State Bank of India (SBI) will be installing 6 lakh point of sale (PoS) terminals, across the country where shoppers can make payments by swiping their credit, debit or pre-paid cards.
At present there are 4.5 lakh PoS terminals in the country, out of which few belong to SBI.
Brajesh Varma, deputy general manager - new business, SBI said, “We have select PoS terminals installed in Manipal University and Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad, where the installations were done on request to benefit students. But right now most are at colleges and universities.”
The bank also have plans to start a separate company to take care of the card payment network, for this bank has short-listed 3-4 joint venture partners, including global players.
Varma informed, putting to rest speculation about SBI having shelved the plan, “The timeframe is yet to be finalized, but in two years we should have around 6 lakh merchant terminals”.
Sachin Khandelwal, senior general manager, ICICI Bank has been recently nominated the chairman of the Prepaid International Forum, said, it’s a huge target.
SBI will be installing large number of PoS terminals in smaller cities.
Verma stated, “Tier-I cities have already been covered by the private sector banks. We will build this network in Tier-II and Tier-III cities”.
According to plan, the joint venture partner name will be finalized in a couple of months and the company will start operations in 6-8 months.
The bank will not wait for the new company to be formed it will start installing terminals.
SBI’s plan is close to private sector ICICI Bank who is selling its network to First Data Corporation. It is expected the Reserve Bank of India will allow to cardholders to withdraw cash from PoS terminals installed with shopkeepers, mall stores, etc.
It is believed that SBI has changed the name it had initially decided on for the venture.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
SBI opened `SBI Sona Ghar' first exclusive gold banking outlet
The State Bank of India (SBI) first exclusive gold banking outlet `SBI Sona Ghar' in the country was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Human Resource Development D Purandeswari. Bank’s main branch is in Koti.
SBI Chief General Manager Shiva Kumar told the reporter banks’ launch of its new initiative is very timely as more and more people prefer to invest in gold. At new center gold deposit scheme will also be available.
He told through new centre pure gold coins and bars of 999.9 purity of 2 gm to 50 gm in a tamper-proof packaging will be sold. At new center gold deposit scheme will also be available.
The gold coins will be assay certified and are ideal for investment and individual and corporate gifting. At this outlet on bulk purchase of 500 grams and above special discounts will be given.
On deposit scheme 1 to 1.5 per cent interest in gold will be given for a period ranging from three to five years.
For instance on a 500 gram gold deposit for a period of three years, a customer will get 515 gram at the end of the term, he pointed out that the interest earned on the gold deposit is exempted from income tax and the value of gold has been exempted from wealth tax.
Even the appreciation on value of gold has been exempted from the capital gains tax.
Customers can take loan from any SBI branch by pledging gold deposit certificates. There is a provision for premature with drawl of the gold deposit, after an initial lock-in period of one year individual can with draw it.
He said, “We are targeting gold deposits of 500 kg in one year,'' and added that they will contact various temples and trusts to persuade them to deposit the gold which has been lying idle with them.
He informed bank aims to sell 100 kg gold every month. Purandeswari said as the price of gold is very high therefore it is the best investment option.
SBI Chief General Manager Shiva Kumar told the reporter banks’ launch of its new initiative is very timely as more and more people prefer to invest in gold. At new center gold deposit scheme will also be available.
He told through new centre pure gold coins and bars of 999.9 purity of 2 gm to 50 gm in a tamper-proof packaging will be sold. At new center gold deposit scheme will also be available.
The gold coins will be assay certified and are ideal for investment and individual and corporate gifting. At this outlet on bulk purchase of 500 grams and above special discounts will be given.
On deposit scheme 1 to 1.5 per cent interest in gold will be given for a period ranging from three to five years.
For instance on a 500 gram gold deposit for a period of three years, a customer will get 515 gram at the end of the term, he pointed out that the interest earned on the gold deposit is exempted from income tax and the value of gold has been exempted from wealth tax.
Even the appreciation on value of gold has been exempted from the capital gains tax.
