Airtel Payments Bank is reshaping the financial landscape in West Bengal and the Northeastern states by enhancing banking accessibility for underserved communities. With the establishment of more than 80,000 neighborhood banking points, the Bank is committed to fostering financial inclusion in these regions.
Over 22,000 of these banking points are established in villages which previously had no or distant access to banking services. All banking points are staffed by local residents, who receive specialized training to deliver comprehensive banking services, with over 9,000 points managed by women business correspondents, highlighting the Bank’s commitment to promoting gender equality. With banking points within the village, residents of these villages no longer need to keep cash at home or travel long distances to access a bank branch or ATM. They can also access a range of financial services like Aadhaar Enabled Payments, insurance, and government pension schemes.
Airtel Payments Bank is working closely with over 35 tea gardens in West Bengal and Assam for salary transfers. Leveraging its extensive distribution network, Airtel Payments Bank has set up dedicated Banking Points within the tea gardens, enabling the tea garden workers to open bank accounts within minutes and receive their salary in the account. This approach enables workers to withdraw only what they need while saving the rest, earning interest on their deposits. Additionally, they can access insurance, transfer funds, and link their accounts to various eligible government benefit schemes.
The Bank has opened around 10 million savings accounts in West Bengal and the Northeastern States, empowering local communities with easy access to banking facilities and enhancing financial inclusion for millions while generating job opportunities. To commemorate this achievement, Airtel Payments Bank held its Q2 FY25 board meeting in Siliguri. During the event, the Bank’s Board of Directors visited a tea garden to engage with business correspondents and gain valuable insights into their collaboration with the Bank, as well as to meet with key correspondents to better understand their needs and the support required for continued success.
“Our efforts in West Bengal and the Northeast are focused on taking banking closer to the people and empowering local communities. Whether it is ensuring tea garden workers receive their wages on time or supporting women business correspondents, Airtel Payments Bank is committed to reshaping financial accessibility,” said Anubrata Biswas, MD and CEO of Airtel Payments Bank on the eve of the visit of the Bank’s Board of Directors.
Airtel Payments Bank continues to expand its reach, working closely with local communities and leveraging technology to deliver banking solutions that cater to the specific needs of the region. As the Bank grows, it remains committed to its mission of redefining banking for rural and underserved populations across India.