NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Friday, August 22, 2014

Days after the Reserve Bank of India introduced draft norms for small and payments banks to boost financial inclusion , the nation’s largest telco by subscribers Bharti Airtel and the nation’s largest lender State Bank of India are exploring a mega alliance.

” Both parties have initiated talks for a payments banks alliance which if sealed will have multiple synergies across subscriber base, rural infrastructure and rural penetration. The talks are at a preliminary stage and no final decision has been taken, ” sources familiar with the development told ET NOW.