THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State Bank of Travancore (SBT), the banker who served the state for over seven decades, is no more.
The 800-odd branches of the SBT, along with four other associate banks of the SBI, will merge with the parent bank on April 1. On Monday, the first working day of the month, these bank branches will sport the State Bank of India name board.
Customers will have the same account number even after the merger. SBT account holders can avail of internet services from SBI website www.onlinesbi.com
All banking products and services of the SBT will be replaced by those of the SBI from the day. The local head office of the SBI will be shifted to the SBT headquarters building at Poojappura.
SBI officers said the data merger will be completed by April 24. Both the banks are using the same core banking platform and hence the merger activities will not face hurdles, they said.
With the merger, the number of SBI branches will rise from the current 495 to over 1,400. For better management of the branches, 16 more zonal offices will be set up.
SBI officers said there will not be any closure of branches as feared by a section of the employees. Minor changes will be effected in the name of one branch in places where two branches come into being after the merger.