ABN Amro Bank’s country executive Meera Sanyal said in Mumbai that there has been rise in the number of personal loan defaulters in its India operations.
"This is a part of the credit cycle, we have to be careful with it. The whole banking sector has to deal with this," Sanyal said.
But she refused to give out the count of the bank's personal loan portfolio in India.
She added in the current economic slowdown conditions the medium term growth will be slow but expects good growth in the long term.
Adding to this Sanyal said by October inflation might touch 13-14 percent but after that it will decrease off.
"Since the oil and commodities prices are falling, in the long run there will be a strong consumer demand," Sanyal added.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Consumers postpone upgrades as inflation takes its toll
Monetary tightening by the Reserve Bank of India to control the sharp rise in prices has checked the march of Indian consumers up the consumer electronics value chain.
Several dealers as well as manufacturers told Business Standard that there is a sharp fall in “repeat” customers that upgrade their buying choices by as much 40 to 50 per cent, it is learnt. Know more about Citibank Credit Card here their all new rewards point and cashback offers which are valid only for some limited time.
“Given the economic situation right now, it is natural that consumers have deferred their purchase or upgrade time,” said Godrej & Boyce Chief Operating Officer (appliances division) George Menezes.
Last year the market for premium air-conditioners recorded a growth rate of nearly 60 per cent. This year, growth has dropped to around 27 per cent. For high-end frost-free refrigerators growth has slowed from 30 to 10 per cent over the past two years.
Premium consumer durables typically accounted for 25 to 30 per cent of sales last year; this year, the proportion has shrunk to 15 to 20 per cent.
However, flat panel display(FPD) televisions, being an emerging category in India, still haven’t seen a significant slowdown.
“Many people have deferred their decision to upgrade to premium products,” confirmed Samsung India Managing Director Ravinder Zutshi, adding: “The sentiment to upgrade exists but the current economic conditions have led to a delay in purchases.”
“Many second-time buyers who wish to upgrade come and inquire about the discount or finance schemes available but since neither option is available they choose not to buy,” said a Delhi-based dealer, unwilling to be identified, adding: “The sale of high-end products has suffered the most in this situation.”
Over the past few years, customers in the Rs 32,000-crore consumer durables market had been upgrading at a fast clip. In televisions, the market had moved from curved screens to flat screens and there were signals that it would now move to LCDs. Customers also rapidly migrated to high-end fridges, washing machines, microwave ovens and air-conditioners.
But the speed of this upgrading has now decelerated. According to sector expert Harish Bijoor Consults Inc CEO Harish Bijoor, the inflation spiral and the lack of easy availability of consumer finance have created a definite “postponement of purchase syndrome” in the durables market.
Not only have interest rates gone up sharply in the last few months, several consumer finance companies have stopped lending for purchase of consumer durables. With GE Money, ICICI Bank and Citibank now out of the segment, only Bajaj and Shriram are left in the field, apart from the smaller in-house lending from dealers.
Naturally, consumer durable makers are worried. “Fewer financing options will have a definite bearing on sales,” said LG Electronics India Director (marketing and sales) V Ramachandran.
“Manufacturers will definitely have to re-look their pricing if they want sales to pick up, otherwise they will have a big inventory pile-up to deal with. They will then also need to look at newer ways of liquidating inventories,” added Bijoor.
Even as the industry gears up for the upcoming festival season, most companies are wary of what lies ahead. “The impact on the bottom line is evident but the top line is still not under stress. But we are concerned about the uncertainty that lies ahead,” said Ramachandran.
Several dealers as well as manufacturers told Business Standard that there is a sharp fall in “repeat” customers that upgrade their buying choices by as much 40 to 50 per cent, it is learnt. Know more about Citibank Credit Card here their all new rewards point and cashback offers which are valid only for some limited time.
“Given the economic situation right now, it is natural that consumers have deferred their purchase or upgrade time,” said Godrej & Boyce Chief Operating Officer (appliances division) George Menezes.
Last year the market for premium air-conditioners recorded a growth rate of nearly 60 per cent. This year, growth has dropped to around 27 per cent. For high-end frost-free refrigerators growth has slowed from 30 to 10 per cent over the past two years.
