This was stated by BoB's chairman and managing director, K Kannan, on Monday while launching BoBCard Gold in association with Visa International.

"The time has now come for BoB Cards to go public...it may happen sometime down the line," Kannan said, adding that BoB is also planning to issue credit cards at its branches in Mauritius.

BoB Cards was set up three years ago, and has since seen its turnover increase by 165 per cent -- from Rs 319 crore to Rs 844 crore. The company, one of the few to issue international cards, has 1,250 electronic data capturing terminals in the country, and is a leading player in the card business.

BoBCard Gold, launched on Monday, is targeted at the higher end of the card segment. Eligibility rules stipulate a gross annual income of Rs 2 lakh for the salaried and Rs 1.5 lakh for professional andself-employed.

Cardholders will have a spend limit of Rs 1 lakh, cash advance facility of Rs 25,000 per month, emergency medical entitlement of Rs 15,000, and personal insurance cover of Rs 15 lakh for the cardholder with Rs 2 lakh for the spouse.

Speaking on the occasion of its launch, Visa International's country manager (south-Asia), Chandra Agnihotri, said: "Visa is committed to supporting BoB and BoBCard Ltd...we will continue to offer new, convenient and safe payment products."