SBI recruits for 1,000 positions in rural areas

The move seeks to strengthen position in rural areas following the management’s dissatisfaction of the lender’s progress in these areas.

To consolidate its position, public sector giant - State Bank of India (SBI) - has invited applications for 1,000 positions of probationary officers to serve in the rural and semi-urban areas. A special cadre - rural business group - has been formed with officers having to mandatorily serve in these areas for a period of 10 years.

This is the second round of recruitment for this cadre with invitations for 2,000 jobs being made a few months ago. The new recruits are presently undergoing training. "The bank may come up with more such job offers if the present model is found successful," said a source in the Mumbai office of the SBI, according to a report in Times of India.

The management was not satisfied with the bank's progress in rural areas. The disconnect between the banker and the client was also a reason for increasing non-performing assets (NPA), feel officials.