SBI To Recruit 10,000 Employees, Expand Branch Network Across India

As of March 2024, SBI's total workforce stood at 2,32,296 employees, including 1,10,116 officers.

State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest lender, is set to hire approximately 10,000 new employees during the current financial year, as part of its efforts to meet general banking needs and enhance its technological capabilities. SBI has been investing heavily in technology to provide seamless customer service and boost the resilience of its digital infrastructure.

"We are expanding our workforce in both the technology and general banking sectors. Recently, we announced the recruitment of around 1,500 technology professionals, both at the entry level and slightly higher levels," SBI Chairman CS Setty said in an interview with PTI.

The bank's technology recruitment focuses on specialised roles such as data scientists, data architects, and network operators. "We are hiring for a variety of positions in technology. Overall, our workforce addition this year will be between 8,000 and 10,000 people, spanning both specialised and general roles," Setty added.

As of March 2024, SBI's total workforce stood at 2,32,296 employees, including 1,10,116 officers.

Speaking on capacity building, Setty noted that reskilling and upskilling are ongoing processes within the bank. "Customer expectations and technology are constantly evolving, and digitalisation is becoming widespread. We continually reskill our employees at all levels," he said.

In addition to general training, SBI also offers specialised upskilling in niche areas to ensure it meets the growing needs of its customers and delivers an enhanced banking experience.

Regarding network expansion, Setty revealed that SBI plans to open 600 new branches across India during this financial year. The bank currently operates 22,542 branches nationwide, as of March 2024. "Our branch expansion strategy focuses on emerging areas, particularly residential colonies that are currently underserved. We aim to add around 600 branches this year," Setty stated.

SBI also reaches customers through its extensive network of 65,000 ATMs and 85,000 business correspondents. Serving approximately 500 million customers, the bank prides itself on being "the banker to every Indian, and, more importantly, to every Indian family," he said.

Setty also shared his vision of transforming SBI into not only the best and most valued bank for shareholders but also for every stakeholder. "This includes our customers, shareholders, and the larger ecosystem – society and institutional frameworks – all of whom should view SBI as the best bank to work with," he concluded.