Kolkata, Jan 15 (KNN)  The State Bank of India has opened its first specialised branch for micro, small and medium exporters and importers, where specialised services will be offered to them.
 
The branch was inaugurated by West Bengal Finance and Industry Minister, Amit Mitra here yesterday.
 
Talking to reporters on the occasion, SBI Managing Director, A Krishna Kumar said that more such branches in the country can be considered depending on the feedback from the first initiative.
 
“We will try to replicate this kind of branch across the country, after studying how the Kolkata SME branch functions,” Kumar said.
 
SBI has 96 export-import oriented customers in Kolkata having exposure of Rs 3,200 crore, who are now being served through 11 branches in the city.
 
The decline in industrial output, Kumar said, will put more strain on the already deteriorating asset quality of banks.  The stress on manufacturing sector and mid-corporates will continue and this will definitely put pressure on asset quality, he added.
 
According to him, SBI and other banks are trying to identify the stress assets.  Further, SBI has been attempting to help units which have been showing signs of stress, so they do not become non-performing.  (KNN Bureau)