SBI Hiring Masses
State Bank of India (SBI), the nation’s largest lender, is ramping up its workforce and branch network to enhance operations and widen its reach. In the fiscal year 2024-25, SBI aims to recruit over 15,000 individuals, primarily focusing on marketing roles and bolstering its operations subsidiary, State Bank Operations Support Services. Established last year, this subsidiary is integral to expanding SBI’s footprint. Moreover, SBI plans to inaugurate 300 new branches within this fiscal period, a significant increase from the 139 branches launched in the previous financial year. Chairman Dinesh Khara affirmed the bank’s openness to hiring, especially for the 11,000-12,000 probationary officer positions across various categories.
Khara emphasized that 85% of officer and associate-level recruits would likely be engineers, although there is no inherent bias towards this qualification. The recruits will undergo training in banking operations before branching out into diverse roles, including information technology segments. Addressing concerns about branch rationalization, Khara dismissed the notion, citing India’s growth potential and the need to identify areas for expansion. SBI currently operates 22,542 branches, with plans to extend its coverage to urban and metropolitan centres through its operations support subsidiary.
The subsidiary, already staffed with 8,000 individuals primarily focused on semi-urban branches, aims to expand its workforce to cater to urban areas. Employees engage in tasks ranging from due diligence to marketing and recovery efforts, contributing significantly to the bank’s operational efficiency. Furthermore, the subsidiary’s local hiring approach facilitates customer outreach and reduces commuting costs. This strategy and lower staff expenses than direct bank employees provide SBI with a competitive edge in servicing retail businesses. SBI’s strategic hiring and expansion plans underscore its commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and customer service while leveraging local talent and minimizing costs.
