Syndicate Bank is planning to expand its overseas operations by opening branches in South Africa, UAE, Hong Kong, China and Thailand, according to Sudhir Kumar Jain, the bank’s Chairman and Managing Director.

At present the bank had an overseas branch at London. Besides overseas branches, the bank also plans to open more mid corporate branches to cater to micro, small and medium enterprises.

Recruitment plans

Fostering a customer oriented approach, he said the bank has plans to recruit 2,700 new officers and 2,300 clerks as part of the expansion this year. It has also envisaged plans to improve the skills of the employees by giving them vigorous training to groom them to take future assignments.

Speaking to reporters in Kannur after inaugurating the new branch and an ATM, Jain said that the bank had tied up with two institutions to offer custom made diploma courses. Around 400 students will be given admission and on successful completion of the course, they will be given placement in the bank.

The focus area in Kerala was NRI deposits and the bank had expanded its reach in the state by opening more branches. At present the bank had 216 branches across the state and another 15 more branches would be opened soon.