New Delhi, Sep 14 (IANS): In a novel green initiative, HDFC Bank has launched a system of sending the personal identification number (PIN) for debit card holders through SMS instead of the usual despatch by post.

“With the launch of the Green PIN we offer our customers the flexibility to generate a new pin number at a time and location most convenient to them, while simultaneously giving them the opportunity to take a step to save our planet’s vital natural resources,” said Parag Rao, senior vice president and head of Cards Payment Products HDFC Bank.

The Green PIN is the One Time Password (OTP) sent to the customer’s mobile number with which the customer can set the debit card PIN at the bank’s ATM.

Apart from the convenience and time saved on both interfaces of the transaction, the system is also environment friendly, Rao pointed out. Customers will get the OTP within 48 hours of application.

The facility is available in all states except Jammu and Kashmir owing to restrictions in the state on bulk SMS delivery, Rao said, adding that the green PIN is one of many "go green" initiatives of HDFC Bank.

HDFC Bank has nearly 1.75 crore debit card holders, while around 1.65 million cards on an average are issued annually by it.