For years, we banked with the ubiqitous, government owned banks. These banks had few services to offer, that too in the most unprofessional way.
We lived in darkness. We worshipped the branch managers of such banks. We had no choice! So either you schmooze them and get your work done, or fight and get kicked out.
Into this, came ICICI Bank. Everything about this bank impressed me. It’s logo...modern but somber.
It’s neat and well maintained branches. It’s young-at-heart employees, ready to serve you...unlike the babu’s in SBI or Canara Bank...to name a few.
ICICI, with it’s glass doors, granite counter. marble floors and big-smiley clerks and customer service rep. immediately became a hit with people establishing their account with them, in droves!
Their backened often crashed initially. They had never anticipated that they would have such phenomenol growth.
Agressive marketing helped them get great customers. They remain humble, to the guy who had just 5K in his account or 500 million in his account.
My personal experience with them is since last 6 months. Extremely courteous in the branch, they have waiting areas and customer reps. as opposed to standing in a big line infront of the teller.
Their Phone banking is awesome. 4926666 in Bombay. Again, the staff handling this dept. is kewl!
Their Internet Banking is called infinity. Infinity is powered by Infosys technology. It does’nt offer much except account balance and statements. The system is extremely difficult to use. To ensure security, their system logs you off immediately if you are inactive...sick! Get it fixed.
Transferring money from India to Overseas or vice versa is excellent. They have a service called money2india. One of the best foreign exchange transfer system I have seen till date. You wire the money in US and within 24hours is available in the Indian beneficiary’s account.
All said and done, they have some experienced ’’Old Economy’’ branch managers. They still behave like they are working for SBI or somebody. So it’s kinda clashes with the new, young and dynamic staff. ICICI should move such rude branch managers or Asst. Branch managers to other divisions. But please let the wide-eyed, big smile staff run the retail banking sector.
I would’nt recommend HDFC or Global Trust Bank, simply because I have not experienced their service. I am served well at ICICI, which leaves no desire to try another Bank.
Modified on May 3, 2001
I am adding the following lines today. After receiving many comments on my review, I have to agree that their service standards are now on a downhill. ICICI has been in the last few months very shabbily managed...atleast the branch that I have an account with. One rude manager...let me name her here? I know if Amrita was writing this review...she would name the manager...but I won’t. Anyway, this manager is horrible. She has offended many customers. Teller service has gone from bad to real bad. ATM...there is always a big queue...coz most of the time it is broken.
Statements have been late of late. Fax a statement service is now being charged for. Telephone banking requires so many passwords.
ICICI backend systems suck now...
You are given a TPIN #
A Relationship #
An ATM Pin #
Oh my god, how many things am I supposed to remember...last I forgot my birthday and I went home without my mind and slept on my birthday...now they ask me for TPIN and all that nonsense.
Students are complaining big time about ICICI...the fundamental problem with ICICI Bank is they are trying to be jack of all trades...they started well..with a focus..now it’s gone on a mass production level...so if you bank with ICICI...check your local branch and then...I am sorry, but my review, I hope doesn’t contradict...I was impressed with them initially and was comparing them to our sarkari banks...now the standards and benchmarks have changed...ICICI you better be alert!