The largest bank in the country, State Bank of India (SBI), has expanded its footprint in Tamil Nadu, the country’s second-largest state economy, by opening 14 new branches, two home loan centres, two state-of-the-art Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs), and a Special Currency Administration Branch (SCAB).

According to a statement from the bank, these programmes, which were launched by SBI Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty during his tour to the local head office in Chennai, highlight SBI’s commitment to growing its footprint while promoting community development throughout the state.

In an effort to provide vital banking and financial services to rural communities, the chairman of SBI also virtually inaugurated 110 Gramme Panchayat camps as part of the Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) efforts to fully implement financial inclusion programmes. These camps witnessed a high level of client involvement and were attended by senior bank officials and business correspondents.

The bank’s commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure was further demonstrated when, as part of its CSR programme, a cheque for Rs 1.47 crore was given to Sudhan R, Member Secretary of the Namma School Foundation, for the improvement of 30 government primary schools around Tamil Nadu.

Speaking at the event, Setty stated, “With more than 22,980 branches, SBI may already be the biggest bank in India, but we see clear opportunities to deepen our presence where banking access is still limited.” In addition to programmes like Gramme Panchayat camps to promote financial inclusion at the local level, the new branches in Tamil Nadu are part of our endeavour to fortify this physical connection.

At the same time, we are still dedicated to giving back to society, and our support for improving government schools is a reflection of that obligation,” he continued. Our goal is to continue growing in ways that benefit the communities we serve on an economic and social level.

“The bank’s dedication to enhancing accessibility and inclusivity in banking is reaffirmed by these measures. Through these initiatives, SBI is not only expanding as a bank but also helping the communities it serves thrive holistically,” he said.