1 

 
Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India
- Issues & Challenges

by
Dr. Vighneswara Swamy and Dr. Vijayalakshmi

I. INTRODUCTION
Amartya Sen (2000) convincingly argued that poverty is not merely
insufficient income, but rather the absence of wide range of capabilities, including
security and ability to participate in economic and political systems. Today the term
‘bottom of the pyramid’ refers to the global poor most of whom live in the developing
countries. These large numbers of poor are required to be provided with much
needed financial assistance in order to sail them out of their conditions of poverty.
Accordingly, there is felt a need for policy support in channeling the financial
resources towards the economic upliftment of resource poor in any developing
economy. This paper is an attempt to comprehend and distinguish the significance
of Financial Inclusion in the context of a developing country like India wherein a
large population is deprived of the financial services which are very much essential
for overall economic growth of a country.

The consensus is that finance promotes economic growth but the magnitude
of impact differs. Financial inclusion is intended to connect people to banks with
consequential benefits. Ensuring that the financial system plays its due role in
promoting inclusive growth is one of the biggest challenges facing the emerging
economies. We therefore advocate that financial development creates enabling
conditions for growth when access to safe, easy and affordable credit and other
financial services by the poor and vulnerable groups, disadvantaged areas and
lagging sectors is recognised as a pre-condition for accelerating growth and
reducing income disparities and poverty. Access to a well-functioning financial
system, by creating equal opportunities, enables economically and socially
 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
2

excluded people to integrate better into the economy and actively contribute to
development and protects themselves against economic shocks.

II. FINANCIAL INCLUSION

Importance of financial inclusion arises from the problem of financial

exclusion of nearly 3 billion people from the formal financial services across the
world. The review of literature suggests that the most operational definitions are
context-specific, originating from country-specific problems of financial exclusion
and socio-economic conditions. Thus, the context-specific dimensions of financial
exclusion assume importance from the public policy perspective. The operational
definitions of financial inclusion, have also evolved from the underlying public policy
concerns that many people, particularly those living on low income, cannot access
mainstream financial products such as bank accounts and low cost loans, which, in
turn, imposes real costs on them -often the most vulnerable people (H.M. Treasury,
2007). Thus, over the years, several definitions of financial inclusion/exclusion have
evolved. In the Indian context, Rangarajan Committee (Report of the Committee on
Financial Inclusion in India (2008)) defines it as: "Financial inclusion may be defined
as the process of ensuring access to financial services and timely and adequate
credit where needed by vulnerable groups such as weaker sections and low income
groups at an affordable cost." The financial services include the entire gamut -
savings, loans, insurance, credit, payments etc. By providing these services, the
aim is to help them come out of poverty.

Global Experiences
While in developed countries, the formal financial sector comprising mainly
the banking system serves most of the population, in developing countries, a large
segment of the society, mainly the low-income group, has little access to financial
services, either formal or semi formal. As a result, many people have to necessarily
depend either on their own sources or informal sources of finance, which are
generally at high cost. Most of the population in developed countries (99 per cent in
 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
3

Denmark, 96 per cent in Germany, 91 per cent in the USA and 96 per cent in
France) has bank accounts (Peachy and Roe, 2004). However, formal financial
sectors in most developing countries serve relatively a small segment, often no
more than 20-30 per cent of the population, the vast majority of whom are low
income households in rural areas (ADB, 2007).

Recent data (Table-1 in Annexure-1) shows that countries with large

proportion of population excluded from the formal financial system also show higher
poverty ratios and higher inequality. Typically, countries with low levels of income
inequality tend to have lower levels of financial exclusion, while high levels of
exclusion are associated with the least equal ones. In Sweden, for example, lower
than two per cent of adults did not have an account in 2000 and in Germany, the
figure was around three per cent (Kempson, 2006). In comparison, less than four
per cent of adults in Canada and five per cent in Belgium lacked a bank account
(Buckland et al, 2005). Countries with high levels of inequality record higher levels
of banking exclusion. To illustrate, in Portugal, about 17 per cent of the adult
population had no account of any kind in 2000 (Kempson, 2006).

