Bangiya Gramin Vikash, Paschim Banga Gramin Bank and Uttarbanga Kshetriya Gramin Bank (hereinafter referred to as the transferor Regional Rural Banks) sponsored by the Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank and Central Bank of India in the State of West Bengal are hereby amalgamated into a single Regional Rural Bank, which shall be called as West Bengal Gramin Bank (hereinafter referred to as the transferee Regional Rural Bank) with its head office at Kolkata under the sponsorship of Punjab National Bank.
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 23A of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 (21 of 1976) (hereinafter referred to as the Act), the Central Government hereby provides for the amalgamation of the said Regional Rural Banks into a single Regional Rural Bank, which shall come into effect on and from the 1st day of May, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as the effective date of amalgamation) with such constitution, property, powers, rights, interests, authorities and privileges; and with such liabilities, duties and obligations as specified hereunder:-
- Bangiya Gramin Vikash, Paschim Banga Gramin Bank and Uttarbanga Kshetriya Gramin Bank (hereinafter referred to as the transferor Regional Rural Banks) sponsored by the Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank and Central Bank of India in the State of West Bengal are hereby amalgamated into a single Regional Rural Bank, which shall be called as West Bengal Gramin Bank (hereinafter referred to as the transferee Regional Rural Bank) with its head office at Kolkata under the sponsorship of Punjab National Bank.
- The authorised capital of the transferee Regional Rural Bank shall be rupees two thousand crore divided into two hundred crore number of fully paid shares of rupees ten each. The subscribed share capital of the transferee Regional Rural Bank shall be equal to the subscribed share capital of transferor Regional Rural Banks and, therefore, the entire subscribed share capital of the transferor Regional Rural Banks shall be deemed to have been transferred to and shall be deemed as subscribed share capital of the transferee Regional Rural Bank.
The prime objective of the Bank remains undiluted, to act as a catalyst to develop rural economy through credit dispensation to productive activities to agrarian populace. With the higher exposure limit, WBGB is now enabled to cater to the need of emerging enterprises mainly in the field of agriculture and MSME. In the process, our focus continues to be on JLG, SHG and KCC in Agriculture Sector and enterprises under MSME Sector particularly those under MUDRA and Retail Credit like Housing Loan, Mortgage Loan, Car Loan etc.
The amalgamated West Bengal Gramin Bank as on 31st March 2025 (Audited) has combined business volume of Rs.51536 Crore (Deposit of Rs.33038 Crore & Advance of Rs.18498 Crore). It will operate in all the districts of the State having 18 Regional Offices with 960 branches & 4421 BC Outlets throughout West Bengal. It is a matter of considerable significance that, according to data from SLBC West Bengal, WBGB (three transferor RRBs combined as on 31st December 2024) stands as the 4th largest Bank in
the state in terms of Branch Network, holds the 14th position in Total Business out of 45 Member Banks of SLBC West Bengal, 3rd in PMJDY Accounts Enrolment, 2nd in Farm Credit Disbursement and proudly occupies the 1st position in SHG Credit Linkage under DAY-NRLM.