The customers will now be able to purchase goods and services at all Maestro acceptance locations in India, and abroad, by debiting their own funds held in HDFC Bank savings accounts with the help of the Maestro Debit card.Customers will also be able to withdraw cash, globally, through MasterCard's ATM Network.

Says HDFC Bank managing director Aditya Puri: ``We have always endeavoured to harness enabling technology and deliver value to our customers, who now can use our International Debit Card as an ideal substitute to cash and shop at merchant locations around the world.''

Says MasterCard International senior vice-president and general manager (Southeast and South Asia) Sonny Sannon: ``Maestro has emerged as the clear leader in the deposit access business worldwide and we are confident that with this launch, Maestro will go a long way in providing HDFC Bank consumers with secure and convenient electronic access to their own money anytime, anywhere.''

The HDFC Bank International Maestro Debit Card will be available to all resident deposit account holders as well as NRE account-holders, at a nominal annual fee. Customers will also have the security of insurance against lost or stolen cards where their liability is limited. Also, TimesBank Maestro customers, who migrate to this new card, will now be able to enjoy the benefit of international access. HDFC Bank customers will also be able to use these facilities at ATMs and point-of-sale locations in India and abroad.

The HDFC Bank International Maestro Debit Card can be used at a rapidly expanding base of Maestro acceptance locations, currently consisting of approximately 7,000 merchant locations in India and approximately 50 lakh locations across 73 countries worldwide.