benefits are some of the benefits which attract the average investor to MIPs from mutual funds. In terms of returns alone, MIPs score over most income funds. The portfolio of most MIPs is a judicious mix of debt and equity with a major portion invested in debt instruments making the investment relatively safe, and yet benefit from a positive stock market.
We give you the low-down on MIPs and consider a few of the funds on offer to help you identify the ones that will best suit your needs.More details from Outlook Money.
RBI grants NRI status to students
The Reserve Bank of India has bestowed the status of non-resident Indians (NRIs) under FEMA to Indian students studying abroad. As NRIs, these students will be eligible for receiving remittances from India up to $100,000 from close relatives on self-declaration towards maintenance. Full details.
RBI nod for firms to grant rupee loans to NRI staff
The RBI has granted general permission to domestic companies to grant rupee loans to its employees, who are NRIs or PIOs, subject to certain conditions. This makes it easier for them to take housing loans. Details here from The Financial Express.
|
| |
|
 |
High on Drugs!!!!
Equity funds have done exceedingly well during the past few months - as one would expect, given the boom. Pharma funds take the cake among sector funds, giving an 89.38 per cent return on an average over a one-year period, just behind diversified funds with 93.29 per cent. The good performance of India's pharma sector and hopes of better times for Indian companies have contributed to this success, say fund managers. More details from Business Standard.
The Future is in Commodity Futures
With the bullion prices soaring and the opening of new exchanges to facilitate dematerialized trading, commodity futures are being looked upon as the newest venue of investment. Excitement has been generated by the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) and the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX), which will start operations in Mumbai. Details from The Economic Times.
|
| |
|
| |
|
The Connect ezine, apart from HDFC Bank News is based on information obtained from publicly
available sources.
Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication, HDFC Bank does not accept responsibility for the
accuracy of its contents or the linked information, nor for the consequence of any reliance that may be placed
upon it. The ezine is not intended to provide professional advice.
All trademarks and logos belong to their respective owners.
For private circulation only
|
|
|
|
Our relationship with you is important to us. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, write to unsubscribe@hdfcbank.com with Unsubscribe as the subject.
|
|
|
|
|
