Bank of Baroda plans to open five more service centres

In addition to the UAE, the bank has presence in two other Gulf countries – Bahrain and Oman. It also has expansion plans for opening its offices in Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

“We have plans to open five more [customer service centres] so we can be very close to our customers,” Ashok K. Gupta, Chief Executive, GCC Operations, Bank of Baroda, told Khaleej Times.

The bank is present in the country for the last 36 years and has six branches and four Electronic Banking Service Units (EBSUs) – known as customer service centres.

When asked about the time-frame for these centres, he said it depends on the UAE Central Bank. “As and when the central bank gives the permission we will open them [EBSUs].”

“The idea is how we can reach to doors of customers through various channels,” Gupta said.

The bank has two branches in Dubai and one each in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. Its EBSUs are located in Jebel Ali, Musaffa, Al Qusais and RAKIA.

Though they known as customer service centres, these are like branch for customers as they fulfill their all day-to-day requirements, Gupta said.

At these centres, customer can avail all the services such as cash withdrawal, opening of current/ savings/ NRI Savings/ NRI FDR/ other accounts; Cheque book issuance, Collection of Cheques; Letter of Credit application/documents acceptance; loan applications for all types of loans; Internet banking/ Debit Cards (for Indian Operations)/ ATM Cards, Internet banking, Remittances to India, Balance Enquiry, statement of accounts (for UAE/ Indian accounts) etc.

Now the people in these areas will not have to go to branch and can get all services at their doorsteps, he said.

The bank has three to five people team at service centres, he said, adding: “Instead of six customers coming to my office, I can go there.”

Last month Namo Narain Meena, Minister of State for Finance, Government of India, inaugurated two 
EBSUs.

Bank of Baroda is one of the largest banks in India, with majority ownership by Government of India. The bank has around 75 overseas offices in 24 countries.

abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com