Premium consumer durables typically accounted for 25 to 30 per cent of sales last year; this year, the proportion has shrunk to 15 to 20 per cent.
However, flat panel display(FPD) televisions, being an emerging category in India, still haven’t seen a significant slowdown.
“Many people have deferred their decision to upgrade to premium products,” confirmed Samsung India Managing Director Ravinder Zutshi, adding: “The sentiment to upgrade exists but the current economic conditions have led to a delay in purchases.”
“Many second-time buyers who wish to upgrade come and inquire about the discount or finance schemes available but since neither option is available they choose not to buy,” said a Delhi-based dealer, unwilling to be identified, adding: “The sale of high-end products has suffered the most in this situation.”
Over the past few years, customers in the Rs 32,000-crore consumer durables market had been upgrading at a fast clip. In televisions, the market had moved from curved screens to flat screens and there were signals that it would now move to LCDs. Customers also rapidly migrated to high-end fridges, washing machines, microwave ovens and air-conditioners.
But the speed of this upgrading has now decelerated. According to sector expert Harish Bijoor Consults Inc CEO Harish Bijoor, the inflation spiral and the lack of easy availability of consumer finance have created a definite “postponement of purchase syndrome” in the durables market.
Not only have interest rates gone up sharply in the last few months, several consumer finance companies have stopped lending for purchase of consumer durables. With GE Money, ICICI Bank and Citibank now out of the segment, only Bajaj and Shriram are left in the field, apart from the smaller in-house lending from dealers.
Naturally, consumer durable makers are worried. “Fewer financing options will have a definite bearing on sales,” said LG Electronics India Director (marketing and sales) V Ramachandran.
“Manufacturers will definitely have to re-look their pricing if they want sales to pick up, otherwise they will have a big inventory pile-up to deal with. They will then also need to look at newer ways of liquidating inventories,” added Bijoor.
Even as the industry gears up for the upcoming festival season, most companies are wary of what lies ahead. “The impact on the bottom line is evident but the top line is still not under stress. But we are concerned about the uncertainty that lies ahead,” said Ramachandran.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Where is Citibank headed in India?
He’s just finished a meeting with the promoter of a large Indian corporation who wants to raise half a billion dollars and is sitting in his 5th-floor office in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla commercial complex. “Business is flowing in for us,” says Sanjay Nayar, the dapper 46-year-old CEO of Citigroup’s Indian operations and Area Head for Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The spacious room has a busy air about it and is cluttered with dozens of coffee table books but that doesn’t seem to bother Nayar, who is squeezing in meeting after meeting into his busy day. A client here, a colleague there, a couple of exit interviews… Get the latest updated citibank fixed deposit rates to select the best tenure plan for making some good profits.
Nayar’s just back from a meeting with Citigroup’s global CEO, Vikram Pandit in Citi’s New York headquarters, where things are far more down-tempo than they are here in India. There Pandit, 51, who took charge at the bank in December 2007, is grappling with the onerous task of restructuring Citi’s global balance sheet.
The biggest bank in the US has been hit hard by the subprime crisis with losses and writedowns mounting close to $50 billion since mid-2007. What’s scaring Citibankers in India and elsewhere is Pandit’s declaration that he wants to sell assets worth $400 billion over the next three years. Recently, the bank sold its German banking operations for $7.7 billion to France’s Crédit Mutuel and speculation is rife about a possible offloading of Citi’s non-core assets in Japan.
Back in India, Nayar, too, has his plate full, although Citi’s Indian operations are far better off than what its global situation looks like. Still, his troubles are irksome. Recently, three key Citi executives left the bank—Rajesh Mayani, Director of institutional sales, Ratnesh Kumar, head of research and Narayan Mulchandani, director (sales), in Hong Kong, signed up with a local Indian stockbroking firm, Anand Rathi Securities. Besides these, two others, Anil Gudibande, director and Ashish Pitale, director, global banking, moved to AIG Private Equity and Deutsche Bank, respectively.
