India's second-largest lender ICICI Bank today announced 35% drop in net profit at Rs 743.76 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 when compared to Rs 1149.84 crore in the year-ago period.

In addition, the lender's total income also fell to Rs 9203.36 crore from Rs 10390.92 crore in the corresponding period in the previous year.

For the full-year ended March, ICICI Bank's net profit fell 9.40% percent to Rs 3758.13 crore, as compared to Rs 4157.73 crore for the year ended March 31, 2008.

In its latest research report, Nirmal Bang, an equity research firm said that ICICI Bank, which presently stuck in a band of 405-445, can give good returns within 4-5 trading session.

The report further stated that, if the counter is successful to breach 445, then it will create a huge breakout.

Nirmal Bang Research has advised its clients to hold the scrip with a target price of Rs 460-485.

ICICI Prudential AMC, a joint venture between ICICI Bank - one of India's foremost financial services companies, and UK-based Prudential plc - a leading international financial services group, has announced the launch of an open ended equity diversified fund, called the 'ICICI Prudential Target Returns Fund' in the Indian market.

The fund seeks to generate capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity shares of the large market capitalization companies constituting the BSE 100 index.

Substantiating the December 2008 reports that some top-rung executives of ICICI Bank may quit after Chanda Kochhar's appointment as the new CEO and MD, two business chiefs - Renuka Ramnath ICICI Ventures' Managing Director and CEO; and Shikha Sharma, Managing Director of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance - are likely to put in their papers, sooner than later.

ICICI Home Finance, the housing finance arm of the largest private sector bank in the country, on Thursday began selling subordinated bonds to raise Rs 100 crore.

The latest move was taken by the company to meet its fund requirements.

According to company official, the amount is being raised as subordinated debt and carries a coupon rate of 9.75 per cent, payable annually. The issue will close on April 20.

ICICI Securities Primary Dealership, ICICI Bank and IDFC-SSKI are reported as arrangers to the deal.

Software services firm 3i Infotech Ltd. has entered into strategic partnerships with ICICI Lombard, Airtel and Max New York Life to offer a comprehensive range of services to rural consumers under the I-SERV brand.

It may be noted that through I-SERV stores, consumers especially in remote rural areas will get an access to a range of value added services that will improve their quality of life. These stores will deliver services related to Banking, Insurance, Mobile, Education, Ticketing and Utilities.