Syndicate Bank'sKolkata region that comprises seven states including West Bengal andNorth Eastern states planned to raise lending to the priority sector by25-30 per cent this year, and was looking at increasing exposure to selfhelp groups(SHG) by more than 30 per cent.
The total advances toagriculture sector last year was around Rs100 crore, while lendings tomicro and small enterprises was Rs 240 crore, informed K DevanandaUpadhyaya, general manager, Syndicate Bank and the regional head.
Totallendings to the priority sector was roughly Rs 700 crore last fiscal. Itwas already working with women SHGs at its Rural Development and SelfEmployment Training Institute(RUDSETI) at Berhampur, Murshidabaddistrict that offered employment oriented training to ruralentrepreneurs.
It was targeting a 20 per cent year-on-year growth inthe overall business from the region. As on June 30,2008, the totalbusiness in the region was Rs5000 crore with deposit constituing Rs3221crore and advances constituing Rs1780 crore. West Bengal's share in theregional business was around 70 per cent at Rs3500 crore.
The bankhad 65 per cent of its 103 branches in the region in the rural regions,while only 38 branches were in the metros. It planned to continuewith the women accounts drive, that started as a campaign two monthsback.
Syndicate Bank added 20,000 women accounts in the region in thelast two months. Of this, more than 70 per cent were from rural areas.We would add another 10,000 accounts in the coming three months, saidUpadhyaya. The target was to add 5 lakh such accounts nationally.