The spacious room has a busy air about it and is cluttered with dozens of coffee table books but that doesn’t seem to bother Nayar, who is squeezing in meeting after meeting into his busy day. A client here, a colleague there, a couple of exit interviews… Get the latest updated citibank fixed deposit rates to select the best tenure plan for making some good profits.
Nayar’s just back from a meeting with Citigroup’s global CEO, Vikram Pandit in Citi’s New York headquarters, where things are far more down-tempo than they are here in India. There Pandit, 51, who took charge at the bank in December 2007, is grappling with the onerous task of restructuring Citi’s global balance sheet.
The biggest bank in the US has been hit hard by the subprime crisis with losses and writedowns mounting close to $50 billion since mid-2007. What’s scaring Citibankers in India and elsewhere is Pandit’s declaration that he wants to sell assets worth $400 billion over the next three years. Recently, the bank sold its German banking operations for $7.7 billion to France’s Crédit Mutuel and speculation is rife about a possible offloading of Citi’s non-core assets in Japan.
Back in India, Nayar, too, has his plate full, although Citi’s Indian operations are far better off than what its global situation looks like. Still, his troubles are irksome. Recently, three key Citi executives left the bank—Rajesh Mayani, Director of institutional sales, Ratnesh Kumar, head of research and Narayan Mulchandani, director (sales), in Hong Kong, signed up with a local Indian stockbroking firm, Anand Rathi Securities. Besides these, two others, Anil Gudibande, director and Ashish Pitale, director, global banking, moved to AIG Private Equity and Deutsche Bank, respectively.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Citigroup may sell its India HQ
The subprime mortgage market collapse of last year may have an impact on one of the landmark buildings in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). According to real estate market sources, the New York-headquartered Citibank, which has been hit hard due to the crisis, is believed to be actively considering to put its eight-storey tower Citigroup Centre on the block.
When contacted, a spokesperson refused to comment and said the organisation does not discuss these issues with the media. However, reliable sources told TOI that since the past few months word is out in the property market about the imminent sale of Citigroup Centre. With close to 2 lakh sq ft of built up area, the building could fetch anywhere between Rs 500 crore to Rs 800 crore, according to a market estimate.
Those in the know said that after hiving of this prime BKC property, the bank will lease back the same premises. In February, Citigroup had completed a deal in this fashion with its building in Tokyo, Japan. The transaction was, what is called, a sale-and-lease back deal of the Citigroup Center in the Shinagawa district of Tokyo. Citigroup sold this building to its rival Morgan Stanley in a deal reportedly worth $445 million (approx Rs 1,800 crore).
It was almost a decade ago that Citibank moved its main offices from Nariman Point to the BKC. This decision to relocate led to heads rolling — two senior officials in Mumbai were sacked after top bank officials from New York found the BKC location completely desolate and inappropriate. This was in the late 1990s when BKC was yet relatively undeveloped and the top bankers from the US found it sacrilegious that their counterparts in Mumbai had thought of shifting away from Nariman Point, the numero uno commercial district.
The Citibank has been shedding its real estate (mainly apartments) all over the country. In the past one year, it has sold more than half a dozen flats in Mumbai alone.
These include a flat each in Meher Apartments (Altamount Road), Kanti on Mt Mary Road in Bandra, Hormuzd off Carter Road, NCPA Apartment at Nariman Point and as many as five apartments at Harbour Heights building, Colaba.
When contacted, a spokesperson refused to comment and said the organisation does not discuss these issues with the media. However, reliable sources told TOI that since the past few months word is out in the property market about the imminent sale of Citigroup Centre. With close to 2 lakh sq ft of built up area, the building could fetch anywhere between Rs 500 crore to Rs 800 crore, according to a market estimate.
Those in the know said that after hiving of this prime BKC property, the bank will lease back the same premises. In February, Citigroup had completed a deal in this fashion with its building in Tokyo, Japan. The transaction was, what is called, a sale-and-lease back deal of the Citigroup Center in the Shinagawa district of Tokyo. Citigroup sold this building to its rival Morgan Stanley in a deal reportedly worth $445 million (approx Rs 1,800 crore).
