Corp Bank kicks off rural thrust in Gujarat

Corporation Bank plans to focus now on financial inclusion in more than 100 villages of Gujarat in the light of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) policy in this regard. It will offer banking services in rural areas by including financial transactions through the bank.

"We have around 38 branches across Gujarat and will further cover around 100 surrounding small villages in the state. Under this plan, our officials will visit each house in these villages and will exhort people to open an account with us," said K L Gopalkrishna, executive director, Corporation Bank.

"Initially, we will be gathering information on the number of families in each village, for which, we will take the help of students belonging to the area. We will further find out details of these villagers such as education, trading pattern and other necessities," he said.

According to Y S Jain, deputy general manager, Corporation Bank, "Nearly three-four villages are around each of our branches, these will cater to the need of all those surrounding villages. However, if we get more members in any particular village where our branch is not located, we may open a new branch in that village."

Jain further said there are several people in the interiors who cannot access banks. "We will also offer our banking services to these interior villages so that even they can access to all kind of services including savings scheme," he said.