Banks may not be in a position to go to the market now: United Bank CEO

Bank's merger with Oriental Bank of Commerce and Punjab National Bank will be smooth, says Ashok Kumar Pradhan.

United Bank of India, one of the oldest banks in eastern India, will be amalgamated with Oriental Bank of Commerce and Punjab National Bank on April 1. Ashok Kumar Pradhan, managing director and chief executive officer of the bank, spoke to Namrata Acharya and Ishita Ayan Dutt about the merger and issues like non-performing assets (NPA) of banks. Excerpts from the interview.

What is your assessment of the Budget, especially its impact on public sector banks?

As a banker, I feel, increasing the deposit insurance limit to Rs 5 lakh is a positive, but it will  largely impact operating profit