Customers can take loan from any SBI branch by pledging gold deposit certificates. There is a provision for premature with drawl of the gold deposit, after an initial lock-in period of one year individual can with draw it.
He said, “We are targeting gold deposits of 500 kg in one year,'' and added that they will contact various temples and trusts to persuade them to deposit the gold which has been lying idle with them.
He informed bank aims to sell 100 kg gold every month. Purandeswari said as the price of gold is very high therefore it is the best investment option.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
SBI predicts no immediate change in lending rates
The State Bank of India (SBI), country’s largest lender the first bank to launch special home loan scheme offering 8% interest rate, says no immediate change is likely in lending rates.
SBI chairman .P. Bhatt, who was on a visit in Jamshedpur, told the step taken by the bank in the home loan segment has benefited both the customers and real estate developers.
Bhatt said, “We reduced the home loan lending rates to 8 per cent per annum and as a result developers and customers started returning to the market. Other banks were also forced to follow our footsteps.”
He maintained that in market liquidity is in surplus but the credit growth has yet to pick up.
He added, “I don’t see any hike in lending rates of the bank in the next six months. There is enough money available in the market and banks are not facing any difficulties in providing credit to customers at this point of time”.
SBI chairman .P. Bhatt, who was on a visit in Jamshedpur, told the step taken by the bank in the home loan segment has benefited both the customers and real estate developers.
Bhatt said, “We reduced the home loan lending rates to 8 per cent per annum and as a result developers and customers started returning to the market. Other banks were also forced to follow our footsteps.”
He maintained that in market liquidity is in surplus but the credit growth has yet to pick up.
He added, “I don’t see any hike in lending rates of the bank in the next six months. There is enough money available in the market and banks are not facing any difficulties in providing credit to customers at this point of time”.
Monday, December 7, 2009
MoU inked between SBI and Honda Siel Cars
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between State Bank of India (SBI) and Honda Siel Cars India Ltd for providing auto retail financing to prospective customers.
According to company’s press release SBI will be the preferred financier for the entire range of vehicles marketed by Honda Siel Cars in India.
Honda Siel Cars' director (marketing) Tatsuya Natsume and SBI's chief general manager, personal banking business unit, P Nanda Kumaran signed the MoU.
The main aim of signing MoU is to target high-end customers who will be taking car loans of above Rs 5 lakh from the bank. SBI has launched a special scheme called SBI Advantage Car Loan Scheme for this segment. The bank release said the scheme is available for individuals – salaried, professionals, self-employed, businessmen and proprietary/ partnership firms- who pay income tax and whose income/net profit or gross taxable income is Rs2.50 lakh and above.
SBI under its car loan is giving 85% of on-road price of the car with a repayment period of 7 years as maximum applicable to all categories of customers. Bank is charging only 0.50% of the loan amount as processing fee.
The release said, the USP of the product is the loans will be sanctioned on a priority basis.
According to company’s press release SBI will be the preferred financier for the entire range of vehicles marketed by Honda Siel Cars in India.
Honda Siel Cars' director (marketing) Tatsuya Natsume and SBI's chief general manager, personal banking business unit, P Nanda Kumaran signed the MoU.
The main aim of signing MoU is to target high-end customers who will be taking car loans of above Rs 5 lakh from the bank. SBI has launched a special scheme called SBI Advantage Car Loan Scheme for this segment. The bank release said the scheme is available for individuals – salaried, professionals, self-employed, businessmen and proprietary/ partnership firms- who pay income tax and whose income/net profit or gross taxable income is Rs2.50 lakh and above.
SBI under its car loan is giving 85% of on-road price of the car with a repayment period of 7 years as maximum applicable to all categories of customers. Bank is charging only 0.50% of the loan amount as processing fee.
The release said, the USP of the product is the loans will be sanctioned on a priority basis.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
SBT extended home loan scheme, withdrawn car loan scheme
The State Bank of Travancore (SBT) has also extended its Aishwarya Home Loan scheme till March 31, 2010, and has reintroduced processing charges.
