
To boost financial inclusion, govt looks to double digital banking units, expand their offerings
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. The union government proposes to expand the network of digital banking units (DBU) across the country by nearly doubling their number to around 200 in just over a year.
It may also allow DBU to provide a larger bouquet of financial products including insurance policies and other financial-inclusion products and schemes of the government, two people aware of the development said. DBUs are specialised, fixed-point business units or hubs equipped with certain minimum digital infrastructure to deliver digital banking products and services as well as servicing existing financial products and services digitally in a convenient and cost-effective way.
Also read: A bank CEO aspirant, his alleged misconduct and RBI deputy guv’s recommendation “Ever since their launch in 2022, DBUs have constantly been expanded to cover all parts of the country, especially semi-urban, rural and remote areas that have limited access to banking services and no digital services. More than 100 DBUs are now operational and we want to fast-track the programme so that a similar number is added by the end of the next fiscal year," said the first person cited above.
While DBUs currently provide ATM-like services – such as depositing and withdrawing cash from bank accounts – the government plans to expand their mandate to include financial products such as insurance and pension. For new products, assisted services will be available for ease of delivery.
“The idea is to extend basic digital services for delivering a host of financial products through the infrastructure set up under DBUs. This will help DBUs turn into a major vehicle of financial inclusion, bringing banking and financial services to the doorsteps of people
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