Global uncertainties not to impact overseas expansion: BoB

Bank of Baroda (BoB) today said it was expanding its overseas presence in Kenya, Uganda, Australia, New Zealand and Gulf countries with 15 more foreign branches by March 2012 despite economic uncertainty in the US and Europe.

"BoB's overseas business is growing at 35% annual rate even as developing counties are not doing too well and taking time to recover from the global economic stress in 2008," BoB Chairman MD Mallya said here today on the sidelines of a Ficci organised banking conclave.

"Our overall business model that we follow overseas is largely India-linked. And as the Indian economy is going strong, the impact of the latest global financial crisis will not be much," Mallya said when asked about the impact of the global economic uncertainty on the bank.

About 24% of its business comes from overseas operation.

Mallya said the bank's overseas portfolio would not get affected much even as there could be short-term liquidity mismatch.

Meanwhile, the bank has decided to hold 40% in its proposed Malaysian joint venture with Indian Overseas Bank and Andhra Bank.

He said the JV would be set up with an initial capital of Rs 380 crore.

Source: Business Standard