DCB has joined the band of private banks, which offer state-of-the-art facilities to their customers. The New Delhi branch is fully computerised, Y2K compliant, with phone banking and an ATM machine that will allow the bank to serve its customersround-the-clock and even on holidays. The bank has already installed the `Power Banker' software, which will enable it to give its customers services, including Anywhere Banking and Web-Based Banking, other than on-line asset-liability management and risk management.DCB chairman Naushad I Padamsee, who was in New Delhi for the inauguration of the branch, said this branch will be positioned as a corporate business branch with capabilities to cater to the needs of not only corporates, but also business groups, exporters and importers, and high net-worth individuals and NRIs.

Padamsee said the bank has sound fundamentals, which are reflected in its balance-sheet. ``As per the audited results for 1997-98, the bank's deposits grew by 40.5 per cent and stood at Rs 1,436.47 crore. Advances also increased during the year to cross Rs 700 crore, with a priority sector target of 40 per cent being achieved,'' he said.

``DCB's performance has been creditable, considering the difficult market environment and theinstability caused by political and external forces. It has achieved more than its planned goals and remains determined to fulfill its four basic objectives of customer satisfaction, shareholder value enhancement, staff motivation and social responsibility,'' adds Padamsee.Padamsee says with the entry of multinational banks and hi-tech methods of operation, competition has intensified, markets have expanded to cover new areas and conventional banking wisdom has been replaced with future-proof strategies. In its New Delhi branch, the bank will be looking to cater to the corporate sector, the third in its broad segment of customers, the other two being micro borrowers and the `traditional clientele' (those who have been banking with DCB since its inception).

The bank plans to open more branches in north India over the next few years, before expanding its operations in the international market. Says Padamsee about DCB's endeavours: ``The world will belong to firms that can continue to innovate and enhancecustomer value relentlessly and most readily. DCB strives to do just that.''