PNB opens first hi-tech branch of Punjab in Kharar

Punjab National Bank (PNB), country's second largest state-owned lender, today opened its first hi-tech branch in Punjab here.
"This is the first of a total 35 such branches to be opened in different parts of Punjab under the bank's national programme," PNB Field General Manager from Ludhiana Harpal Singh said.
Mohali Deputy Commissioner T P S Sidhu inaugurated the new branch while Harpal Singh presided over the inaugural function.
Divulging the salient features of the first hi-tech branch, the PNB Field GM said that the self-services system of the branch would provide all services to all the customers from 7 am to 11 pm daily.

It would be done through automated machines for cash deposit, cheque deposit, cash withdrawal and even passbook updating machine.
To educate and aware the customers about the hi-tech systems and their usage, a special counter has been established at the bank branch, he said.

He said the bank has a network of 650 branches in Punjab and 50 new branches would be added in the state by March 31, 2014.
The total business of the bank in the state has touched Rs 70,000 crore, which comprises Rs 40,000 crore deposit and Rs 30,000 crore advance, he said.
He said that four new branches would be opened in Mohali district within the current fiscal.

In view of the increasing incidents of ATM thefts, Harpal Singh said the PNB has taken special security measures to ensure foolproof security of its ATMs, which have been put under e-surveillance system.