The United Western Bank Ltd Stock Analysis

United Western Bank Ltd was incorporated on October 17, 1936 under the Indian Companies Act, 1913. The Bank was founded by “Vima Maharshi” Late Shri W. G. alias Annasaheb Chirmule in 1936 as a part of Swadeshi Movement.

The Bank offers diversified products including financing of Two and Four Wheelers, Housing Finance, Commercial Vehicles, Corporate Finance, Export Finance, Finance for Education and Finance to SMEs, etc.

The Bank is a part of National Financial Switch (NFS) and through this the customers of the Bank can operate their account from more than 5000 locations, besides the Bank has its own ATMs at 65 centres.

Services offered by the bank

Personal BankingThe Bank offers a total value package; a one-stop shop for all Banking needs of customers. The Bank undertakes thorough research to decide needs of customers and provide the right solution in the form of product, with speed and efficiency, for their maximum benefit. Bank is committed to provide customized services designed to suit individual requirements of its customers like deposits, loans, general insurance, utility bill payments, etc.

Anywhere Anytime Banking (AWANTI) :

AWANTI i.e. Multi Branch Banking is a special facility that allows to operate Savings or Current account in any city through a Network of branches other than the branch where the account is held. At present, this facility is available at 170-networked branches across the country. Multi City Payable at par cheques, a unique technology driven service is available for savings, current and cash credit accounts holders where in cheques are payable at par in 85 centres across the country. Specially designed cheque book is made available to these account holders.

The Multi Branch Banking account has many features including Cash withdrawals at non -base branch (other than the branch where the account is maintained) up to a certain limit per day. The scheme also provides for fast collection of cheques and speedy transfer of funds. The Multi Branch Banking account gives flexibility and convenience to the customers throughout the country.

AWANTI ATMs :

The Bank has a network of 65 ATMs at strategic business centers. These ATMs are linked to the network of more than 5000 ATMs across the country through National Financial Switch under special tie-up arrangement with IDRBT, Hyderabad. Customers of the Bank can access their account from any of the ATMs of 11 leading Banks like ICICI Bank, Punjab National Bank, Corporation Bank, Andhra Bank, HDFC Bank, etc. who are the members of National Financial Switch.

The AWANTI ATM Card facilitates the card-holders to link 14 accounts to a single card. This gives a facility to use one card to access & withdraw from any accounts of United Western Bank’s networked branches.

Foreign Remittances:

The Bank has tied-up with Western Union Money Transfer for effecting foreign currency remittances.

Deposit Products

Bank’s basket of financial products include Fixed Deposits such as Dhanadhara, Dhanachakra and Dhanakhsaya, Yasho Dhana deposit, Student Plus deposit, Cumulative deposit, Gulmohor; Annuity scheme, Non Resident foreign currency (domestic) account, NRI services, Senior citizens deposit scheme, etc.

Loan Products

The Bank’s loan products suite include Dnyanavardhini scheme for education loans for higher education in India and/or abroad, Vastupurti scheme for home loans, Sobati Scheme for personal loans, various products for agricultural Term and Demand loans, etc.

Business Banking

The Bank understands the dynamics of competition in today’s fast changing world. Bank also understands the growth need of every business irrespective of the size. It offers a variety of tailor made Banking products to help customer business get the edge in this competitive environment.

The Bank provides Working Capital Finance, Term Loans and Infrastructure Finance, by providing these type of finances to start an industry, working capital, both fund based and non -fund based suited to all sectors of Industry. The Bank has set up Specialised SME Cells at strategic business centers to cater to the needs of small and medium enterprises. It has a specialized hi-tech agricultural branch at Kolhapur, which undertakes financing of hi-tech agri projects, besides the regular agriculture finance.

Insurance Services

In conformity with its endeavour to become a financial supermarket and to provide total financial solutions to its customers, the Bank has diversified into the marketing of general insurance products of New India Assurance Co. Ltd. Bank has identified and trained its staff to market the insurance business.

Infrastructure Finance

The Bank provides financing for all kinds of infrastructure projects, such as, Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution, Road constructions, Construction of Bridges on the Road / Railway Lines, Air/ Sea Port-development activities, Telecom, Water supply system, Urban Development etc.

International Banking and Forex Business

The Bank has an International Banking Division at Mumbai to support International Trade business undertaken by its Branches. The branches are well equipped, with sophisticated infrastructure to efficiently handle transactions and are SWIFT enabled for speedy conduct and execution of transactions. The Bank has introduced “ GOLDCARD SCHEME” for creditworthy exporters with sound track record for easy availability for export finance. The scheme enables following benefits :

1) Concession in rate of interest on Rupee Credit.2) Standby limit of 20 per cent of sanctioned limit to meet urgent working capital needs.3) Priority in meeting Packing Credit in Foreign Currency (PCFC) and concessional charges / fee structure including processing charges.

In 2006 it came out with a public issue of 1,79,32,633 equity shares to enhance the capital adequacy ratio by augmenting Tier I capital.