ICICI Bank launches banking services on WhatsApp: Here's all you need to know

ICICI Bank announced the launch of banking services on WhatsApp that will allow its customers to undertake certain banking requirements.

According to the bank's press release, "Using the service on WhatsApp, retail customers can check their savings account balance, last three transactions, credit card limit, get details of pre-approved instant loan offers and block/unblock credit and debit card in a secure manner with end-to-end encryption for all messages. Additionally, they can also get details of the nearest three ICICI Bank ATMs and branches in their vicinity. The customers can do all of these while they are on the social platform."

At a time when the entire country is on lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus, this sort of a service can come in handy. This is because to access this service you do not have to access your Net banking, visit the branch or use the IVR service to avail these services.


"Our retail customers can execute a host of their banking requirements on their own, without visiting a branch. The services are instantaneous and secure. With the growing prominence of social media in every-day life, we believe that this would add immense convenience to our customers, as it allows them to bank while they are on social media," said Anup Bagchi, Executive Director, ICICI Bank.

Here is a closer look at the WhatsApp service.

Who can access this service?
Any ICICI Bank savings account customer, who is also on WhatsApp, can access this service. Further, customers carrying only a credit card of the bank can use this service to 'Block/Unblock' their card. Non-ICICI Bank customers can also use this instant service to know the location of the bank's branches and ATMs in their vicinity, stated the bank's press release.

How to access this service?

• The customer needs to save ICICI Bank's verified WhatsApp profile number, 9324953001, to his/her 'contacts' on the mobile phone
• Then, send <Hi> to this number from his/her mobile number which is registered with the Bank.
• The Bank will respond with a list of services available
• From the list of services, type the keyword of the service required (keywords are highlighted in the conversation for easy recognition), example : <Balance>, <Block> etc.
• The service is carried out and displayed instantly

What are the keywords for the banking services?

1. Check account balance: Type any keyword like <balance>, <bal>, <ac bal> among others
2. View last three transactions: Type <transaction>, <stmt>, <history> among others
3. Get outstanding balance and view available credit limit of credit card: Type <limit>, <cc limit>, <cc balance> among others.
4. Block/Unblock credit and debit card instantly: Type <block>, <lost my card>, <unblock> among others
5. View details of available pre-approved instant loans: Type <loan>, <home loan>, <personal loan>, <instant loans> among others
6. View nearest ICICI Bank ATM and branch: Type <ATM> , <branch> among others
7. Check available nearby offers on travel, dining, shopping: Type <offer>, <discounts> among others