HDFC Bank has launched SmartUp zones, which are dedicated to start-ups, in nine of its branches in Bengaluru.
“The bank has a total of 600 start-up customers, of which, 270 to 280 are in Bengaluru alone. Hence, we want to strengthen our presence in this city,” Arun Mediratta, Branch Banking Head, HDFC Bank, told BusinessLine .
The bank now provides additional services through these SmartUp zones, which were launched last year.
“The enhanced offerings are end-to-end banking solutions customised to suit their requirements; specially trained, dedicated staff to cater to start-up needs; and access to HDFC Bank’s SmartBuy platform, which allows them to market their products to the general public and showcase products to over 40 million HDFC Bank customers,” said Mediratta.
The bank has been getting encouraging response in Bengaluru. Currently, over 35 per cent of all the start-up accounts opened after SmartUp launch are based here.
According to Mediratta, nationally, SmartUp zones are being launched in over 65 branches in 30 cities across India, including tier II/III cities that are emerging as start-up hubs. In order to enhance support to start-ups, the bank has deputed specially trained staff who will offer tailor-made banking and advisory solutions to entrepreneurs.
HDFC Bank, with the objective to harness the potential of start-ups and the fintech eco-system, recently launched an industry-academia interface through which it plans to work with the incubation and entrepreneurship cells at IIT Bombay, IIT Roorkee and IIM Ahmedabad to mentor start-ups at these institutions.