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Central Bank of India to reduce housing loan interest

Central Bank of India reduced rate of interest on housing loans making this product most competitive in the market. The reduced rates for housing loans up to Rs. 30 lacs, up to Rs.75 lacs and above Rs.75 lacs would now be 10.75%, 11% and 11.25% respectively.

These rates will be effective from 20.02.2012. No processing fees will be charged on these loans till 31.03.2012. The Bank wants to become market leader in the housing loan segment with this reduction in interest rate.

Central Bank of India, a leading Public Sector Bank having a pan Indian presence through its 4000 branches across the country, has been a leading player in the Retail Loan market, especially in the Housing Loan Segment.

Beware, MetLife will definitely Rob You

Oh, yeah, MetLife will ROB you!!

“Thank you for buying your Life Insurance policy with one of the most innovative companies in the industry.  There is a feeling of security that comes from knowing that the company you trust is looking after the financial well being of you and your family.  That’s what MetLife is all about.”

This is the welcome note in the policy document I received from MetLife. However, I’ve a totally contradicting experience with MetLife.

I’ve invested Rs.5,00,00/- (Fifty thousand only) in MetLife policy (Met Smart Premier – Plan) in the year 2007, which was recommenced by one of my close family friend. Last day I got a letter form MetLife along with a bank cheque for Rs.1,57,33/-  (Fifteen thousand seven hundred and thirty three only). I am really frustrated and disappointed to see the letter, particularly the ‘Surrender Charges’.

Please read below the letter received from MetLife for your reference:

*******

Sub: Automatic Termination of your policy number xxxxxxx

Dear Mr. Manmohan (Name changed to protect privacy)

We would like to inform you that your policy number xxxxxxx was lapsed effective 30/06/08 and reinstatement period as per terms and conditions of your policy had expired.

Hence your policy has been terminated. Please note that there would be no further benefits available under the policy.  The details of the termination as on 29/11/2011 are appended below with calculations as per policy terms:

Particulars Amount in INR
Fund Value in your policy 48823.49
Less Applicable Charges
          Surrender Charges 33090
          Outstanding Policy Loan if any NA
          Interest on Policy Loan if any NA
Net Termination Amount 15733.49

Please find enclosed the cheque for an amount Rs.15733.49 drawn on payment account-Axis Bank; Cheque number 936449, dated 16/12/2011 towards the full and final settlement of your above policy.

You can reach our customer service help line number 1-800-425-6969 of email us at indiaservice@metlife.co.in for any queries.

If you wish to get insurance cover, you can also dial 8 on main menu to reach our dedicated help line number.  Our customer service executives would be happy to help and assist you.

Yours sincerely,

MetLife India Insurance Co. Ltd
This is a computer generated letter/statement and does not require a signature.

*******

“MetLife – Peace of mind, Guaranteed”…  not sure whose mind!!!

If you need any further information on this policy, drop an email to:  metlife.will.rob.you@gmail.com or put your comments in the comment section.

State Bank of India to provide Vehicle Finance for Mahindra Reva the Green Cars

Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., a part of the US $14.4 billion Mahindra Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s premier public sector bank.  The Preferred Financier agreement was signed by both parties which will enable both Mahindra Reva and State Bank of India to leverage on the inherent strengths of each other’s vast network.  The MOU was signed by Mr. R N Mehra, Chief General Manager, Personal Banking, State Bank of India and Mr. R Chandramouli, Chief of Operations of Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. R N Mehra, CGM, State Bank of India Mumbai said, “State Bank of India will finance 85% of the On Road Price of Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles with a tenure of 7 years and low interest rate of 12% (Rs. 1765 per lac of loan for 7 years). There will be no pre payment penalty in case a customer chooses to pre close the loan. Through this initiative, we are pleased to promote  ’Green Cars’ as these are environment friendly”.

Mr. R Chandramouli, Chief of Operations of Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. said, “It is a moment of pride for Mahindra Reva to be associated with a bank of the stature, heritage and respect of SBI. With such highly competitive schemes and finance, we are hopeful of getting a good response from our dealers and customers”.

About State Bank of India

SBI is premier Banking institution with 206 years of banking experience. It is India’s largest commercial bank in terms of assets, deposits, profits and number of branches and employees. The Bank has 13686 branches across the country, while the SBI group has 18506 branches. The State Bank Group is 100% Globally Networked. The Bank has 21633 ATMs, while the SBI Group has 26692 ATMs in the country. Total asset size of the Bank is Rs.12,42,517 Crores. The Personal Banking Business Unit of the Bank is the most preferred for all Personal Banking requirements.

