by NR INDRAN

HDFC Bank, the largest credit card issuer in the country, has launched a pack of three premium credit cards that will make air travel for the affluent a walk in the air. With the Global Indian logging thousands of air miles to set his footprint across the world, the formidable trio of Regalia, Superia and Platinum Edge will offer them a complete solution to all their travel needs.

If Infinia (launched on July 12), our virtually “no-limits” credit card, has redefined the concept of luxury, these travel cards will ensure a smooth flight for the well-heeled. The cards come loaded with unique privileges with the USP being their reward point redemption system which gives one the freedom to choose from a wide array of airlines to cash in on the air miles accumulated on the card.

HDFC Bank is proud to launch these cards in the IT and travel hub of Bengaluru which boasts of one of the finest airports in India. The city is home to many a frequent traveller and according to the latest Airports Authority of India passenger traffic report, international aircraft movement in Bengaluru jumped 10.9% in May 2011 — the highest in India. The city was also ahead of the curve in international passenger traffic growth during the period, registering growth of 8.1% compared to the national average of 7.6%.

Pralay Mondal, Country Head, Retail Assets and Credit Cards, HDFC Bank, said: “HDFC Bank already enjoys the highest mind- and wallet-share in credit cards in India. With this range of products, we have addressed all possible needs that a Global Indian traveller may have. We want to see these travel cards in the wallet of every jet-setter in India.”

The range of cards will be available on both VISA and MasterCard platforms. The Bank has a credit card base of 50.5 lakh as of March 31, 2011.

Promoted in 1995 by Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), India’s leading housing finance company, HDFC Bank is one of India’s premier banks providing a wide range of financial products and services to its 21 million customers across hundreds of Indian cities using multiple distribution channels including a pan-India network of branches, ATMs, phone banking, net banking and mobile banking. Within a relatively short span of time, the bank has emerged as a leading player in retail banking, wholesale banking, and treasury operations, its three principal business segments.

The bank’s competitive strength clearly lies in the use of technology and the ability to deliver world-class service with rapid response time. Over the last 16 years, the bank has successfully gained market share in its target customer franchises while maintaining healthy profitability and asset quality.

As of June 30, 2011, the Bank had a distribution network with 2,111 branches and 5,998 ATMs in 1,111 cities.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2011, the Bank’s total income was INR 70.98 billion (`7,098.0 crore) as against INR 54.11 billion (`5,411.0 crore) for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. Net revenues (net interest income plus other income) were INR 39.68 billion (`3,968.0 crore) for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, as against INR 33.92 billion (`3,392.0 crore) for the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Net Profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 was INR 10.85 billion (`1,085.0 crore), up by 33.7% over the corresponding quarter ended June 30, 2010.

The Bank’s total balance sheet size increased by 22.6% to INR 2859.42 billion (`285,942 crore) as of June 30, 2011. Total deposits were INR 2111.51 billion (`211,151 crore) as of June 30, 2011.

Total income for the year ended March 31, 2011 were INR 242.63 billion (`24263.4 crore).

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