HDFC Bank looking at 3G services to boost mobile banking

HDFC Bank aims to increase the number of clients using its mobile banking services in Andhra Pradesh to 10 per cent of its customer base once 3G services are fully rolled out in the state from below 5 per cent at present, a senior official has said.

The leading private lender is also set to open 34 new branches in the state before the end of this financial year, taking the total number to 137.

“It (mobile banking) is still in the nascent stage. It has to go a long way. After facilities like 3G services are launched, it is expected to reach 10 per cent. Currently, mobile banking is around 3 to 5 per cent,” HDFC Bank Senior Vice—President, Mr C S Gopinath, told PTI.

He said the aim is to encourage customers to go for more technology based services like ATM, mobile and Internet banking.

According to Mr Gopinath, only 26 per cent of HDFC Bank’s customers visit branches and the rest depend on ATMs, the Internet and mobiles for their banking needs. “We have 450 to 500 ATMs in AP and up to 20 per cent of customers use Internet banking,” he said.

He said HDFC Bank plans to open 34 new branches in the state by the end of this fiscal.

“Currently, we have 103 branches in AP. We plan to open another 34 by the end of this financial year, taking the number of branches to 137. In Karnataka, we have close to 100 branches and in Kerala — 150. In Tamil Nadu, we have 135 branches,” he informed.