HDFC Bank Netbanking

I don't know what's happening with my HDFC account. I was unable to login to my netbanking account for quite some days, and the site seems to be down. Earlier in the evening, I was not able to access my account from an ATM either. Some system maintenance thingy. I wish they could have scheduled it better like late night or so.

Quite inconvenient and a source of concern, as I have issued out a few cheques and have no clue if my account needs more funds moved for them, or if the balance is adequate. I wonder who takes responsibility if my cheques bounce?

How to pay online MTNL bill

MTNL now allows you to pay your bills online using the billdesk service. Its really quite simple, but I can explain for whatever its worth.

Go to the MTNL Selfcare page. You don't need an account or anything. Just be sure to have a copy of your bill (or know your customer account number), and either your login for your online account, or your credit card.

In the form provided, fill in your details - your landline phone number and customer account number, and hit view details.

The results should display your current outstanding amount. Fill in the fields for contact details, and opt for online payment.

Then, it is simply a matter of selecting mode of payment, logging in to your online bank account, or adding credit card details, and submitting until done.

Just be sure to follow instructions exactly as given.

Difference between RTGS and NEFT

As more and more people are turning to online banking out of sheer convenience, there is this whole dust cloud about what exactly is the difference between RTGS and NEFT transactions.

I am not a banker, but highlighting some of the differences I know:

1. RTGS is Real Time Gross Settlement. NEFT is National Electronic Funds Transfer
2. RTGS goes through the Reserve Bank NEFT is between banks.
3. RTGS happens real time during the working hours of RTGS (09:00am to 03:30pm from Monday to Friday and 09:00am to 11:00am on Saturdays) - instantly - the benificiary bank transfers the funds to the individuals account within two hours. NEFT transactions are recorded and processed as batches 6 times a day (9.30 AM,10.30AM,
   12.00 noon, 1.00PM, 3.00PM and 4.00 PM) from Monday to Friday and 3 times during Satudays (9.30AM, 10.30 AM and 12.00 noon)
4. RTGS is recommended for sums of money greater than one lakh rupees. NEFT transactions have no limits.
5. NEFT transactions are limited to rupees and remitances can't be made to foreign banks.

Regardless of what transaction type you opt for, there is certain information required in both - Account name and number, bank, branck, IFSC code of the receivers branch, and of course, the amount to be paid.

I hope this helps.

For those who understand such things, and to find out about charges levied on the transactions, this is an excellent resource.