Axis Bank to increase retail loans portfolio

Axis Bank is planning to incline its retail loans andloan.
contribute about 25 Percent of the total loanTo strengthen retail banking, the bank has
portfolio within next two years. To realise thisresorted to some measures to mobilise its
ambition, the third largest private bank in India willbusiness operations further. "We have now divided
roll out 200-250 branches and around 1,000 ATMsbusiness responsibilities in 26 circles instead of four
every year.zones as it was earlier. Under one circle, there will
"We want to grow our retail assets and we hopebe 35-40 branches, which will be easy to handle
to tap the potential in smaller town and cities. Wefor a manager," revealed Chakrabarti.
are expecting to increase the share of retail loans"We are looking at the customer as an individual
to 25 Percent of our total advances in about twohaving requirement in all the spaces. Our branch
years," said Axis Bank executive director (retailexpansion will help us acquire more customers and
banking, SME & agri) SK Chakrabarti.thereby help multiply our retail banking business,"
In 2009-10, the bank's retail advances grew to Rshe added
20,823 Cr from the year-ago amount of RsTo strengthen retail banking, the bank has
16,052 Cr, a growth of 30 Percent year-on-year.resorted to some measures to mobilise its
At present, total advances of the bank stands atbusiness operations further. "We have now divided
Rs 1,04,343 Cr, which grew by 28 Percent y-o-y.business responsibilities in 26 circles instead of four
While mortgaged home loans form 70 Percent ofzones as it was earlier. Under one circle, there will
the bank's retail loans, the rest comes from creditbe 35-40 branches, which will be easy to handle
cards, auto  (in 4-wheeler segment) and personalfor a manager," revealed Chakrabarti.