Increasing digital transactions our priority, says SBI GM

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, March 15

Ensuring maximum adoption of digital modes of transactions among customers from rural areas and reducing NPAs (non-performing assests) in the region will remain the bank’s top priority in the coming days. This was stated by Amit Tripathy, SBI general manager, Chandigarh circle.

Tripathy was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the SBI gold loan scheme in the city today. He said SBI was laying a special emphasis on deep penetration of the bank into rural belt of the region to ensure that maximum people adopt the transparent and hassle-free modes of digital transactions.

Suresh Goyal, regional manager (SBI), Bathinda circle, said, “We have launched a three-pronged strategy to intensify our digital drive in rural areas. Firstly, we make sure that we educate customers visiting the bank regarding various modes of digital transactions at the bank branch itself. Secondly, we organize awareness seminars and workshops at regular intervals at different districts. And thirdly, we reach out to people via our door-to-door campaign. As a result, we have witnessed a multifold rise in digital transactions in the past year.”

Although NPAs had been static in the region in the past two years and reducing them further would be a top priority for us, he added.

To provide high-class products at affordable interest rates, SBI has launched the gold loan scheme for public by offering loan at 10.15 per cent per annum which is way lower than other financial institutions which are offering the same product at 24 per cent.