r2i forum

I currently have a PAN card that was issued in India to me. But I am currently in US & have GC. Can I use the same PAN card to apply for a demat account? If not, do I need to apply for a new PAN card for NRI's (is there anything like that at all) and then surrender my old PAN card?
I currently use ICICI to transfer funds to India, but am not really happy with their exchange rates. Are there other banks (that offer reasonably good exchange rates) where I can open a NRE account to transfer funds and have the convenience of opening a demat acccount and also do online trading through them without them charging high maintenance/transaction fees? From what I have heard, it is convenient to have savings account, demat account and trading done at one institution due to ease of transferring funds rather than have them at multiple banks making it difficult to transfer funds.
What is PIS account? Do I need to open one to trade mutual funds?
Anyone with knowledge please guide/advise me or point me to the right place where I can get answers to my questions.

You can continue to use the previously issued PAN card. I had applied and they had come back with the same number.
Search for Money transfer in this forum, there is a lot of discussion about it and for DMAT/PIS/Trading account as well. Just search.