Policy Response to Financial Exclusion – Country Experiences

The policy responses to such exclusion have been varied. Two major kinds
of policy responses have been implemented by central banks in response to
financial exclusion: codes of practice and specific legislation. In Belgium, a banking
bill was enacted which has been implemented since October 2003. In addition to
setting out the minimum standards for basic bank accounts, it also specifies the
ceiling on charges and a minimum number of free face-to-face transactions. In
France, the law on exclusion of July 1998 reiterated the right to an account first set
out in the 1984 law and has since then simplified the process of exercising the right
to an account. In Canada the legislation enacted in June 2001 requires all banks to
provide accounts without minimum opening balances regardless of employment or
credit history, with minimum identification requirements. A Financial Consumer
 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
4

Agency of Canada has been established to monitor whether financial institutions

adhere to their public commitments. In Sweden, for example, banks cannot refuse
to open a saving or deposit account under Section 2 of the Banking Business Act of
1987; in France, Article 58 of the Banking Act, 1984 recognised the principle of the
right to a bank account; in the US, federal government introduced the Community
Reinvestment Act in 1997, partly in response to concerns about bank branch
closures in low-income neighborhoods. Under this legislation, federal bank
regulatory agencies rate banks on their efforts to serve low-income communities
(Caskey et al, 2006, Kempson et al, 2000).

In Germany, a voluntary code was introduced by the German Bankers

Association in 1996. This makes provision for an 'everyman' current account,
offering basic banking transactions, without an overdraft facility. Likewise, access to
basic banking in the United Kingdom and Australia has been achieved through
voluntary arrangements with banks and has not involved formal charters. In the
United Kingdom, for instance, a Banking Code has been drafted, which requires
banks to inform customers about their basic bank account and its suitability for their
needs. A Financial Inclusion Taskforce, instituted in April 2005, monitors access to
basic banking services. It may, thus, be noted that financial inclusion is a concern
even in developed countries and legislative or regulatory measure to achieve it are
a common feature. Table-2 (Annexure-2) presents the financial inclusion initiatives
in different countries. Table-3 (Annexure-3) illustrates the extent of financial
inclusion in some select countries.

Initiatives for financial inclusion in India

The broad strategy for financial inclusion in India in recent years comprises
the following elements: (i) encouraging penetration into unbanked and backward
areas and encouraging agents and intermediaries such as NGOs, MFIs, CSOs and
business correspondents (BCs); (ii) focusing on a decentralised strategy by using
existing arrangements such as State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) and district
 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
5

consultative committee (DCC) and strengthening local institutions such as co-

operatives and RRBs; (iii) using technology for furthering financial inclusion; (iv)
advising banks to open a basic banking ‘no frills’ account; (vi) emphasis on financial
literacy and credit counseling; and (vii) creating synergies between the formal and
informal segments.

III. FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH IN INDIA

From an annual average growth rate of 3.5 per cent during 1950 to 1980, the
growth rate of the Indian economy accelerated to around 6.0 per cent in the 1980s
and 1990s. In the last four years (2003-04 to 2006-07), the Indian economy grew by
8.8 per cent. In 2005-06 and 2006-07, the Indian economy grew at a higher rate of
9.4 and 9.6 per cent, respectively. Reflecting the high economic growth and a
moderation in population growth rate, the per capita income of the country also
increased substantially in the recent years. Despite the impressive numbers, growth
has failed to be sufficiently inclusive, particularly after the mid-1990s. Agricultural
sector which provides employment to around 60 per cent of the population lost its
growth momentum from that point, though there has been a reversal of this trend
since 2005-06. The percentage of India’s population below the poverty line has
declined from 36 per cent in 1993-94 to 26 per cent in 1999-2000. While India has
witnessed unprecedented economic growth in recent past, its development has
been lopsided with the country trailing on essential social and environmental
parameters of development. The approach paper to the Eleventh Plan indicated
that the absolute number of poor is estimated to be approximately 300 million in
2004-05. Accordingly, the 11th Five Year Plan has adopted “faster and more
Inclusive growth” as the key development paradigm.

The importance of this study lies in the fact that India being a socialist,
democratic republic, it is imperative on the policies of the government to ensure
equitable growth of all sections of the economy. With only 34% of population
engaged in formal banking, India has, 135 million financially excluded households,
 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
6

the second highest number after China. Further, the real rate of financial inclusion
in India is also very low and about 40% of the bank account holders use their
accounts not even once a month. It is universally opined that the resource poor
need financial assistance at reasonable costs and that too with uninterrupted pace.
However, the economic liberalization policies have always tempted the financial
institutions to look for more and more greener pastures of business ignoring the
weaker sections of the society. In India, the financially excluded sections comprise
largely rural masses comprising marginal farmers, landless labourers, oral lessees,
self-employed and unorganized sector enterprises, urban slum dwellers, migrants,
ethnic minorities and socially excluded groups, senior citizens and women. Some of
the features of financial exclusion in India are captured in Figure-1 (Annexure-5).
Some of the important causes of relatively low extension of institutional credit in the
rural areas are risk perception, cost of its assessment and management, lack of
rural infrastructure, and vast geographical spread of the rural areas with more than
half a million villages, some sparsely populated (Mohan, 2006).