Under this scheme the home loans taken during this period will be offered at the rate of 8 per cent (fixed) during the first year, then for the next two years the rate would be 9 per cent (fixed) on up to Rs 30 lakh and for the next two years it would charge 9.5 per cent (fixed) for above Rs 30 lakh.
According to bank press release, subsequently the interest rates for these loans after wards will be at 2.5 per cent below prime lending rate (floating) for limits up to Rs 30 lakh and at 2 per cent below prime lending rate (floating) for limits above Rs 30 lakh.
For the time being SBT has withdrawn its Aishwarya Car Loan scheme from December 1, and consequently the SBT Car Loan scheme will be available at normal rates with processing charges. The normal rates of car loan scheme charged by the bank range from 11 per cent to11.25 per cent for a tenure of up to seven years, the release stated.
Friday, November 13, 2009
SIB authorized to distribute commemorative coins on St Alphonsa
Recently the commemorative coin on India’s first woman Catholic Saint Sister Alphonsa was released by the Union Finance Minister Mr P. Chidambaram. Sister Alphonsa, who spent a quiet life at a convent in Bharananganam village in Kottayam district in the early 20th century, was conferred sainthood by Pope Benedict last year. South Indian Bank (SIB), a Kerala based lender has been authorized to distribute the coins through its branches.
The Rs five coin has the engraving of the Kerala – born nun. The distribution of coin was inaugurated at SIB headquarters in Thrissur where Dr V.A. Joseph, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SIB presented few pieces of coin to Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, a bank press release stated.
The Provincial of Assisi Province of Franciscan Clarist Congregation received the coins; St Alphonsa belonged to this place.
The Rs five coin has the engraving of the Kerala – born nun. The distribution of coin was inaugurated at SIB headquarters in Thrissur where Dr V.A. Joseph, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SIB presented few pieces of coin to Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, a bank press release stated.
The Provincial of Assisi Province of Franciscan Clarist Congregation received the coins; St Alphonsa belonged to this place.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
State Bank expects growth in loan segment and increase in margins
Country’s top lender, the State Bank of India is expecting growth in its loan segment and margins to increase as more and more corporate are showing confidence in Asia's third largest economy which will boost in credit demand.
On Saturday, the state-run lender September quarter net profit raised by 10.2 percent taking to 24.9 billion rupees ($530.2 million) on trading gains, while there was slip in loan demand and low lending rates from core operations.
However Reuter survey of analysts had forecasted net profit at 24.6 billion rupees.
While on Friday ICICI bank the closest rival said, their net profit has increased to 2.6 percent, defeating the forecast.
It is said the increasing business confidence in Asia's third-largest economy is likely to boost the corporate, housing, auto and retail loan demand which will help Indian banks to retrieve their loan growth.
SBI Chairman O P Bhatt told reporters, "Loan growth was slow until June. After that it has picked up significantly and if the rate of growth continues we should be able to meet our targets".
in July-September there was a growth of 16.4 percent in advances, covering its 30 percent flow over the past few years but more than 13 percent sector growth, stated State Bank. The State Bank along with its associates has hold over a quarter of Indian bank loans and deposits.
Bhatt stated, it is likely to attain credit growth of 22 percent in the year of March 2010.
In the September quarter, most Indian corporate has done good earnings, which reduced the risk of rising bad debt for Indian banks.
State Bank has 12,000 branches across India and abroad, and its bad debts is estimated to have risen to 2.99 percent in the fiscal second quarter as against 2.79 percent in the June quarter.
Also its provisions for bad debts had declined to 42.9 percent in July-September as against last quarter’s 45.2 percent.
According to Analysts State Bank and ICICI Bank will be affected most by the measures taken by the central bank to raise the minimum provision ratio for bad debts to 70 percent from 10 percent by September 2010.
In view of RBI’s move the bank will be required to provide at least 50 billion rupees more to meet this target, Bhat said he is waiting for details from the RBI.
Bank there was growth of 2.55 percent in net interest margin in the quarter to September as against the 2.3 percent in the previous quarter.
