With an aim to strengthen its banking network, HDFC Bank Ltd is planning to open 250 new branches across the country in the next two years.

Moreover, the bank has decided to focus on semi-urban and rural areas of the country. As part of this, the bank is planning to hold 150 �loan camps' in rural areas across the country, shortly.

Presently, the bank has 1,725 branches and 4,393 ATMs in 780 cities in the country.

"We are planning to open 250 new branches across the country in the next two years, including 11 branches in North Maharashtra. In Nashik district, the bank has identified three locations-Nashik city, Dindori and Satana," Aditya Puri, Managing Director, HDFC Bank Ltd, said.

"Rural India has witnessed remarkable transformation over the past two decades. Today, around 40 per cent sales of automobile industry come from rural areas and customer base of telecom industry is also increasing here substantially. Considering the future growth of semi-urban and rural India, the bank has decided to give major thrust on semi-urban and rural areas of the country. As part of this, we are organizing 150 loan camps in rural areas of the country and we have started this campaign from Pimpalgaon in Nashik district," he said.

Meanwhile, the bank recently held a two-day mega loan camp at Pimpalgaon. Around 150 farmers were given loans amounting to Rs. 3.5 crores. The bank offerings included home loans, auto loans, two-wheeler loans, commercial vehicle loans, tractor loans, and agricultural loans besides personal and gold loan.