Upcoming Data Lakehouse Project will be delivering real-time AI insights across the Bank’s operations; Kolkata Center To Renew SBI's Trade Finance
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, June 30, 2025: The State Bank of India (SBI), the nation’s largest and most trusted financial institution, marks 70 years of dedicated service to India. With a ₹66 lakh crore balance sheet and over 52 crore customers, SBI enters its eighth decade focused on sustainability, digital innovation, and inclusive growth
Since its inception in 1955, SBI has evolved from supporting India’s early development goals into a driving force of its digital and green economy. As India’s premier public sector bank, it touches the lives of over 52 crore people, operates the country’s largest banking infrastructure, and powers everything from household savings to strategic infrastructure, startup ecosystems, and global remittances.
As part of its continued focus on customer excellence, SBI is modernizing its Trade Finance operations through digitalization, standardization, and centralization. A new center in Kolkata will serve branches across India, ensuring faster and efficient service.
With international banking roots dating back to 1864, SBI remains a trusted global partner. Globally, with 244 overseas offices in 55 countries, ranked 4th Most Trustworthy Bank Globally by Newsweek (2024) and Best Bank in India 2024 by Global Finance Magazine, it is truly an MNC Bank from India.
A cornerstone of SBI’s long-term vision is the expansion of its Project Finance & Structuring Strategic Business Unit (PF&S SBU), which plays a vital role in funding large-scale infrastructure and emerging sectors like renewable energy, e-mobility, data centres, semiconductors, green hydrogen, decarbonisation and smart infrastructure. Towards this end, SBI is setting up a Centre of Excellence which will serve as a guiding force on new age sectors and become an “asset of national Importance” eventually to serve as a catalyst in achieving India’s dream of a “Viksit Bharat” .
In order to play a lead role in India’s renewable energy transition, SBI’s Solar Rooftop Programme aims to solarise 4 million homes by FY2027, advancing India’s Net Zero 2070 goals.
SBI drives financial inclusion through 151 million+ Jan Dhan accounts and an extensive correspondent network. It continues to champion underserved segments through purpose-driven products like SBI Asmita, which provides collateral-free loans to women entrepreneurs, and EV-Mitra, which supports green mobility infrastructure.
SBI’s agricultural lending exceeded ₹3.5 lakh crore in FY25—the highest in the country—supporting farm infrastructure, Agri-enterprises, Farmer Producer Organizations, and cooperatives to enable sustainable rural development.
In FY2025, the Bank reinforced its social impact footprint by investing Rs610.8 crore in CSR initiatives, reaching 94 Aspirational Districts. Its efforts spanned healthcare, education, rural development, and environmental sustainability, including the mission to plant 9 lakh trees in the Cauvery basin and support for underprivileged students and persons with disabilities.
Digital innovation is central to SBI’s strategy, with 98.2% of transactions via digital platforms and over 8.8 crore YONO users. In FY2025, YONO added 164 new features, including Jan Nivesh, international fund transfers, UPI QR cash withdrawals, and RuPay credit card linking.
As a key digital offering for supporting MSMEs, SBI has also deployed its Business Rule Engine (BRE) to fast-track SME loans up to ₹5 crore, enabling Straight Through Processing. By March 2025, over 93,900 loans worth Rs47,789 crore had been sanctioned through BRE.
SBI is actively deploying Gen AI, Big Data, predictive analytics, and LLMs to personalize customer experiences. To modernise customer touchpoints, over 25,000 ATM machines will be upgraded in FY2026. This is supported by the upcoming Data Lakehouse Project, delivering real-time AI insights across the Bank’s operations.
Sharing his thoughts on the occasion, SBI Chairman Shri C.S. Setty said, “As India steps into a new era of growth and opportunity, SBI is building the foundation for the future of banking — one that is digital at its core, inclusive in its reach, and sustainable in its impact. For 70 years, we have been trusted partners in the nation’s progress. Today, we are investing deeply in our people, technology, and infrastructure to serve a billion aspirations with greater speed, empathy, and responsibility. Our vision is not just to lead in scale, but to lead with purpose, unlocking long-term value for every stakeholder and powering India’s journey towards a more equitable and resilient future. To reiterate from our press release on 1st July 1955, our policy, as always, will be guided by the ideal – to further the interests of our customers and those of the entire nation, now and in the years to come”
SBI’s workforce strategy emphasises skill-building in digital, analytical, and strategic domains to position itself as India’s top financial sector employer. It blends digital innovation with vernacular outreach and has introduced tablet-based onboarding for affluent segments. A sector leader across lending and digital services, it continues to deliver inclusive, purpose-driven banking for all.
