“It feels like beti ki bidaai (daughter being sent to her in-laws place after marriage),” said an emotional senior State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur official, referring to the merger of associate banks with parent State Bank of India, which takes effect from April 1.
Just like a newly-wed bride takes her in-laws family name, the five associate bank — State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur, State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Patiala, and State Bank of Travancore — branches will be known as State Bank of India from the first day of the new financial year (FY18), with all signages set to change overnight.
While SBI has over 15,000 branches, its associate banks collectively have around 6,700 branches. “The new daughter-in-law (associate bank employee) doesn’t know what to expect in the in-laws place (SBI) even as the latter will be equally anxious as to whether the newest family member will be able to adapt to the family culture,” chipped in another SBBJ official.
Harking back to his over 25 years employment with State Bank of Travancore (SBT), the branch head of one of its Mumbai branches said: “SBI, which is India’s largest bank, is a big, global brand. But for me, my bank has been second home. We imbibed a strong work culture. I hope the same continues under the SBI umbrella.”
He emphasised that SBI offers wide-spectrum global banking products and services to its customers and they could benefit from the merger. Associate bank employees too may stand to gain as they will get wide-ranging exposure to various aspects of banking.
The SBT official hoped that the growth prospects of associate bank employees don’t get undermined due to the merger. Merit-cum-seniority should be given due importance when it comes to promotions, he added.
The SBBJ official said all customers have already been informed about the impending merger through letters, e-mails and personal meetings.
He added that large accounts (₹1 crore and above) will move from his branch to the nearest State Bank branch.
Meanwhile, associate banks have informed their customers that there will be no change in the ATM/ debit card/ credit cards or the secret PIN after the merger. Further, there will be no change in the internet banking ID and password either.