[hserus]

Originally Posted by manduvindupondu

How about ownership transfer in the state where car is located, pay yearly tax to the new state (if available). This may work if it is for a short duration.
This life time tax is a burden for people with transferable jobs.
How do we make Mr Nitin Gadkari listen and some change expected in this budget?

Some states will refuse to accept yearly tax and insist on you re-registering the vehicle. For example Karnataka.

There is a whole tbhp thread on the subject. You might move the discussion there. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...efund-etc.html

[manduvindupondu]

How are Idfc bank, Bharatiya Mahila Bank, Bandhan Bank. Any reviews ?

[hserus]

Originally Posted by manduvindupondu

How are Idfc bank, Bharatiya Mahila Bank, Bandhan Bank. Any reviews ?

These are the new retail bank licensees, right?

IDFC has a long track record in NBFC and mutual funds, the other two are microfinance / self help group outfits that have been allowed to establish banks.

I don't think you'll fall into their target market. IDFC is most likely going to be yet another high end corporate type bank like Deutsche, HSBC etc.

[abs182]

Originally Posted by manduvindupondu

How are Idfc bank, Bharatiya Mahila Bank, Bandhan Bank. Any reviews ?

I recently opened some accounts in Bandhan Bank. It was largely because the branch came up squarely under my office floor! Bandhan has a very long history of microfinance predominantly in eastern India. They offer very basic banking services but do offer full internet banking facilities too. They also offer debit cards with only 'Rupay' branding yet.

The bank is more leaning towards social banking services as of now but I think the idea is to go full fledgedly towards universal banking services at least that's what I was told by the branch manager. But its backed by a very reputed microfinance pioneer so I hope their banking too walks a straight line!

As for the Mahila Bank I dont see much future. It was a demented idea in the first place. Last I heard they are simple depositing all the deposits they take in into GOI bonds. I won;t be surprised if the bank eventually gets folded into one of the GOI PSU banks. Its of course a GOI backed bank but I am not sure about its future as a stand alone bank.

[manduvindupondu]

Thanks abs183, hserus. IDFC Bank looks promising with their Savings bank features. May be IDBI bank of 2011 in terms of features. But after an year or so, they will go the IDBI bank way - charge for everything. But if IDFC bank is transparent, I may give it a try.

[faustus77]

Originally Posted by manduvindupondu

Thanks abs183, hserus. IDFC Bank looks promising with their Savings bank features. May be IDBI bank of 2011 in terms of features. But after an year or so, they will go the IDBI bank way - charge for everything. But if IDFC bank is transparent, I may give it a try.

Manduvindupondu
Hi.
Well said about IDBI. When their branch opened near my residence I got a call from them and opened an account. After a year or two their terms changed specially about their SMSs and maintaining a minimum balance.
As I am a senior citizen and have FDs with them I got a waiver on the balance part but nowadays I get only debit SMSs.
Incidentally they gave the best rates for FDs and another advantage was that in case of premature closure their is no penalty.
Regards.
PS: Personally for road travellers I recommend an account with SBI and I have one. I carry their blank cheque leaves and encash at a branch. With 15000 branches you are never far from one. I carry their ATM cards but I prefer this way as I get the exact denomination that I want.

[manduvindupondu]

Originally Posted by hserus

These are the new retail bank licensees, right?

IDFC has a long track record in NBFC and mutual funds, the other two are microfinance / self help group outfits that have been allowed to establish banks.

I don't think you'll fall into their target market. IDFC is most likely going to be yet another high end corporate type bank like Deutsche, HSBC etc.

Citibank savings account holders get a message stating the number of metro/non-metro usage at non-Citibank ATMs in the month. This message is delivered when a customer withdraws money. Cool feature! Helps Customer keep track. Somebody in the forum was asking if any bank helps us inform the no. of home bank/non home bank ATM transactions.
Way to go Citibank! Good job.

[manduvindupondu]

Can you guys post some good features you noticed in any bank. We can see if those services can be availed in other banks. If not, we can shift our account to a bank which has unique and good features.

[manduvindupondu]

A good feature I noticed was SBI and ICICI offer Outbound transfer in different currencies to various countries. Useful in some situations. I think fees in SBI was 750/- pls tax, in ICICI 1000/- plus tax. ICICI calls it Money to world and users can send money in 16 currencies!! Way to go ICICI! You were/are a pioneer in bringing out new features since 2000. The limits are also generous under liberal FEMA of RBI (I think $2,00,000 in calendar year)
Others, please suggest if you find any interesting/useful/good feature in any other bank.

[Jaguar]

Standard Chartered has disabled the option to enter a custom message when doing NEFT transfers. Now all you can do is select a message from a drop down list. Don't know whether this a RBI mandate or someone from Standard Chartered is smoking something strong. Going by my experience with their CC department, it definitely looks like later.

[TheTeacher]

Originally Posted by nareshov

KVB is a pleasant surprise. For their customer service alone I'm willing to use them as a primary account.

Thank you! I too am sick of HDFC Bank - they have deteriorated so much. I have already written to the national nodal officer and have promised to leave. Was looking around for a better alternative. Interestingly, my co-brother's brother's firm in Chennai is KVB's auditor now! I will seriously check out KVB.

[nareshov]

@TheTeacher:
To give you an update about KVB: I'm still using it as my primary account now. It's excellent. The kind of transparency it provides in terms of status updates is exceptional.

For instance, if I initiate a NEFT transfer during off hours, it marks it hold and initiates the transfer on the next working hour-slot. If I recall my HDFC days, the money would be debited right away regardless of whether it's off hours or not.

I still use my SBI account for my SIPs, etc. and I occasionally still see a "website down for maintenance" notice now and then.

[dass]

Does anyone have a savings (salary) account with Kotak Mahindra bank? I am looking at shifting my salary account from ICICI to Kotak to take advantage of the 2% higher interest rate at Kotak, but want to take feedback before I proceed with this.

[Uprasenjit]

Originally Posted by dass

Does anyone have a savings (salary) account with Kotak Mahindra bank? I am looking at shifting my salary account from ICICI to Kotak to take advantage of the 2% higher interest rate at Kotak, but want to take feedback before I proceed with this.

I have one from 2008. Their service is good, I never had any problem. I use Kotak for regular transactions only so cant tell what is the scenario/service in any exceptional case.

Kotak do not have too many ATMs. So you will have to take out cash from other Bank's ATM. At this moment they do not have any withdrawal limit.

[adg_andy]

Of late Digibank by DBS (Singapore) has been making the right moves, with mobile-only banking. To top it, they are offering 7 % interest (upto) on Savings Account!!