Leaders & Laggards among Public Sector Banks

With the era of new age banking dawning, the PSBs ( Public Sector Banks ) have also woken up from their slumber. They have finally woken up to technology-enabled banking. Some have taken the lead, others lag:

State Bank of Patiala (SBP) - First PSB to have all branches CBS-enabled. Yes, you read it right every branch of SBP even in the tiniest of villages is CBS (Core Banking Solution) enabled, which means that you can operate your account from any of its branches. Although this would cease to matter anymore, since SBP is going to be merged with SBI.

Corporation Bank (Corp) - In terms of technology adoption, Corp has always been the leader. Whether it is internet banking, debit cards or the recently introduced mobile-commerce, it has always been the first PSB to adopt it. Even the website of this Mangalore-based bank looks decent enough ( better than most PSBs including SBI ).

Karnataka Bank & Andhra Bank - Not to be left behind are these two banks from the South, who have a decent network of ATMs and CBS branches ( atleast in the South and are trying to expand in the North India as well ).

Punjab National Bank (PNB) - Most ( if not all ) branches of PNB are CBS-enabled and one good thing about PNB is that account-holders at a CBS branch by default get a payable-at-par cheque book. Though they have been a laggard on the ATM front. I haven't seen many of their ATMs other than at branches. They have a tie-up with Geojit for providing depository and trading services.

State Bank of India (SBI) - SBI has stepped into so many domains at the same time that it has become almost unmanageable ( atleast for its branch managers ). SBI ( along with its subsidaries ) does have the largest network of ATMs in the country. Recently they have introduced the concept of 3-in-1 trading account in partnership with Motilal Oswal.

UCO Bank & Union Bank of India - After being in financial trouble for few years these two banks have not only improved their balance sheet positions but their services as well. UCO Bank has been rapidly expanding, opening up new branches. You can find ATMs at almost all of their urban branches.

Among the PSBs which haven't shown any willingness to upgrade, Indian Bank tops the list. Its branches, still give you that feeling of a dingy government office (the image which is normally projected in hindi movies).

Hope some day our PSBs would be able to measure upto the services offered by the international banks [ but should not measure upto their charges ;-) ].

Update : Karnataka Bank is not a PSU Bank. Thanks Narsi!