Icici bank has 61 electronic branches pan india

            As on date, ICICI Bank has opened 61  24x7 Electronic Branches all over India.

These Electronic Branches are one-stop shops for banking transactions, with the aim to make banking simple, effortless and convenient.

These branches are at ICICI Bank customers’ service round-the-clock, 365 days of the year.

They are equipped with self-serviced automated devices, so this branch  provides customers  the flexibility to transact and interact at customers’ convenience.

The electronic branch offers the facilities of a cheque deposit machine, an interactive kiosk through which internet banking services can be accessed easily by just swiping a debit card, a cash deposit machine with instant credit facility.

In case customers require any help, there is 24-hour video conferencing facility with ICICI Bank’s customer care personnel.

The Electronic Branches will enable more ICICI bank customers to access Internet Banking and Phone Banking in a safe branch environment. This should swell the alternate channels transactions vis-à-vis normal branch transactions.

Delhi metro

Delhi metro

            Delhi metro commuters can now save 10% on each journey. Yes, this is true; just use the Delhi Metro Smart Card for all your delhi metro journeys. Simple, isn’t it?

            The another major advantage is the flexibility to terminate/extend journey without pre planning (Fare will be deducted only till the station you exit from).

            Delhi metro commuters can complete recharge process in 3 easy smart steps, at a dedicated portal.

In just 3 easy steps you can recharge your smart card.

1. Go to Quick TopUp or E-Services section and enter your smart card engraved id (Given on Back Side of Smart Card), amount and email id.  
2. Then use your Credit Card/Debit Card for secure payment.
3. After completion of Online Payment, Visit Add Value Machine (AVM) installed at selected Metro Stations (Near EFO/Customer Care). Show your Smart Card on AVM, Press Add Value button on Screen of AVM to complete the recharge process.

The AVM step can be interpreted as 2 Factor Authentication for safety of the metro commuters.

Smart Card is multi Journey ticket that stores value to pay your Delhi Metro transport fare.

Ticket Reader Cum Add Value Machines, have been installed at 13 Metro stations of the Delhi Metro network as given below:

1.     Dilshad Garden

2.    Shahdara

3.    Welcome

4.    Seelampur

5.    Shastri Park

6.    Pragati Maidan

7.    Karkarduma

8.    Nirman Vihar

9.    Laxmi Nagar

10.  Barakhamba

11.  R K Ashram Marg

12.  Jhandewalan

13.  Rajendra Place

In the near future, hundred such machines will be installed. The machines will also provide commuters with information about balance in the smart card, last recharge details and the last five entry-exit transactions.

Immediate payment service

Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) – 3 banks offer Sub-Product

          In the 2^nd week of May 2013, 3 Banks viz Vijaya Bank, Axis Bank and Dena Bank have offered the IMPS sub-product i.e IMPS using Account No and IFS Code.

          A quick launch by IMPS member banks of all the IMPS sub-products would enable their customers to try out a sample IMPS transaction. Based on the sample, the bank customers would be more than willing to continue with IMPS transactions.

          The quick adoption by the bank customers would depend on the publicity efforts made by the Banks to popularize the IMPS. Mouth-of-word advertising helps but as of now, it is not that much effective.

          As of now, the concentration of the Banks and NPCI is to ensure that all the banks have all the IMPS sub-products in their portfolio. Once the systems and process stabilize, a publicity campaign might be in order.   

Rtgs and neft are open

Today i.e March 29,2013 RTGs and NEFT are open. This decision has been taken by Government of India and Reserve Bank of India.
     
           The customer timings have been extended from 18.00hrs to 20.00 hrs and the interbank timings have been extended from 19.30 hrs to 22.00hrs.

          The primary reason for keeping open RTGS and NEFT are to ensure that Cheques issued to Government departments are honored and do not get returned with the reason 'Insufficient funds'.

          As Bank branches will be closed, customers would be able to execute RTGS and NEFT Transactions through alternate channels. 

Rbi agency bank branches

RBI Agency Bank branches to be open on March 29, 2013, March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013.

            RBI anticipates a last moment rush by Indian Banking customers to remit Government Tax receipts. Hence, RBI has advised that Agency Bank Branches to keep the counters of their designated branches conducting Government business open (full day with extended hours) on March 29, 30 and 31, 2013 to facilitate receipt of Government taxes from members of public even at late hours.

            There will be special clearing sessions wherein exclusive cheques favoring Tax Authorities will be handled.

Simultaneously, offices of both income tax as well as of indirect taxes will remain open on March 30 and 31 to facilitate tax collection.

It might be mentioned here that March 29, 2013 is Good Friday, with bank branches in many parts of India being closed. Marc 31, 2013 is Sunday. However, now agency bank branches have to keep their counters opens.

It would be interesting to know, as to how many tax payments were made via online banking and physical bank branches on March 29, 30 and 31.

Would it better to offer loyalty points if government tax is paid in advance, to avoid direct and indirect costs by keeping open bank branches on the last working days?

Agency bank branches are Banks which have been appointed under Section 45 of RBI Act to carry out Government transactions.

At present all the public sector banks and three private sector banks viz. ICICI Bank Ltd., HDFC Bank Ltd. and Axis Bank Ltd. act as RBI's agents. Only authorised branches of Agency banks can conduct Govt. business.