It was almost a decade ago that Citibank moved its main offices from Nariman Point to the BKC. This decision to relocate led to heads rolling — two senior officials in Mumbai were sacked after top bank officials from New York found the BKC location completely desolate and inappropriate. This was in the late 1990s when BKC was yet relatively undeveloped and the top bankers from the US found it sacrilegious that their counterparts in Mumbai had thought of shifting away from Nariman Point, the numero uno commercial district.
The Citibank has been shedding its real estate (mainly apartments) all over the country. In the past one year, it has sold more than half a dozen flats in Mumbai alone.
These include a flat each in Meher Apartments (Altamount Road), Kanti on Mt Mary Road in Bandra, Hormuzd off Carter Road, NCPA Apartment at Nariman Point and as many as five apartments at Harbour Heights building, Colaba.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Citi plans to overhaul bonus system
India-born Vikram Pandit led world's biggest bank Citigroup is planning to overhaul its bonus system, aimed to increase co-operation and minimise in-fighting among disparate parts of the conglomerate, a media report said.
"Citigroup is planning to overhaul its bonus system for hundreds of top managers in an effort to increase co-operation and minimise in-fighting among the disparate parts of the sprawling financial services conglomerate," the Financial Times reported.
Citi, which has incurred losses of about $15 billion in the past two quarters, is expected to witness further billions of dollars of write-downs, related to the subprime crisis.
Recent media reports said that Citi would slash 10 per cent of its 65,000-strong investment banking workforce globally.
According to the Financial Times, the move is part of Pandit's plan to restore the group's battered fortunes by harnessing synergies between its investment banking, commercial banking and wealth management divisions.
The Financial Times said that Pandit has rebuffed calls to break up Citi and vowed to eliminate barriers between the firm's businesses to fully exploit its universal banking model.
Quoting a Citi executive, the newspaper said, "The new compensation plan is absolutely crucial to put teeth behind Vikram Pandit's strategy," and added, "We have to put a premium on partnership-like behaviour."
Further, quoting people close to the situation, the UK daily noted that Pandit wanted to change the way bonuses were calculated to reward co-operation across different divisions and the performance of the company as a whole.
"Citigroup is planning to overhaul its bonus system for hundreds of top managers in an effort to increase co-operation and minimise in-fighting among the disparate parts of the sprawling financial services conglomerate," the Financial Times reported.
Citi, which has incurred losses of about $15 billion in the past two quarters, is expected to witness further billions of dollars of write-downs, related to the subprime crisis.
Recent media reports said that Citi would slash 10 per cent of its 65,000-strong investment banking workforce globally.
According to the Financial Times, the move is part of Pandit's plan to restore the group's battered fortunes by harnessing synergies between its investment banking, commercial banking and wealth management divisions.
The Financial Times said that Pandit has rebuffed calls to break up Citi and vowed to eliminate barriers between the firm's businesses to fully exploit its universal banking model.
Quoting a Citi executive, the newspaper said, "The new compensation plan is absolutely crucial to put teeth behind Vikram Pandit's strategy," and added, "We have to put a premium on partnership-like behaviour."
Further, quoting people close to the situation, the UK daily noted that Pandit wanted to change the way bonuses were calculated to reward co-operation across different divisions and the performance of the company as a whole.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Citibank Launches Citigold Global Banking
Citibank today announced the launch of Citigold Global Banking, a premium Banking and wealth management service exclusive to Citigold clients. The new Citigold Global Banking program takes financial mobility to a whole new level by enhancing the banking experience for Citigold clients not just in India but also around the world. This initiative leverages on Citi's strong worldwide presence to offer cross-border banking products and services to internationally mobile Citigold clients. India is among a select group of countries in the Asia Pacific region where this service has been launched today.
Citigold is Citibank’s wealth management business for its mass affluent client segment that provides a holistic suite of both retail banking and wealth management products and solutions that include investments, insurance, mortgage, business banking, retirement planning, succession planning and wealth transfer. Today, Citibank serves over 400,000 Citigold clients in Asia Pacific (ex Japan), underscoring the global financial institution’s leadership in the wealth management space.
