The State Bank of India (SBI) is set to offer essential banking services to more than 1.8 million travellers crossing India’s land borders with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Chief General Manager Debashish Mishra announced the initiative following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SBI and the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI).
Under the agreement, SBI will provide a comprehensive range of financial services at entry and exit points managed by LPAI, including foreign exchange, export-import support, corporate salary packages, and card payment solutions. Digital banking facilities such as net banking, phone banking, debit and credit cards, foreign travel cards, and point-of-sale (POS) terminals will also be made available to ease transactions for cross-border travellers.
SBI plans to expand operations at major land ports, including Petrapole on the Bangladesh border in West Bengal and Raxaul on the Nepal border in Bihar, which together account for 80% of the cross-border footfall. Currently, LPAI operates 15 land ports, with 11 more in the pipeline, supporting smoother movement of goods and passengers across India’s borders while ensuring security compliance.
The bank currently operates 11 branches near key land ports and has plans to establish additional banking outlets as needed. This initiative aligns with SBI’s vision of delivering accessible banking solutions to travellers and businesses engaging in cross-border commerce.
Meanwhile, SBI continues to strengthen its vast network of 22,500 branches and 63,580 ATMs nationwide, serving over 500 million customers. The expansion of banking services at land ports underscores its commitment to financial inclusion, modernizing transaction capabilities at border trade hubs, and supporting India’s growing regional connectivity.
