Vijaya Bank to launch Vikas Smart Cards on Oct 20

{image-Vijaya Bank_18102008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Bangalore, Oct 18: Account holders in the rural areas can now have a handy Vikas Smart card issued by public sector Vijaya bank that brings banking services to their doorstep.

This bio metric card enable farmers and other do banking transactions through Bank's authorised business correspondents based in villages. The salient feature of the Scheme, launched for the first time in the country, includes, deposit and withdrawal of cash and deposits at customer's doorstep, payment of interest and instalments towards loans can be made through the smart cards. The Vikas Smart Card would be launched by the Vijaya Bank Chairman and Managing Director Albert Tauro at Bilidegilu village in Mandya district in Karnataka on October 20, a release said.

It ensures 'Any Time Banking' to rural clients, with flexibility in timings. The card holders can transact with the business correspondent at any time. The facilities of the Government like payment of wages under NREGP and Social Security Pension credited to the 'No Frills' accounts of the beneficiaries can be disbursed through the card at the door step of the beneficiaries.

The scheme besides encouraging thrift among rural folk, helps the bank to mop up rural savings and also to increase its outreach in far flung areas.

UNI