SBI to tie up with Airtel to launch mobile banking

Manipal, Karnataka, Feb 20 (UNI) The State Bank of India (SBI) is embarking on having a tie up with Airtel to enable money transactions through mobile phone banking, bank Chairman O P Bhatt announced today.

Addressing a press conference after launching SBI's unique 'Combo Card' in Manipal University here, he said the bank had planned to set up rural kiosk centres in rural areas for financial inclusion of those still remaining outside any banking facility. The bank had proposed to recruit about 3,000 to 5,000 people during the next financial year for the purpose.

Mr Bhatt said that to enhance customer service in the bank and make attitudinal changes among the employees, particularly in the front office, the bank was introducing 'Citizen SBI Code'. The bank was also planning to introduce biometric cards for the benefit of illiterate customers, he added.

He said the bank was poised to add 300 more ATMs to its existing 6,000 ATMs to reach 10,000 ATMs in the next 20 month period together with the ATMs of associated banks.

Replying to a query, he said the bank had not yet decided on consolidation of its subsidiary banks though the issue was on since the last two years. He clarified that Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram had not insisted on bank consolidation, but only made suggestions on the need for consolidation of banks to make Indian banks bigger to compete with foreign banks.

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