Indian Banks have closed 37 Overseas branches till date and another 60 – 70 branches are under review. This article gives an overall summary of Indian banks presence internationally, reason for reducing number of branches and bankwise update on branches closed or in process of closing.
Summary of Indian Banks Presence Internationally
| Formation | Number of Locations | Remarks |
| Overall Presence | 302 | State Bank of India : 92 Bank of Baroda : 70 Bank of India : 38 Rest others |
| Branches * | 185 | United Kingdom : 32 Hong Kong : 13 UAE : 13 Singapore : 12 Rest others |
| Subsidiary | 26 | Data does not include branches of subsidiaries |
| Joint Venture Bank | 8 | – |
| Representative Office | 48 | – |
| Other Offices | 35 | Electronic Banking Service Unit; Extension Counter; Indian Visa Centres; Marketing office; Sub office; Remittance centre; Regional Head Office |
* 41 branches were in loss in the financial year 2016-17
Rationalisation of Overseas Operation of PSBs
Public Sector Banks (PSBs) Manthan was held on November 11-12, 2017 in which below recommendations were made related to overseas operations of nationalized banks.
AP-14. Rationalise overseas operations within and across PSBs for cost & efficiencies and synergies in overseas markets:
(a) Based on competitive strength and viability
(b) Draw up Business-Unit-wise Board-approved plan, for time-bound closure/consolidation as per due procedure, to:
(i) Close non-viable branches;
(ii) Consolidate operations in the same geography, taking into account operations of other PSBs; and
(iii) Consolidate equity stake in joint venture having multiple PSB partners
Impact on Buyers Credit & Suppliers Credit
- Less number of branches, means less competition. Overall costing of transaction will go up.
- Over a period of time, branches had their niche in market. Like there are few branches dealing only in small ticket transaction (< $1 lac). With closure of any of these niche branches, it will become difficult for arranging funds for small ticket transactions.
Bankwise update on Closure / Merging of Overseas Branches
State Bank of India Overseas Branches Latest Update
| Overseas Location | Closure Date |
| SBI Paris Branch | 30 September 2018 |
| SBI Tianjin (China) Branch | 30 September 2018 |
| SBI Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) Branch | 30 June 2018 |
| SBI Muskat (Oman) Branch | 31 March 2019 |
| SBI Jaffna (Sri Lanka) Branch | 30 September 2018 |
| State Bank of India (Botswana) Ltd | 31 March 2019 |
| SBI London | Converted Into Subsidiary |
Reference: DNA Article
Bank of India Overseas Branches Latest Update
| Overseas Location | Status |
| Bank of India Bostwana Subsidiary | To Be closed |
| Bank of India Myanmar (Yangon) Representative Office | To Be closed |
| Bank of India Phnom Penh Branch, Cambodia | To Be closed |
| Bank of India, Shenzhen Branch, China | To Be closed |
| Bank of India Kisumu Branch, Kenya | To Be closed |
| Bank of India Jersey Branch, Channel Islands | To Be closed |
| Bank of India Beijing Representative Branch, China | To Be closed |
| Bank of India Manchester Branch, UK | To be Merged with Birmingham Branch |
| Bank of India Eastham Branch, UK | To be Merged with London Branch |
Reference: Business Today, The Hindu Line
Canara Bank Overseas Branches Latest Update
| Overseas Location | Status |
| Canara Bank Shanghai Branch | Merging with Canara Hong Kong Branch |
| Canara Bank Bahrain Branch | Merging with Canara Dubai Branch |
| Canara Bank Leicester Branch | Merging with Canara London Branch |
| Canara Bank Russia (Joint Venture) | Selling to SBI Russia |
| Canara Bank Johannesburg Branch | Closing Down |
Reference: Rediff.com
Bank of Baroda Overseas Branches Latest Update
| Overseas Location | Closure Date |
| Bank of Baroda Hongkong Branch | To be closed |
| Bank of Baroda South Africa Branch | Closed |
| Bank of Baroda Nassu Branch, Bahamas | 6 July 2018 |
| Bank of Baroda Mutrah Branch, Oman | Merged with Greater Mutrah Branch |
| Bank of Baroda Bahrain Branch | 28 June 2018 |
| Bank of Baroda UK Branches | Formation of subsidiary at UK viz. Bank of baroda (UK) Ltd. is at advanced stage and necessary approval has been received from Prudential Regulatory Authority |
Reference: BSE India, Economic Times Article, Business Today,
Indian Overseas Bank Overseas Branches Latest Update
| Overseas Location | Status |
| IOB Dubai Branch | To be closed |
Reference: Business Today
IDBI Bank Overseas Branches Latest Update
| Overseas Location | Status |
| IDBI Dubai Branch | To be closed |
Reference: Business Today
Punjab National Bank Overseas Branches Latest Update
| Overseas Location | Status |
| PNB Sydney Representative Office | Looking to Close |
| PNB Dhaka Representative Office | Looking to Close |
| PNB Dubai Representative Office | Looking to Close |
| PNB Shanghai Representative Office | Looking to Close |
| PNB Kowloon Branch | 17 August 2018 |
Reference: Money Control, First Post
Union Bank of India Overseas Branches Latest Update
| Overseas Location | Status |
| Union Bank of India Shanghai Representative Office | Closed |
Reference: Business Today
Andhra Bank Overseas Branches Latest Update
| Overseas Location | Status |
| Andhra Bank Dubai Branch | Closed |
Reference: Business Today
Allahabad Bank Overseas Branches Latest Update
| Overseas Location | Status |
| Allahabad Bank Hong Kong Branch | To be closed |
Reference: Economic Times
UCO Bank Overseas Branches Latest Update
UCO Bank to merge branches in Hong Kong
Buyer's Credit & Supplier's Credit 