The biggest home loan lender of the country, State Bank of India has introduced a new plan to take banking services to each doorstep. The bank would be opening banking kiosks at local grocery shops (kirana stores). These kiosks would offer all standard banking facilities such as account opening, cash deposit and withdrawal, money transfer services besides a correct and authentic receipt for all transactions.
The bank has opened the initial 50 kiosks in Dharavi, Mumbai. It would shortly be launching another 1000 kiosks in the city and further 870 in Maharashtra.
In Delhi SBI has opened another 30 kiosks. In Bihar and UP these kiosks would be opened by October this year, said officials.
Banking services at these kiosks will be provided in 6 languages to help the customer.
These kiosks would only ask for a photo ID and address proofs of the customer who will then be allowed to open a no frills account and there is no need for minimum balance. A customer photo would be taken with a webcam and a biometric device would capture his fingerprints.