Institutional OverviewPunjab
National Bank (PNB) is a state-owned commercial bank established on May 19, 1894 and headquartered at Plot No 4, Sector -10 Dwarka, New Delhi, India. As one of the oldest banks in India, PNB was founded by prominent individuals such as Lala Lajpat Rai to provide financial support to local businesses and individuals in India. The bank is 73.12% owned by the Government of India (as of March 31, 2024) and the rest is held by the public, listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) under the ticker code 532419. PNB's services cover all 28 states and 7 Union Territories of India with about 11,367 branches spread across both urban and rural areas. The bank offers more than 10,000 ATMs through the LankaPay network, ensuring convenient deposits and withdrawals across the country. In addition, PNB has branches in 23 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Kazakhstan, and the United Arab Emirates, serving non-resident Indians (NRIs) and international customers. PNB has further expanded its financial product portfolio through its subsidiaries, such as PNB MetLife India Limited, which provides insurance and asset management services. Banks are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and are subject to the Banking Act and related regulations. Its deposits are protected by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) and each depositor is compensated up to Rs 500,000. The compliance record is generally good, with no major breaches reported in recent years, despite being in the spotlight for fraud incidents in 2018.
Financial HealthPNB
is in a strong financial position, with key indicators for 2024 showing it to outperform among public banks in India. The capital adequacy ratio is approximately 15.5%, which is in line with Basel III requirements, indicating that the bank has sufficient capital to cover potential risks. The gross non-performing loan ratio was approximately 5.73% and the net non-performing loan ratio was approximately 0.73%, which were lower than the industry average and reflected a significant improvement in asset quality. The liquidity coverage ratio is about 125%, indicating that banks have sufficient liquidity to meet short-term needs. In 2024, total assets reached Rs.24.38 trillion, up about 8 per cent YoY, net profit grew about Rs.8.2 billion, YoY about 57 per cent, and total revenue grew about Rs.55 billion, up about 15 per cent YoY. Banks maintain profitability through strict cost control and revenue diversification, such as retail lending, agricultural lending, and SME financing. In 2024, PNB raised Rs 500 crore through a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), further strengthening its capital base.
Deposit & Loan
ProductsPNB offers a wide range of deposit products to meet the needs of individuals, businesses and special groups. Demand Accounts include Ordinary Savings Accounts, PNB Diamond Accounts and Electronic Savings Accounts (PNB E-Save) with unlimited deposits and withdrawals, SMS alerts and mobile banking services. The minimum deposit requirement is INR 1000 and the interest rate is around 2.9%-3.5% (subject to bank confirmation). Fixed deposits offer a tenor of 7 days to 10 years, and the interest rate varies depending on the amount and tenor, e.g. 3.0% for 7 days to 45 days, 6.0%-6.75% for 1 to 3 years, and 7.25% for more than 3 years (2024 data, subject to confirmation). Featured products include:
- PNB Junior SF Account: A savings account designed for children that encourages savings habits, offers free ATM withdrawals and financial education.
- PNB Senior Citizen Savings: Additional 0.5%-0.75% interest rates, priority services, and medical insurance benefits for customers over 60 years of age.
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: A government-supported savings program designed for girls with an interest rate of around 8.0% and tax incentives.
- Public Provident Fund (PPF): A long-term savings plan backed by the central government with an interest rate of around 7.1% and is suitable for retirement planning.
The bank offers a variety of loan products to meet the needs of both retail and corporate customers. A home loan (PNB) supports the purchase of a house, construction or renovation of a home for a period of up to 30 years, with an interest rate of about 8.2%-9.5% (variable rate, subject to confirmation) and a loan-to-value ratio (LTV) of up to 90%, and the applicant needs to provide proof of identity (such as an Aadhaar card or passport) and proof of income. A PNB car loan is used to purchase a new or used car for a period of up to 7 years, with an interest rate of about 7.0%-8.5% (to be confirmed). A personal loan (PNB) is used for consumer needs such as education, medical care or weddings, with a term of up to 7 years and an interest rate of about 10.5%-12.0% (to be confirmed). Corporate loans include lines of credit, short-term and medium-term loans, with interest rates determined based on market conditions and corporate credit ratings, and are suitable for agriculture, SMEs, and large industrial projects. The bank supports flexible repayment options, allowing early repayment and partial early repayment, and customers can adjust their repayment plans according to their financial situation to reduce interest expenses. Proof of identity and proof of income are required for loan approval, and compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.
