HDFC Bank began operations in 1995 with a mission to be a world-class Indian bank. It has since grown to have over 761 branches across 327 cities in India as of March 2008. The bank focuses on using the latest technology like centralized processing units, electronic straight-through processing, data warehousing, and CRM to improve efficiency and provide innovative products. Some key strategies that have contributed to its success include developing a strong national network, focusing on retail and transaction banking, and maintaining high asset quality.