``We have decided to tap the corporates in order to be able to disburse more loans. Under this scheme, we approach the corporate house with a scheme where if they adopt the scheme they can assure their employees of easy loans. In order to make the scheme popular, we have also decided to subsidise the rate of interest to the corporates,'' says General Manager (Operations) N N Reddy, who is in-charge of the northern zone of the banks operations.

He adds that the bank stands to gain by this, as the corporates ensure timely remittance of the loan via deductions from the salary of the employee. This plan has already been put into force at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL) and the Delhi Police. Talks are on with a host ofothers to see that thescheme is accepted by others.

``In addition to this scheme, we are also toying with the idea of also venturing into the sale of gold biscuits, as is being done by the State Bank of India. As of now we are thrashing out the modalities with regard to the import of these biscuits. The sale of these biscuits will be restricted to only two branches per metropolitan city in the first phase,'' says Reddy.

(The bank proposes to sell from one to 10 tola biscuits through these outlets). He adds that the bank is also planning to venture into the insurance sector, when it is opened up for private participation.

The bank has already decided to ensure that the mobilisation of savings this year is much better than the previous years. According to the general manager, for this he had initiated an exercise of door to door savings generation, wherein employees of the bank (branches of which are in the residential areas) would go to houses and tell the customers the advantages of saving with the Syndicate Bank.

Inorder to ensure that the employees of the bank are civil towards the customers, the bank has undertaken stringent training for the employees. The training programmes take place four times a year in the bank's training college based in Delhi. In addition to this, employees are also sent on external training programmes. ``Impressed with our customer dealings, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) had awarded us a prize amongst a host of companies picked up,'' adds Reddy.

Another novel scheme introduced mainly for the corporates is the `rapid call' one, wherein customers are ensured certain collection within seven days for a cheque anywhere in the world. ``This is also to ensurethat our customers are given adequate service quickly,'' adds the general manager.

The bank, which generates almost Rs 24,000-crore business annually (of which the Delhi zone generates Rs 5,000-crore business) is proposing to increase its number of branches from the current 1,600 to 2,000 by the turn of the century. Of this, 200 branchesalone will be opened up in the Delhi Zone.

``We are the second largest bank as regards our customer base with SBI being the first. We are hoping that our various schemes will ensure that we stay in the same position,'' he adds.

Besides, Syndicate Bank's personal banking schemes offer personal loans (for immediate personal requirement of finance), consumer loans, automobile loans, contingency loans (when a consumer faces a sudden need for money), education loans and housing loans. The education loans assist students to take up studies in arts, science, commerce, engineering, medicine, agriculture, veterinary science, dental science, law, management, computer education, pharmacy, ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy and nursing.

Says Reddy: ``Syndicate Bank believes in relationship banking. Our personal banking schemes are designed just for the masses.''