Currently, the State Bank of India (SBI) is the largest bank in the country. The government is now preparing to merge two public sector banks to create a new bank that would become the second-largest in India, just after SBI.
Which banks are being merged
The government is planning to merge Union Bank of India (UBI) and Bank of India (BOI). Together, these banks have a combined customer base of 25.5 crore (255 million), making the new entity slightly smaller than SBI. The headquarters of both banks is in Mumbai and preparations for the merger have been underway for several years.
The merger aims to reduce bank losses, decrease non-performing assets (NPA), improve operational efficiency and strengthen the financial stability of the combined institution. By creating a larger and more robust bank, the government hopes that Indian banks can stand strong against global competitors.
Timeline and benefits of the merger
The government has been gradually merging smaller banks into larger entities to create stronger financial institutions. Between 2017 and 2020, 10 public sector banks were merged into four major banks and six banks were merged into SBI, reducing the total number of public sector banks from 27 to 12.
Merging smaller banks into larger ones reduces operational costs, improves technology adoption and decreases NPAs. It also enhances competition among banks, which can benefit customers. Advanced banking technology from larger banks will now be accessible to the customers of the merged smaller banks.
Impact on customers
The merger of UBI and BOI will have a direct impact on account holders, providing better services and improved returns. However, some additional paperwork may be required, such as updates to passbooks, checkbooks, IFSC codes and branch names. Customers' deposits, savings, fixed deposits and loan terms, including home and car loans, will remain unchanged. Overall, the merger aims to create a stronger, more efficient banking experience for all customers.
source: News24
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