SBI to launch four SME processing units

State Bank of India, Bengal Circle, plans to set up four small and medium enterprises (SME) processing units across the State in the next six months. The circle currently has one SME processing unit in Kolkata.

These processing units would help in speedy disbursals of SME loans and would aid in building up the bank's SME loan book in the region, Mr Sureinder Kumar, Chief General Manager, SBI Bengal Circle, said.

“SBI Bengal Circle's exposure to SME loans has been increasing over the last two years. The total outstanding currently stands at about Rs 11,000 crore,” Mr Kumar said while speaking at a seminar on avenues of raising fund for SMEs jointly organised by the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Peerless Securities Ltd here on Friday.

SBI Bengal Circle witnessed a 20 per cent growth in its business to Rs one lakh crore in 2011-12. The circle aims to achieve 25 per cent growth in business to Rs 1.25 lakh crore by the end of March 2013, he said.

shobha@thehindu.co.in