Punjab National Bank (PNB) plans to open 46 new branches in Orissa in 2009-10. Out of these 46 branches, the bank has got the approval to set up its branches at Sonepur, Aska, Kendrapara and Nayagarh and these branches are expected to be opened soon.
PNB opened its two new branches in the state, one in Dhenkanal and another at Bonai on Friday. These two branches of the bank were inaugurated by Bimal Prasad Sharma, general manager, PNB,
Talking to media persons at Dhenkanal, Sharma said payment delivery system will be flexible and the bank will make efforts to save people from the exploitation of the moneylenders.
Sharma pointed out that PNB's branches across the state would stress on the development projects of the poor man. He claimed that the bank has achieved 100 percent financial inclusion in 21,048 villages across India. In reply to a question, Sharma informed that poor people who are beneficiaries of national schemes and projects including farmers will have easy access to the PNB branches.
"PNB has achieved a total business of over Rs 3,000 crore in Orissa which includes Rs 2,272 crore of deposits and Rs 973 crore of advances. On a pan-India basis, the bank has clocked a 27.5 per cent growth in its business in 2008-09 and has recorded a profit of Rs 3,091 crore", he said.
