The Hindu Business Line : ‘SBH to continue focus on growth’

Hyderabad, June 17 Notwithstanding the prospects of a merger with its parent State Bank of India, State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH) will continue to focus on its growth by opening 50 new branches and 250 ATMs this year, according to Ms Renu Challu, Managing Director, SBH.

The bank currently has 1,158 branches (including extension counters and 500 ATMs).

“I will focus on leveraging technology to drive growth in business segments such as CASA (current accounts and savings accounts) and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), among others, Ms Challu told Business Line .

The bank would be introducing new products based on technology. “For example our ‘Easy Trade’ combines savings, demat and online broking into a single platform and is well received by customers. We will concentrate on similar products. Though every bank is talking of technology, SBH is ahead of others in this regard,” she claimed.

Ms Challu felt that the merger would happen sooner or later following the recent nod by the Ministry of Law for the merger of State Bank of Saurashtra with SBI. “The SBI Chairman believes in efficacy of merger of associate banks with SBI. I too feel that it is a sure way of more profitability,” she said.

On the industry scenario, Ms Challu said, “these are tougher times for banks with pressure on margins. The credit up-take on personal banking has slowed down though the corporate sector is still relatively free from any impact.”

On the focus on SMEs, Ms Challu said the quality of assets in the SME segment was very good with 0.2 per cent net non-performing assets.

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