It is essential for any economy to aim at inclusive growth involving each and
every citizen in the economic development progression. It is in this context that
financial inclusion should be aimed at inclusive growth in the Indian context. Select
macro-economic and financial indicators of Indian economy are presented here
below in Table-4 (Annexure-4).

IV. ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

India currently faces several issues and challenges in the area of Financial
Inclusion for Inclusive growth. Salient among them are stated here below;
1. Spatial Distribution of Banking Services: Even though after often
emphasized policy intervention by the government and the concerted efforts
of Reserve Bank of India and the public sector banks there has been a
significant increase in the number of bank offices in the rural areas; but it is
 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
7

not in tune with the large population living in the rural areas. For a population
of 70% only 45% of bank offices provide the financial services.
2. Regional Distribution of Banking Services: The analysis by the authors
brings to the fore that there has been uneven distribution of the banking
services in terms of population coverage per bank office in the six regions
viz; Northern, North-eastern, Eastern, Central, Western and Southern
regions of the country.
3. Bank Branches are required to be increased as it has a direct impact on the
progress of financial inclusion. It is clearly established that as the bank
branches increase number of bank accounts also increase significantly.
4. Poverty levels are having direct relationship with the progress of financial
inclusion. The authors have established in their study that as the poverty
levels decrease financial inclusion also increase. As such, there should be
multi fold strategic approach in such poverty dominated areas for financial
inclusion.
5. SC/ST population: It is ascertained by the authors’ study that in the areas of
Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes population the progress of Financial
Inclusion is slow which indicates that the efforts for Financial Inclusion has to
be increased significantly in such areas in order to bring in social and
economic equity in the society.
6. Overcoming Bankers’ Aversion for Financial Inclusion
Even though no banker openly expresses his aversion for the financial
inclusion process, overtly it can be noticed that they are averse to it in view
of the cost aspects involved in opening of no frill accounts.

V. RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY CHOICES

Twenty One Steps for Twenty First Century Financial Inclusion

The authors present here below Twenty One recommendations and policy choices
for successful financial inclusion for inclusive growth in India.
 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
8

Step 1: A New Financial Architecture to Suit the Needs of Inclusive Growth

Keeping in view the dynamics of the changing economy, there is a strong need to
restructure the financial system particularly the rural financial system. The present
system which was enshrined in the late 70s greatly needs a rigorous relook.

Step 2: Coordination with UIDAI

Government of India’s ambitious programme of issuance of multi-purpose Unique
Identity Cards by UIDAI should be of great help for achieving financial inclusion.
There needs to be proper systematic coordination with UIDAI in order to make the
best use of it for the purpose for financial inclusion.

Step 3: Formation of National Financial Inclusion Mission

The authors recommend formation of National Financial Inclusion Mission on the
lines of National Literacy Mission to carry out systematic and coordinated drive for
financial inclusion.
Step 4: Involvement of Education Sector for furthering Financial Inclusion
Involving educational institutions, particularly college students for financial inclusion
drive would not only be cost effective but also would create wide public awareness.

Step 5: Establishment of Financial Counseling Centres

Financial Inclusion drive should not be short-lived; instead a systematic effort
should be structured by establishing FCCs (Financial Counseling Centres) on the
lines of e-Seva centres in Andhra Pradesh for providing financial services.

Step 6: Building Client Capacities

As the saying goes “teach him to fish instead of giving him fish”, it should be the
effort of all the concerned (particularly the financial institutions) to develop these
poor people as prospective customers. Building client capacities would definitely
help all the stakeholders and would to a vibrant financial system
 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
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Step 7: Partnership with Dedicated NGOs and MFIs

Partnering with trustworthy and acclaimed people’s organisations would definitely
accelerate the process of financial inclusion especially in the rural areas. Specific
financial as well as non-financial incentives have to be designed for the spirited
involvement of such organisations

Step 8: Financial Inclusion as a Part of Course Curriculum in High Schools

Financial Inclusion should be imbibed into the course curriculum in high schools so
that the students would understand the importance of financial inclusion for
inclusive growth in the economy which in turn would motivate them to automatically
participate in the financial system.

