HDFC, ICICI Bank rates up for $ deposits
Mumbai: Hardening overseas rates, tough competition and strong client demand is forcing banks to tweak their FCNR (B) offerings to attract maximum dollars as banks get into the busy season of the special scheme.ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank, two of the largest private sector banks have both hiked a section of their FCNR (B) rates noting the changed scenario. With overseas rates also higher more banks could join in hiking rates in this scheme, people familiar with banks' plans said.While ICICI has hiked the rate on its FCNR (B) deposits for $5 million or above to 6.25% from 6%, HDFC has raised rate uniformly on its three- to five-year (FCNR) (B) dollar deposits by 25 basis points basis points to 6.25% from 6%. A senior bank executive said that the higher rates are a function of the market and competition. "The tweaks are required to keep rates competitive which is what large banks have done. Also the fact is overseas rates have gone up and borrowing is more expensive so banks have t...