Finance Minister Sitharaman Announces Merger Of Public Sector Banks

The government of India announced a big news with which it hopes to revive the economy. To reduce bank deficit and to improve the finances, the finance minister has decided to take a radical step. A week after the government announced a slew of measures in a bid to boost the economy, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday made another set of announcements aimed at strengthening banking structure in the country. Almost 10 banks will be merged to become 4 mega banks in a bid to help the country’s finances.

The finance minister Sitharaman informed that the Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank will be merged to form the second-largest public sector bank with the business of Rs 17.95 lakh crore. Also, Canara Bank will be merged with Syndicate Bank to form the fourth largest Public Sector Bank with a business of Rs 15.20 lakh crore.

Finance Minister added that there will be two banks which will have national presence – Bank of India with Rs 9.3 lakh crore of business size and Central Bank with Rs 4.68 lakh crore of business size. This will hope to change India’s financial scenario. After the consolidation of these banks, India will now have 12 Public Sector Banks from 27 Public Sector Banks, she said.

Last week, Ms Sitharaman had announced that the government would release Rs 70,000 crore for bank capitalisation. While this amount is to be released upfront, she also announced additional lending and liquidity to the tune of Rs 5 lakh crore to PSBs.