Step 9: Digitise the Documentation Process for Opening of Bank Accounts

One of the often stated reasons for slow pace of financial inclusion has been the
hassles involved in opening of bank accounts and availing of loans from financial
institutions due to the long process of documentation. To overcome this, there is a
need to digitise the public records for dual purpose of easy accessibility and
storage.

Step 10: Strategize the Provision of Bank Credit

Need is felt to strategize the provision of bank credit to the rural farmer households.
Majority of the marginal farmer households are not at all covered by the formal
finance. As such public sector banks and the co-operative banks in the rural areas
have to sensitize about the need for provision of timely and cheaper credit to these
segments. Reserve Bank of India in consultation with NABARD should come out
with a comprehensive strategy for revitalizing the quiescent rural credit mechanism.

Step 11: Exclusive Focus on the Socialyl Excluded and the Poor
It is imminent to encompass the socially excluded sections and the poor like, tenant
farmers, oral lessees and share croppers, marginal farmers with small un-
 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
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economical land holdings, agricultural laborers, rural artisans and people involved in
making handicrafts and also majority of weavers in handloom Sector.

Step 12: Extensive use of Co-operatives

PACS (Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies) could provide valuable services
to their members with a sense of belongingness. Accordingly, there is a need to
revitalize these cooperatives as per the Vaidyanathan Committee recommendations
and use them extensively for financial inclusion in the rural areas.

Step 13: Undoubtedly a Greater Role for NABARD

NABARD has to play a pro-active role by partnering with the rural credit institutions
in the field and identify new initiatives that will contribute to effectively improving the
extent of financial inclusion involving SHGs, MFIs, etc.

Step 14: Procedural / Documentation Changes

It is inevitable on the part of the regulators to find out an easy way of procuring the
documents for opening of bank accounts and availing loans. The present guidelines
are more tedious and result in huge costs for the poor in accessing the banks for
any kind of services. Simplifying Mortgage Requirements, Exemption from Stamp
Duty for Loans to Small and Marginal Farmers, Saral Documentation for Agricultural
Loans.

Step 15: Proactive Role of Government

State Governments should be asked by the Central Government to play a pro-
active role in facilitating Financial Inclusion. Issuing official identity documents for
opening accounts, creating awareness and involving district and block level
functionaries in the entire process, meeting cost of cards and other devices for
pilots, undertaking financial literacy drives are some of the ways in which the State
and district administration have involved themselves.
 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
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Step 16: A Role for Rural Post Offices

Post Offices in rural areas can be asked to provide their services in accelerating the
financial inclusion activity. In view of the postman’s intimate knowledge of the local
population and the enormous trust reposed in him post offices can be good use in
the process of financial inclusion

Step 17: Effective Use of Information Technology Solutions

The use of IT enables banks to handle the enormous increase in the volume of
transactions for millions of households for processing, credit scoring, credit record
and follow up. The use of IT solutions for providing banking facilities at doorstep
holds the potential for scalability of the Financial Inclusion initiatives.

Step 18: Adequate Publicity for the Project of Financial Inclusion

In a huge country like India, there needs to be huge publicity for popularizing the
concept and its benefits to the common man. In this direction, a comprehensive
approach has to be developed involving all the concerned at all levels to impress
upon the need for financial inclusion for accelerating the economic growth in the
country.

Step 19: Financial Inclusion as a Corporate Social Responsibility of all the Banks
and Financial Institutions
It should be the endeavour of all the financial institutions to adopt financial inclusion
as a corporate social responsibility and chalk out strategies in tune with the national
policy on financial inclusion.

Step 20: Role of RBI

Reserve Bank needs to take a pro-active role in the accelerating financial inclusion
by involving all the stake holders in the financial system by using its power of moral
suasion as well as regulatory powers.

Step 21: Political Will

 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
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Political will is an all important aspect in any developmental effort. Political

leadership should accord adequate importance for financial inclusion in order to
motivate and mobilise all the weaker sections of the society in favour of financial
inclusion for their economic upbringing.

