Baroda-Vijaya-Dena Bank merger: Here are the challenges and expectations

Whether the merger constitutes meaningful reform at the present time is, however, open to question

The announcement to merge Bank of Baroda with Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank comes at an interesting time, after the finance minister revealed measures to manage the tumbling rupee last week.

The government evidently believes that the merger will send a message to the world about its reformist zeal and improve investor sentiment at a time when the rupee is under pressure. Whether it constitutes meaningful reform at the present time is, however, open to question.

Rajiv Kumar, secretary, department of financial services, contended that the new entity is “positioned for substantial rise in customer base, market reach, operational efficiency