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| Come
bank the HSBC way |
 The
entire banking experience has, over the years,
undergone a sea change. Gone are the days
of tiresome visits to overcrowded banks, waiting
endlessly for one's turn, with token in hand
and sweat on the brow, impatient to get the
job done.
Banks today are bending over backwards to
humour the customer. Service in the comforts
of the home, statements at the press of a
button, ATMs and even Phone and Net banking
facilities. If this isn't the ultimate in
pampering, one wonders what is! Well, for
the residents of Pune at least, the spanking
new premises of the Hong Kong and Shanghai
Bank most definitely is. On the 23rd of
May, Puneites were introduced to the ultimate
in banking services.
Considered to be the biggest in Pune, spread
over 11,000 square feet, it could well be
mistaken for the foyer of an airport
terminal. The vastness of space is accentuated
by the raised ceiling and clever interior
designing. Architect Anil Salian, who
specialises in corporate interiors, had been
entrusted with the job.
 Zarir
J Cama, the bank's CEO, addressing the
press at the branch opening, said that HSBC
has a long-standing commitment to India and
its presence in the country dated back to
1853. It is also, he went on to state, the
second largest banking entity in the country,
with a total bank capitalization of 170,000
crores, which makes the bank even bigger than
ICICI and HDFC.
Explaining the rationale of the bank making
a late entry into the city, he said that the
bank had applied to the RBI for a licence
to open the branch but it was only now that
they received the sanction. The bank has 29
branches nationally and has applied to the
RBI for permission to open branches in 4 more
cities. Mr. Cama further added that the focus
on Pune is not on the Corporate Sector but
on Personal Banking and the Wealth Management
segments. A couple of their corporate clients
from Mumbai who have local offices in Pune
have started banking with the Pune branch,
however, this will be mainly in the Cash Management
Services and not Credit Management which will
continue to be dealt by Mumbai.”
A unique feature of the Pune branch is that
it will remain open 365 days a year, 8 am
to 8 pm. The bank also houses an art gallery
spread over 500 square feet. The art gallery
will promote local artists, an exercise that
has been carried out successfully at the HSBC
branch in Kolkatta.”
 The
bank has a separate entrance for its ‘high-end’
customers that will lead them to a separate
room where plush sofas, a television, computers
with net access and two-service center cubicles
welcome them. Special services are not restricted
to just the high-end customers. A lot of care
has been taken to see that customers are well
serviced and this is evident as one looks
around the excellent premises. The entrance
is dotted with an ATM machine, there are separate
cubicles with round pine tables for customer
sales officers. The safe deposit lockers and
part of the parking lot is in the basement.
There is also a small cafe where the bank
staff can relax over a cup of coffee.
Mr. Cama also informed the press that the
bank had, for the past two years, transferred
all its back end services to Hyderabad, where
the bank has 700 people working. All the back
end work of the bank's UK and US operations
would be carried out in Hyderabad. There are
also plans to open Call Centers in four to
five Indian cities. at a total investment
of Rs 58 million.
 Not
content with resting on its laurels in the
banking sector, HSBC has opened an Insurance
Services Company, which will sell the
TATA-AIG range of products in the Life
and Non-Life sectors to its customers. Asked
why the bank was only selling the products
of one company, Mr. Cama replied that the
current law did not allow for a company to
sell more then one company's product. However,
once the Insurance Bill is passed, they would
be able to sell other company products.
The Manager of the HSBC Pune Branch, Dheeraj
Dikshit calls the HSBC branch near Residency
Club, the bank's flagship branch. The
bank has currently one of Pune’s biggest
signage's or Translites, five and a half feet
in height and 150 feet in length, lit up by
500 tube lights.
The Pune branch will offer the entire gamut
of the banks services and products, like Credit
Cards and loans.
Address: HSBC, Amar Avinash Corporate
City, Opposite Council Hall, Bund Garden Road,
Pune-411001.
Phone: 4012000
By Rahul Surkund
Photos-Courtesy- Perfect Relations |
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