VI. CONCLUSION
Importance of financial inclusion arises from the problem of financial
exclusion of nearly 3 billion people from the formal financial services across the
world. With only 34% of population engaged in formal banking, India has, 135
million financially excluded households, the second highest number after China.
Further, the real rate of financial inclusion in India is also very low and about 40% of
the bank account holders use their accounts not even once a month. Financial
Inclusion has far reaching consequences, which can help many people come out of
abject poverty conditions. Financial inclusion provides formal identity, access to
payments system & deposit insurance. The objective of financial inclusion is to
extend the scope of activities of the organized financial system to include within its
ambit people with low incomes. Through graduated credit, the attempt must be to lift
the poor from one level to another so that they come out of poverty. There is a need
for coordinated action between the banks, the Government and others to facilitate
access to bank accounts amongst the financially excluded.

VII. REFERENCES

ADB, (2007): “Low-Income Households' Access to Financial Services”, International

Experience, Measures for Improvement and the Future; Asian Development
Bank

Buckland, J., and B. Guenther (2005): 'There Are No Banks Here, Financial and
Insurance Exclusion in Winnipeg’ North End', Social Sciences and
Humanities Research Council of Canada (September)

Caskey, J. P., C. R. Duran, C. R. and T. M. Solo (2006): 'The Urban Unbanked in

 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
13

Mexico and the United States', World Bank Policy research Working Paper
3835.

H.M. Treasury, (2007): “Financial Inclusion: the Way Forward”, HM Treasury, UK,
March.

Kempson, E. (2006): “Policy Level Response to Financial Exclusion in Developed

Economies: Lessons for Developing Countries”, Paper for Access to
Finance: Building Inclusive Financial Systems, World Bank, Washington,
May.

Kempson, E., J. Caskey, C. Whyley and S. Collard (2000): “In or Out?” London:
Financial Services Authority

Mohan, R. (2006): 'Agricultural Credit in India: Status, Issues and Future Agenda',
Economic and Political Weekly (March), pp.1013-23.

Peachy, S. and A. Roe, (2004): “Access to Finance - What Does it Mean and How
Do Savings Bank Foster Access?”, Brussels: World Savings Bank Institute.

Report of the Committee on Financial Inclusion in India (Chairman: C. Rangarajan)

(2008), Government of India

Sen, Amartya, (2000): ‘Development as Freedom’, Anchor Books, New York, 2000.

World Bank (2006), World Development Indicators, World Bank, Washington

World Bank (2008): “Finance for All - Policies and Pitfalls in Expanding Access”,
World Bank, Washington

Annexure-1
 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
14

Table-1: Financial Inclusion and Development Indicator

Composite Index of Poverty
Financial Inclusion (per cent of Unemployment
Country (per cent of population population during 2000-04 Gini Index
with access to below (per cent)
financial services) poverty line)
1 2 3 4 5
India 48 28.6 (1999-00) 4.3 32.5 (1999-00)
Bangladesh 32 49.8 (2000) 3.3 31.8 (2000)
Brazil 43 22.0 (1998) 9.7 58.0( 2003)
China 42 4.6 (1998) 4.0 44.7 (2001)
Indonesia 40 27.1 (1999) 9.9 34.3 (2002)
Korean
63 .. 3.5 31.6 (1998)
Republic
Malaysia 60 15.5 (1989) 3.5 49.2 (1997)
Philippines 26 36.8 (1997) 9.8 46.1 (2000)
Sri Lanka 59 25.0 (1995-96) 9.0 33.2 (1999-00)
Thailand 59 13.1 (1992) 1.5 42.0 (2002)
Source: World Bank (2006) and (2008).

Annexure-2
Table-2: Financial Inclusion Initiatives in different countries
Country Legislation Objectives
instrument /
Policy Scheme
United Social Exclusion To reduce social exclusion of which financial inclusion is an
Kingdom Unit (SEU), 1997 integral part
Policy Action To look in an integrated way at the problems of poor
Teams (PATs) neighborhoods
Financial Inclusion 1. Access to banking, access to affordable credit
Task Force 2. Access to face-to-face money advice
Financial Inclusion 1. Access to banking services
Fund 2. Access to affordable credit
3. Access to money advice
United The Community 1. Prohibits discrimination by banks against low and moderate
States of Reinvestment Act, income neighborhoods
America 1977 2. To make mortgage loans to lower-income households
3. banks are rated every three years on their efforts in meeting
community credit needs
Matched Savings 1. Prohibits discrimination by banks against low and moderate
Scheme (MSS) income neighborhoods
1997 2. Matching money has to be spent on one of a range of
prescribed uses such as education, business or home purchase
France Banking Act, 1984 1. Any person with French nationality has the right to open an
account with any bank
 Role of Financial Inclusion for Inclusive Growth in India-Issues & Challenges
15

