HDFC Bank seeks Singapore bank license to grow overseas
HDFC Bank, India’s largest private sector lender, is seeking approval for a banking license in Singapore. The bank aims to tap into the Indian diaspora in Singapore for savings and term deposits, as well as cross-sell products like mortgages. HDFC Bank already has a presence in London, Hong Kong, and Bahrain. With a customer base of 93 million, the bank is expanding its reach overseas after a merger with Housing Development Finance Corp. last year.
The bank has applied to the Monetary Authority of Singapore for a banking license and is awaiting approval, according to sources familiar with the matter. It is not clear what kind of banking license HDFC Bank is seeking in Singapore, said one of the people, who declined to be identified as the information is confidential.