The bank hopes net interest margin to push up by 10 to 15 basis points in the next few quarters as it is increasing low-cost deposits and cutting high-cost term deposits
on the other hand bank’s capital adequacy ratio, a measure of its financial efficiency was at 12.47 per cent which stood at 12.14 percent a year ago.
State Bank of India will require about 360 billion rupees over the next 5 years so that it can maintain its capital adequacy ratio of 12 percent, said Chief Financial Officer S.S. Ranjan.
Bhat informed the process of acquisition of State Bank of Indore is on track and the board has given its approval to the share swap ratio, but he refused to reveal the details.
State Bank sources said it is looking at overseas acquisition opportunities in order to strengthen its portfolio.
Bhat referring to the global credit crisis stated, "We are looking at it but in the current climate it is difficult. If you make a mistake it won't be good for us in the context of what has happened across the world".
State bank is getting tenth of its profits from its overseas operations.
In July-September shares of State Bank prized at $31.5 billion rose by 26 percent, beating a 20 percent rise in the sector index and an 18 percent gain on the benchmark index.
On Saturday, the state-run lender September quarter net profit raised by 10.2 percent taking to 24.9 billion rupees ($530.2 million) on trading gains, while there was slip in loan demand and low lending rates from core operations.
However Reuter survey of analysts had forecasted net profit at 24.6 billion rupees.
While on Friday ICICI bank the closest rival said, their net profit has increased to 2.6 percent, defeating the forecast.
It is said the increasing business confidence in Asia's third-largest economy is likely to boost the corporate, housing, auto and retail loan demand which will help Indian banks to retrieve their loan growth.
SBI Chairman O P Bhatt told reporters, "Loan growth was slow until June. After that it has picked up significantly and if the rate of growth continues we should be able to meet our targets".
in July-September there was a growth of 16.4 percent in advances, covering its 30 percent flow over the past few years but more than 13 percent sector growth, stated State Bank. The State Bank along with its associates has hold over a quarter of Indian bank loans and deposits.
Bhatt stated, it is likely to attain credit growth of 22 percent in the year of March 2010.
In the September quarter, most Indian corporate has done good earnings, which reduced the risk of rising bad debt for Indian banks.
State Bank has 12,000 branches across India and abroad, and its bad debts is estimated to have risen to 2.99 percent in the fiscal second quarter as against 2.79 percent in the June quarter.
Also its provisions for bad debts had declined to 42.9 percent in July-September as against last quarter’s 45.2 percent.
According to Analysts State Bank and ICICI Bank will be affected most by the measures taken by the central bank to raise the minimum provision ratio for bad debts to 70 percent from 10 percent by September 2010.
In view of RBI’s move the bank will be required to provide at least 50 billion rupees more to meet this target, Bhat said he is waiting for details from the RBI.
Bank there was growth of 2.55 percent in net interest margin in the quarter to September as against the 2.3 percent in the previous quarter.
The bank hopes net interest margin to push up by 10 to 15 basis points in the next few quarters as it is increasing low-cost deposits and cutting high-cost term deposits
on the other hand bank’s capital adequacy ratio, a measure of its financial efficiency was at 12.47 per cent which stood at 12.14 percent a year ago.
State Bank of India will require about 360 billion rupees over the next 5 years so that it can maintain its capital adequacy ratio of 12 percent, said Chief Financial Officer S.S. Ranjan.
Bhat informed the process of acquisition of State Bank of Indore is on track and the board has given its approval to the share swap ratio, but he refused to reveal the details.
State Bank sources said it is looking at overseas acquisition opportunities in order to strengthen its portfolio.
Bhat referring to the global credit crisis stated, "We are looking at it but in the current climate it is difficult. If you make a mistake it won't be good for us in the context of what has happened across the world".
State bank is getting tenth of its profits from its overseas operations.
In July-September shares of State Bank prized at $31.5 billion rose by 26 percent, beating a 20 percent rise in the sector index and an 18 percent gain on the benchmark index.
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