This is, I would say, is a continuation of my earlier review on Citibank titled ’’Suvidha Account Opening- A nightmarish Experience’’
As a brief recap, let me tell you that a couple of months ago I’d had the horrendous experience of opening a Salary Account with Citibank. I am told several of my colleagues have had similar experiences with Citibank in the past. Yesterday we received a communication informing us that our Salary Accounts are being moved to HDFC Bank.
We were also informed that HDFC Bank executives would visit us premises to facilitate the account opening formalities sometime next week. And believe it or not, this afternoon, we already had about 4-5 executives at our office to help us complete the account opening formalities. When compared to the ordeal that I had to go through with Citibank, this was amazingly simple. It took me just about 3 minutes to fill the form.
Unlike Citibank which insisted on address proof, landline no., and attestation from the employer and what not and quoting RBI rules as a convenient excuse for all these formalities, HDFC Bank saved us the trouble of this information and obtained all the details pertaining to all employees from our HR department directly. We just had to fill the optional details and sign. They had a camera, which they used to click the required passport size photograph.
And before I realized, the formalities were completed. I was informed that the Welcome Kit would be delivered to me in 7 working days at my office. The account comes with a free international debit card, (Citibank Charged me 250 bucks for the same), a personalized at par chequebook, (Citibank did not offer a at par cheque, and I guess if they did they would’ve charged a fancy price for it). In my 2 months of association with Citibank, I haven’t met a single representative of the bank or their franchisee once, (all interactions were very ’’professionally’’ and ’’conveniently’’ handled on the phone) and here at HDFC bank we have been provided with the mobile no.
Of the relationship manager who would be responsible for all our company accounts and we have been provided with a list of the branches where we would be provided personalized service. Now this is what I would call excellent service because there’s a human face to it.
And not to mention that they have more branches and ATM’s than Citibank and they don’t charge their customers for visiting the Branch I am glad my management decided to move our salary accounts to HDFC Bank.