As the economy and business environment in India continues to grow, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors in the region have more financial interests today that span multiple countries and currencies. The trend of Indian talent taking on additional job responsibilities that result in expatriate or overseas assignments also continues to rise. Often, simple and routine transactions such as opening a bank account, remitting money, buying a house, taking a loan in case of emergencies become complicated in foreign lands. Citi has estimated that, on average, the mass affluent segment in Asia Pacific is growing at about 15% on an annual basis.
“Today we live in a global village. As the world gets smaller, the needs of affluent clients get bigger. When people travel from country to country, a big area of concern is the loss of their ‘home’ banking relationship, their credit history, and easy access to their accounts from anywhere in the world. Citi understands that situation, which is why we developed a global ‘passport” through Citigold Global Banking to address our clients’ needs anytime, anywhere,” said Mr. T. R. Ramachandran, Head, Retail Banking, Citibank N.A., India.
Citigold Global Banking provides an easy transition for clients, enabling them to open bank accounts, get credit cards, enjoy Citigold status worldwide, transfer funds conveniently and gain access to a powerful global network of branches and ATMs with emergency cash withdrawal facilities. This service is further facilitated through Global Support Centers and a Global Banking Website that allows a snapshot view of all accounts and relationships that the client has with Citi around the world.
Mr. Sameer Kaul, Head, Branch Banking, Citibank N. A., India added, “Our Citigold clients lead busy lives and they expect transactions, particularly cross-border financial transactions, to be faster, safer and more convenient than ever before. Citigold Global Banking is able to deliver on all these areas. Our clients’ local banking will now seamlessly merge with their global banking requirements. These are the advantages of Citi’s global reach, scale, and expertise.”
Citigold Global Banking Benefits
-- Pre-Arrival Account Opening – Before the Citigold client reaches a foreign country, Citi will be able to start the account opening process and in most cases even have the accounts opened before the client reaches the foreign shores, depending on the regulatory norms in the foreign country. Using a client’s credit history, Citigold relationship managers can also help them open a credit card account for immediate access to credit upon arrival.
-- Global Support - Citigold clients have access to logistical and emergency support through an unparalleled network of more than 4,000 Citibank branches in 43 countries. Citi has also established four Global Support Centers in Europe, Asia, North and South America with teams of specially-trained staff members able to offer personalized cross-border account opening assistance to Citigold customers through the entire application process.
-- Global Recognition - Citigold clients can transfer their Citigold status from country to country, whether relocating or traveling, to enjoy the privileges, recognition and status they are accustomed to.
-- Citigold Center Access – Access will be provided at over 550 Citigold Centers in 36 countries, including lounges and meeting rooms, as well as free use of telephone, fax and the Internet services.
-- Emergency Cash Withdrawal – In the event of emergencies, and subject to proper verification, Indian Citigold customers can obtain the equivalent of up to US$2,000 from their accounts, at the designated Citi branches overseas.
-- Toll-free Global Hotline (800-CITI-CODE) – Indian Citigold customers traveling abroad can contact their home Citigold Customer Service hotline via a single toll-free, global number to request assistance with their accounts.
Citigold is Citibank’s wealth management business for its mass affluent client segment that provides a holistic suite of both retail banking and wealth management products and solutions that include investments, insurance, mortgage, business banking, retirement planning, succession planning and wealth transfer. Today, Citibank serves over 400,000 Citigold clients in Asia Pacific (ex Japan), underscoring the global financial institution’s leadership in the wealth management space.
As the economy and business environment in India continues to grow, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors in the region have more financial interests today that span multiple countries and currencies. The trend of Indian talent taking on additional job responsibilities that result in expatriate or overseas assignments also continues to rise. Often, simple and routine transactions such as opening a bank account, remitting money, buying a house, taking a loan in case of emergencies become complicated in foreign lands. Citi has estimated that, on average, the mass affluent segment in Asia Pacific is growing at about 15% on an annual basis.
