sector in India comprises 26 state sector banks, besides a number of private as well as co-operative sector players.

The Indian banking sector has made impactful growth since last five years. The indicators such as profitability, annual credit growth and decline in NPAs are showing healthy signs. Indian banks have successfully tackled the global financial turmoil. In the report, Indian banks are likely to ride an economic growth wave by research firm Standard & Poors, the financial year 2011-12 is predicted to be another good year for this industry. Over the last decade, Indian Banks: Key Statistics Particulars Aggregate Deposits (%) Gross Bank Credit (%) Nationalized Banks as a group 53 52.8 State Bank of India & 21.6 22.1 Associates New Pvt sector banks 13.4 13.2 Old pvt sector banks 4.6 4.9 Foreign banks 4.4 4.6 Regional Rural Banks 3 2.4 Source: RBIs Quarterly Statistics on Deposits & Credit of Scheduled Commercial Banks, March 2011. According to another statement of RBI, bank credit has gone up by 3.9% in April-Sept 2011, while bank deposits grew by 6.3%. RBI expects a credit growth of 19% and deposit growth of 17% for financial year 2011-12. Recent Developments in the banking sector: With a view to consolidate its presence in UAE, SBI is all set to launch its services to NRIs in UAE. SBI has deployed a mobile van in Madhya Pradesh to provide for banking needs of villagers. Additionally government of India is thinking on enabling public sector banks to raise lots of additional capital without the central authority losing control over them. For the purpose, the government is considering forming a single holding company to unite 21

state-run banks as it would provide room for innovation in capital infusion. (Source: IBEF) Changing Scenarios in Banking: Post opening up of Indian economy, banking sector has also seen the change with regards to the technology adoption and changing banking habits. With introduction of ATMs and internet banking, the whole scenario has changed in a way to do the banking. Today, there is more stress on E-money, plastic money and internet based delivery channels. Punes Banking Sector: Thanks to the Auto & IT hub and growing BPO sector, Punes economy is getting healthier, so is its financial service sector. Pune banks which are engaged in commercial activities add up to almost 300 branches. State bank of India with its associate banks, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Union bank of India, Oriental bank of commerce, Bank of Baroda and Vijaya bank operate through various branches. In addition to nationalized commercial banks, Pune also has branches of Multinational banks and private Indian banks. Along with a good network of banks and ATMs, Pune also has academic banking institutions such as Symbiosis School of Banking management, MITCON Institute of Management which offers careers in Banking & financial services. Pune has National Institute of Bank Management (NIBM), which is a premier institution in banking consultancy and research. It offers various training programs to banking professionals. As far as investment banking was concerned, it was limited to Bangalore and Mumbai in India. But Pune is also now dotted with couple of investment banks such as Barclays. This overall growth with respect to network of banks & branches, technology up gradation, customer service is riveting. We wish this financial services sector look forward to diversifying this growth in many respects in future!

C.D. Kalkar, General Manager [Maharashtra & Goa Zone], Bank of Baroda
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. When you cast a look on banking for last 20 years, what striking changes you think this sector has brought over this period of time?
Changes seen in last 20 years are as under:Entry of Private Sector Banks. Technology up gradation. Branch Expansion Customer centricity increased. As economy grew, Banks business grew substantially / many fold. Competition grew and staff became more business focused.

2. Along with more commercialization, are banks also becoming aware of the priority sector needs?
Yes. Priority Sector Advances are continuously increasing. Agriculture/ SME are still focus area of many banks.

3. Are banks catering to various need-based tailor-made products for various segments such as business communities, small industries, agriculturists, families?
All Banks have designed products for various segments like SME, Agriculture, Retail and Individuals.

4. How has been banking sector in Pune growing? In which aspects/respect this growth is seen?
In Pune, there is good growth in SME advances, large scale industries advances as well as retail advances like Housing loans, traders loans, auto loans, educational loans etc.

5. How many banks are currently operating in Pune?

492 branches of various banks are operating in Pune as per data of 31.12.10.

6. How this sector is divided here number wise? - Pvt-Public, Commercial-Priority sector-wise?
Out of this, nationalized banks -348 branches, Private Banks- 95 branches and Cooperative banks - 49 branches.

7. What is your take on the changing technology in banking services such as Internet banking, Mobile banking, ATMs etc? Is it secure enough? How far are these growing in Pune city?
E-products or technology based products like Internet Banking, ATM cards, RTGS, NEFT, Gift Cards, and Mobile Banking are now well accepted by customers and Banks are making efforts to promote e-products. Pune is an IT City and these e-products are continuously growing in Pune. Young generation demands these products.

8. What are the contributing factors for Pune banking sector to expand number-wise and product-wise?
Pune City is continuously growing and has become Mega city. Pune is hub for IT Industry, Auto Industry, engineering goods industry and also real estate sector. Large number of people from other parts of Maharashtra and also other states are migrating to Pune as job opportunities are available in Pune in various sectors and it is also good education centre. Opportunities for banking sector are growing in financing / providing housing loans, SME loans, educational loans, vehicle loans and industrial loans. Further deposits, insurance products and mutual funds investments are continuously increasing as prosperity is growing in Pune.

9. What is a trend of this growth that you foresee?

Presently because Euro zone crisis and slowdown in USA, economy of our Country is also affected though domestic market is good. Rising interest rates have affected credit growth adversely. However in medium and long term, Pune growth will continue and Banks have tremendous opportunities for expanding their business.