HDFC Bank has opened 19 branches in a day in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), outdoing its own record of 14 branches in a day in October 2005.

With the launch of 19 branches on Saturday (June 2), the total number of branches in Delhi and NCR has gone up to 116 and to 270 in North India. As on March 31, 2007 the bank had a network of 684 branches and 1,605 ATMs in 316 towns and cities.

HDFC Bank was established in August 1994 as HDFC Bank Limited. As of December 31, 2006, the bank had a India network of 684 branches in 316 cities in India and over 1663 ATM's. The Bank started its operations as a Scheduled Commercial Bank in January 1995.

India’s largest house finance banking company HDFC has announced raised lending rates by 75 basis points for new loan seekers, and on the other hand, the interest rate is up 50 bps for the existing customers.

The 50 bps hike will translate into a Rs 32 hike each month on a loan of Rs 1 lakh borrowed for 20 years. Yet HDFC’s after hike rates are cheaper than its nearest rival ICICI Bank which annunciated a rate hike last Week. Last week, ICICI Bank increased its benchmark advance rate to 15.75%, while Yes Bank hiked its PLR to 14.75%. However, the state-owned banks are yet to consider their lending rates.