SBI maintains its retail market leadership in domestic passenger car financing. SBI offers car loans upto 85% of “On-road Price” of the car with a maximum repayment period of 7 years to all categories of customers. Customers can repay the loan amount at any point of time during the repayment period without any pre-payment penalty.

About Mahindra REVA Electric Vehicles Pvt Ltd         

Mahindra REVA is a pioneer of EV (electric vehicle) technologies and one of the first companies to introduce electric vehicles worldwide. Founded in 1994 as REVA Electric Car Company, a joint venture between the Maini Group of Bangalore and AEV LLC of USA, the company was acquired in May 2010 by the USD 14.4 billion Mahindra Group of India. The REVA electric vehicle was launched in Bangalore in 2001 and in London in 2004, (latter under the G-Wiz brand). Today Mahindra Reva has one of the largest deployed fleets of electric cars in the global market and has accumulated data from more than 180 million km of user experience. The company’s electric vehicle platforms, technologies and regional vehicle assembly are offered under license.

Mahindra Reva has 310 employees and is headquartered at the Bommasandra Industrial Area in Bangalore, India, next to Electronic City, one of the world’s technology hubs.

In 2006, REVA was acclaimed by Business world India as one of India’s ‘Cool Companies’ and in 2008 was the recipient of the Frost & Sullivan Automotive Power train Company of the Year award. In 2010, Overdrive and CNBC TV 18 declared the REVAi as the Green Car of the Year. Chetan Maini, co-founder and Chief of Technology & Strategy, was awarded The Economist Innovation Award for Energy and the Environment by the Economist in Oct 2011.

About The Mahindra Group

The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology and vacation ownership. Mahindra has a presence in the automotive industry, agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel and two wheelers.

A US $14.4 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 144,000 people in over 100 countries.

In 2011, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world. Dun & Bradstreet also ranked Mahindra at No. 1 in the automobile sector in its list of India’s Top 500 Companies. In 2010, Mahindra featured in the Credit Suisse Great Brands of Tomorrow.

In 2011, Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Korea’s SsangYong Motor Company.

For further enquiries please contact:

Toll free Number: 1800-11-22-11/1800-425-38-00

Dhanlaxmi Bank into silver retailing business

‘Dhan’ silver bars with a purity of 99.99% will carry Assay certification, signifying highest purity of silver as per international standards.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Deepak Singh, Head, Insurance, Gold & Silver, Dhanlaxmi Bank said: “The launch of ‘Dhan’ silver bars has been prompted by the success of the bank’s gold retailing business. With this launch, we foresee further traction and aim to become one of the leading players in the bullion business in the next couple of years.”
The launch of silver retailing marks the second phase of the bank’s foray in silver bullion business. In July
2011, the bank rolled out its wholesale initiative with the launch of 30 kg silver bars and silver grains.

India is the largest importer of silver in the world. According to estimates of Bombay Bullion Association, imports of silver into India will exceed 4,000 tonnes in 2011. In 2010, India consumed about 2,800 tonnes of silver.
“We see a lot of potential in metals as an asset class. With higher disposable income and high inflation, investment in metals such as silver and gold will allow investors to hedge and diversify their savings and investment portfolio,” Mr. Singh added.

About Dhanlaxmi Bank:

Dhanlaxmi Bank is an 84-year old bank, being incorporated in 1927 at Thrissur, Kerala. In the last three years, it has transformed into a well diversified bank with a pan-India presence from being an SME focused South India based bank. With a network of 275 branches and 404 ATMs covering 140 centers across 14 states, the bank services a broad customer base of over 2 million. The bank provides a suite of banking products and services to its customers across Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, Microfinance and Agricultural Lending and Small and Medium Enterprises Group.

During the last three years, Dhanlaxmi Bank’s total deposits increased from Rs.3,936 crore as on September 30, 2008 to Rs. 13,815 crore as on September 30, 2011, advances rose from Rs. 2,490 crore as on September 30, 2008 to Rs. 10,130 crore as on September 30, 2011. The bank’s total business stood at Rs. 23,945 crore, as on September 30, 2011 with total asset base at Rs. 16,452 crore.

The shares of the bank are listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange Limited, the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and the Cochin Stock Exchange.

For additional information please log on to www.dhanbank.com

For media queries please contact:

Ravindra Kanchan
Associate Vice-President, Corporate Communications, Dhanlaxmi Bank
Mobile: +91 – 96198 58132
Email: ravindra.kanchan@dhanbank.co.in

Validity period of Cheques reduced to 03 months, as per RBI Guidelines

With effect from April 1, 2012 onwards, as per RBI instructions, validity period of Cheques/Drafts/Pay orders/Banker’s cheques shall be reduced from 06 months to 03 months. This is as per RBI Guidelines dated November 4, 2011.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI)