This can be a template for why big is necessary: HDFC Bank chairman

'Credit growth is picking up. Banks are now in a lending mode'

HDFC Bank Chairman Atanu Chakraborty spoke to Subhomoy Bhattacharjee in New Delhi on the process behind the recent merger with HDFC, the interface with the regulators and the lessons for the banking industry. Edited excerpts:

How was it to be at the core of the merger discussion, especially as it was drawing to a close?  

Well, the process had actually started before April 4, when the merger was actually announced. It was a natural merger, it was rightly conceived . Everyone at the key positions had to be brought in line with the thinking that the merger will happen. And luckily on