Bank of Baroda will be hiring about 4,000 officers and clerks soon, according to its Chairman and Managing Director, Mr M. D. Mallya.

“This will cater to our major branch expansion plan during the next financial year and replacement of retired staff,” Mr Mallya told Business Line here.

The bank has plans to open over 500 branches in the next one year which would need manpower, he added.

The recruitment will be conducted on the basis on a common written exam being conducted by the Institute of Banking Personal Selection as part of an agreement it entered into with 19 banks.

On the credit off-take, Mr Mallya said the demand for loans is expected to go up once the interest rates begin to come down.

“As of now there is expectation that interest rates will come down. Further, higher liquidity with the banks is likely to make corporate loans cheaper,” he added.

FOCUS ON AFRICA

The bank, which has 87 branches/offices, is planning to step up its focus on the African region. “We see great business potential in countries such as Kenya,” he said. Bank of Baroda gets 25 per cent of its over Rs 6 lakh crore business from overseas. The number of overseas branches is likely to be ramped up to 100 in the next two quarters, he added.

>ksridhu@thehindu.co.in