PNB waives off ATM charges for Chennai users, NHB chips in too

In view of the floods in Chennai, Punjab National Bank (PNB) today said it has waived off charges for using ATM network of other banks.
Now, its all 81 branches and 82 ATMs are fully operational, with 58,029 flood-affected customers serviced and Rs 17.79 crore disbursed, PNB said in a statement.
The bank will also offer customers credit facilities under the schemes of repair and renovation to damaged houses and overdraft facility against the existing housing loans to meet the urgent fund requirements.
Meanwhile, the National Housing Bank (NHB) has announced refinance assistance through housing finance companies (HFCs) for reconstruction or repairs and upgradation of houses.

A sum of Rs 100 crore has been earmarked at concessional interest rate of 6.50 per cent to HFCs for providing refinance assistance to individuals, NHB said in a statement.
In a separate statement, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance said it has simplified the claims settlement process with a view to providing quick support to the families of the policyholders.
"Overdue and lapsation charges due to non-payment of renewal premiums have been waived for all customers in Chennai, from November 8 to December 15, as we understand that renewal may not have been possible due to widespread flooding," ICICI Prudential Life Insurance said in the statement.