List of common
feesPNB's fee structure is transparent, but specific fees need to be consulted by phone (1800 180 2222) or branches. A regular savings account is required to maintain a minimum balance (e.g. Rs 1,000) and a monthly fee of Rs 50-100 may be charged if the target is not met. The management fee may be waived for PNB E-Save accounts, subject to confirmation. Domestic transfers are usually free of charge through NEFT/RTGS, and cross-border transfer fees are around 0.5%-1% (confirmation required). Overdrawn accounts may incur interest charges, the exact amount of which is subject to the account terms. Non-PNB ATM withdrawals may be subject to a fee of INR 20-25 per transaction, which may be waived for some accounts such as child accounts. Customers should read the account terms carefully and be aware of potential fees such as minimum balance requirements, unused account maintenance fees, or credit card annual fees. It is recommended to obtain the latest fee list from the bank's official website ([PNB Official](https://x.com/PNBIndia)) and WhatsApp interact with customers, providing real-time updates and financial education content. However, user feedback shows that the "PNB One" app has technical issues, such as difficult logins, complex interfaces, and slow response times, with a rating of around 3.8/5 on the App Store and Google Play (to be confirmed). In 2024, it launched its robo-banking service "PIHU", marking its further exploration in the fintech field.
Customer Service
QualityPNB provides a diverse range of customer service channels to ensure that customers receive timely support. Service channels include a 24/7 contact centre (1800 180 2222, international customers call +91 120 249 0000), email (care@pnb.co.in), live chat (via website) , platform X ([@PNBIndia](https://x.com/PNBIndia) and some 11,367 branches. The complaint handling mechanism is transparent, customers can submit complaints through the contact form on the official website, and unresolved issues can be escalated to the customer service department or the Financial Ombudsman (Punjab). National Bank, Corporate Office, New Delhi）。 Complaint rate, average resolution time, and satisfaction data are not publicly available, but the process is in line with RBI regulatory requirements. Customer feedback shows that banks are more responsive in urban areas and may experience slight delays in rural areas due to infrastructure constraints. Services are primarily available in English and Hindi, with the possibility of supporting other Indian languages such as Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, etc., and cross-border customers can consult other language support.
Security measures
Deposits are protected by DICGC up to a maximum of Rs 500,000. Banks use real-time transaction monitoring, multi-factor authentication (MFA) and biometrics to prevent fraud, emphasizing that customers will not be asked for passwords or PINs via phone calls, text messages or emails. Banks use social media and websites to post anti-fraud tips to remind customers to be wary of phishing emails and unsecured public Wi-Fi. Online banking and mobile applications are backed by SSL encryption, firewalls, and regular security audits. PNB is ISO 27001:2013 certified to ensure data security in compliance with international standards. As of 2025, no major data breaches have been reported, demonstrating that its data security measures are reliable.
Featured Services & DifferentiationPNB
showcases its differentiated advantages through market segment services and community engagement. The PNB Junior SF Account is fee-free and encourages young people to develop savings habits, with free ATM withdrawals, digital banking services and financial education courses. PNB Senior Citizen Savings offers an additional 0.5%-0.75% interest rate, priority services and medical insurance benefits for customers over the age of 60, such as the health screening program in partnership with PNB MetLife. Green finance products support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, such as PNB Green Loan, with preferential interest rates, in line with India's National Solar Mission and Sustainable Development Goals. High Net Worth (PNB Priority Banking) offers a dedicated relationship manager, customised banking solutions and exclusive experiences such as priority loan approval and investment advisory with a minimum investment of Rs 50 million. The bank is actively involved in education funding, rural development and environmental protection projects. For example, its commitment to social responsibility is demonstrated by providing scholarships to rural students through the "PNB Shiksha" program and supporting green agriculture and renewable energy projects through the "PNB Green" initiative.
Market Position & Accolades
PNB is the leading public bank in India with total assets of about Rs 24.38 trillion in 2024, ranking among the top five public banks in India. Banks are prominent in retail banking, corporate banking and international banking, with retail loans accounting for about 40% of total loans in 2024, with agricultural loans and SME financing accounting for a significant proportion. The bank has won the "Best Public Bank" award several times and has been recognized for its contributions to financial inclusion, rural banking services and digital innovation, such as the "Best Financial Services Award" and the "Best Rural Banking Service Award". In 2024, the bank won the "Best Fintech Initiative" award for the launch of its robo-banking service "PIHU", highlighting its leadership in technological innovation.
Looking
ahead, PNB will continue to drive digital transformation and plan to solve the challenge of 30% of India's population being unbanked through fintech. In 2025, the bank will further expand its service network, especially in rural areas, to enhance customer experience and strengthen its leadership in green finance and financial inclusion. The bank also plans to optimize the loan approval process and improve service efficiency through artificial intelligence and big data analytics.
SummaryThe
Punjab National Bank (PNB) is one of the pillars of India's financial system with its century-old history, extensive service network, and commitment to social responsibility. Whether it is a retail customer, an SME or a high-net-worth customer, banks offer a wide range of financial solutions to meet different needs. Despite technical issues with its mobile app, PNB continues to improve the customer experience through strong customer service and market position. The bank's signature services, such as student accounts, wealth management for the elderly, and green financial products, combined with its community engagement in education and environmental protection, demonstrate its commitment to financial inclusion and sustainability. In the future, PNB is expected to further consolidate its industry leadership position with its continued efforts in the field of digitalization and sustainability.
