HDFC Bank to come up with multi-lingual mobile app
Ruchika M. Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 16
HDFC Bank has emerged as a full-scale digital bank while keeping a customer-centric approach. Though the bank continues to expand physically, it is seeing a major shift towards digital banking by its customers.
The digital banking, comprising mobile and internet banking, is now attracting 63% of its 32 million customers. Two years ago, just 44% of its customers were using the digital banking solutions.
Nitin Chugh, country head — digital banking, HDFC Bank, said, “After the successful digital banking initiatives, including the missed call banking (where by giving a missed call a customer can get his account balance and a cheque book), travel and tax payment solutions, personalised banking through video chat, and recharge through mobile banking app, the bank is working on creating a platform for gaming while helping customers bank.
“Initially, when we brought in the digital initiatives, these were dismissed as being urbane. But we have now shown how these initiatives are being used mainly by the rural customers. As the bank has a clear focus to expand in rural and semi-urban areas, services such as missed call banking have helped us rope in more customers,” he said.
“The business of banking is not going to change dramatically. Banks that have a relationship approach are able to communicate effectively, make relevant recommendations without intruding on customer privacy will stand to gain out of it. It is in this regard that we grant pre-approvals to all kinds of loans to our customers and when he needs it, these loans can be disbursed within seconds, even through ATMs. Even the kisan gold card holders can get a top-up loan within seconds,” Chugh said.
He said the bank will soon come out with multi-lingual mobile app for its customers. “We already have a Hindi app, but we will now introduce it in 10 different languages, including Punjabi,” he added.