“Today we live in a global village. As the world gets smaller, the needs of affluent clients get bigger. When people travel from country to country, a big area of concern is the loss of their ‘home’ banking relationship, their credit history, and easy access to their accounts from anywhere in the world. Citi understands that situation, which is why we developed a global ‘passport” through Citigold Global Banking to address our clients’ needs anytime, anywhere,” said Mr. T. R. Ramachandran, Head, Retail Banking, Citibank N.A., India.
Citigold Global Banking provides an easy transition for clients, enabling them to open bank accounts, get credit cards, enjoy Citigold status worldwide, transfer funds conveniently and gain access to a powerful global network of branches and ATMs with emergency cash withdrawal facilities. This service is further facilitated through Global Support Centers and a Global Banking Website that allows a snapshot view of all accounts and relationships that the client has with Citi around the world.
Mr. Sameer Kaul, Head, Branch Banking, Citibank N. A., India added, “Our Citigold clients lead busy lives and they expect transactions, particularly cross-border financial transactions, to be faster, safer and more convenient than ever before. Citigold Global Banking is able to deliver on all these areas. Our clients’ local banking will now seamlessly merge with their global banking requirements. These are the advantages of Citi’s global reach, scale, and expertise.”
Citigold Global Banking Benefits
-- Pre-Arrival Account Opening – Before the Citigold client reaches a foreign country, Citi will be able to start the account opening process and in most cases even have the accounts opened before the client reaches the foreign shores, depending on the regulatory norms in the foreign country. Using a client’s credit history, Citigold relationship managers can also help them open a credit card account for immediate access to credit upon arrival.
-- Global Support - Citigold clients have access to logistical and emergency support through an unparalleled network of more than 4,000 Citibank branches in 43 countries. Citi has also established four Global Support Centers in Europe, Asia, North and South America with teams of specially-trained staff members able to offer personalized cross-border account opening assistance to Citigold customers through the entire application process.
-- Global Recognition - Citigold clients can transfer their Citigold status from country to country, whether relocating or traveling, to enjoy the privileges, recognition and status they are accustomed to.
-- Citigold Center Access – Access will be provided at over 550 Citigold Centers in 36 countries, including lounges and meeting rooms, as well as free use of telephone, fax and the Internet services.
-- Emergency Cash Withdrawal – In the event of emergencies, and subject to proper verification, Indian Citigold customers can obtain the equivalent of up to US$2,000 from their accounts, at the designated Citi branches overseas.
-- Toll-free Global Hotline (800-CITI-CODE) – Indian Citigold customers traveling abroad can contact their home Citigold Customer Service hotline via a single toll-free, global number to request assistance with their accounts.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Citibank launches Citigold Global Banking
Private sector lender Citibank on Monday announced the launch of a banking and wealth management service Citigold Global Banking for its Citigold clients.
The service would enhance the banking experience for Citigold clients not just in the country but also around the world, a release issued here said.
"When people travel from abroad, a big area of concern is the loss of their 'home' banking relationship, their credit history, and easy access to their accounts. Citigold Global Banking is a passport to address our clients' need anytime, anywhere," Citibank's Head (Retail Banking), T R Ramachandran, said.
It provides an easy transition for clients, enabling them to open bank accounts, get credit cards, enjoy Citigold status worldwide, transfer funds conveniently and gain access to a global network of branches and ATMs with emergency cash withdrawal facilities.
It is further facilitated through global support centres and a global banking website that allows a snapshot view of all accounts and relationships that the clients have with Citi around the world.
The service would enhance the banking experience for Citigold clients not just in the country but also around the world, a release issued here said.
"When people travel from abroad, a big area of concern is the loss of their 'home' banking relationship, their credit history, and easy access to their accounts. Citigold Global Banking is a passport to address our clients' need anytime, anywhere," Citibank's Head (Retail Banking), T R Ramachandran, said.
It provides an easy transition for clients, enabling them to open bank accounts, get credit cards, enjoy Citigold status worldwide, transfer funds conveniently and gain access to a global network of branches and ATMs with emergency cash withdrawal facilities.
It is further facilitated through global support centres and a global banking website that allows a snapshot view of all accounts and relationships that the clients have with Citi around the world.
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