2. If refused the aggrieved person can apply to the Banque de

France to designate a bank that should open an account
French Banker’s Committed to providing; Affordable account, Cash Card, Free
Association (Basic access to a cash machine, Distance payment facilities, Bank
Banking Service Statement and Negotiable number of cheques
Charter of 1992)
Australia Australian Bankers 1. Generic Account was introduced in 2002
Association (ABA) 2. Staff to give information about suitable accounts to low-
Code of Practice, income customers
1995 3. Face-to-face banking services even after branch closure
through alternative means such as franchising
4. Three months written notice to customers before closing any
Branch
Rural 1. to provide banking and other transaction services to
Transformation communities without banking facilities
Centre Programme 2. Using existing stores and post offices or stand-alone centres
(RTCP) 3. Install Electric Point of Sale (EPOS) equipment in post offices
Belgium Charter of Basic 1. Provide a basic bank account with no minimum balance and
Banking Services, without overdraft facilities
1996 2. Credit transfers, direct debits, and deposit and withdrawal
facilities
3. If refused, customer must be informed the reasons, i.e.,
laundering, bad credit history, etc.
Basic Banking Act, Sanctions if principles of Charter on Basic Banking Services,
2003 1996 are not applied
Canada Access to Basic 1. Personal bank accounts to all Canadians regardless of
Banking Services employment or credit history and with minimum identification
Regulations, 2003 requirements
2. Banks/FIs to encash government cheques at no charge

Annexure-3
Table-3: Extent of Financial Inclusion- Some Select Countries
Country Percent of population with an account
USA 91
Denmark 99
Europe 89.6
Botswana 47
Brazil 43
South Africa 31.7
Namibia 28.4
Mexico 21.3
Source: Rakesh Mohan (2006), Economic Growth,
Financial Deepening and Financial Inclusion

Annexure-4
 Role of
o Financial In
nclusion for In
nclusive Grow
wth in India-Isssues & Challeenges
16

Tab
ble-4: Selectt Macro-Ecoonomic and Financial Indicators
I o Indian Ecconomy
of
Macro-eeconomic ind dicators 1992-993 2008-09
1. Population
P (in
n mn) 872 1138
2. Per
P capita inco ome*(in Rupeees) 7698 33299
3. GDP
G (constan nt prices) (in Crores)
C 7921500 4303654
5. Scheduled
S Commmercial Bannks 76 80
6. SCB
S branchess 758211 64608
7. SCB
S Rural & Semi-urban branches
b 330255 36204
8.N
No. of ATMs -NA- 43651
9. Bank
B assets (in
n Crores) 3857788 52,41,330
10. SCB Gross Advances
A (in Crores) 1519822 30,00,906
11. SCB Depositts (in Crores) 2685722 40,63,203
12. SCB Net Pro ofit (in Croress) (-)41500 52,771
13. Priority secto
or lending(in Crores) 590977 1,68,506
14. SCB Loans A/Cs
A under SB BLP(in 000s)) 0.255 2831
15. SCB Loans O/SO under SB BLP (in Croress) 0.29 16,149
16. No. of RRBss 196 86 (aft
fter amalgamaation)
17. RRBs Assetss (in Crores) 9860 145824
18. RRB Depositts (in Crores)) 6960 117984
19. RRB Advancces (in Croress) 4474 69030
20. RRBs Profit (in Crores) (-) 3111 1830
21. No. of Local Area Banks (LABs) - 4
22. LAB Assets - 786.6
23. No. of Coopeeratives 97782
24. No. of Kisan n Credit Cardss Issued
- 84.6
(Nuumbers in million)
25. Financial Assistance Sancctioned and
Disbbursed by Fin nancial Instituutions - 88,973
(in Crores)
C
26. No. of No-friill accounts - 33,024,761
Source: Reserv
ve Bank of Inddia Publicationss
Ann nexure-5
Figure
F 1: Feeatures of Financial
F Exxclusion in India
I
No  
Bank 
No   A/C
N
No 
realisabl
e assets Cre
edit

Financial 
No  No 
acccess to  Exxclusion
fin
nancial  Saving
a
advice s
No 
No  Payment 
Insur and 
transfer 
ance system
 
Source: Com
mpiled by authoors