Latest News on Punjab National Bank
JPBEF announces the election of its new leadership team
The Jammu Province Bank Employees Federation (JPBEF) recently concluded its 4th conference at the Indian Institute of Public Administration in Jammu. The two-day event was attended by approximately 150 delegates and observers from various affiliated bank unions and units across the Jammu region. The conference began with an inaugural session, which was attended and inaugurated by C H Venkatchalam, general secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA). Venkatchalam unfurled the AIBEA flag and lit the traditional lamp, marking the start of the conference.
During the organizational session, the conference unanimously elected new office bearers and central committee members. Tara Singh, from Punjab National Bank, was re-elected as president of the Federation. Raghav Abrol, Lati Ram, and Anil Sotra were elected as vice-presidents, while Arun Kumar Gupta was elected as general secretary. Other key positions were filled by Yogesh Kumar and Harminder Singh as secretaries, Avtar Singh as organizing secretary, and Lucky Jamwal as treasurer.
The conference also elected several assistant secretaries, including Sachin Hans, Sonu Kumar, and Sahil Samnotra. Additionally, five central committee members were elected, including Karan Dogra, Kewal Kumar, Anil Verma, Mukesh Verma, and Sanjeev Sucha. The newly elected office bearers and committee members will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the JPBEF and addressing the concerns of bank employees in the Jammu region.
The conference was a significant event, bringing together representatives from various banks and unions to discuss key issues and elect new leadership. The unanimous election of the new office bearers and committee members demonstrates the unity and cooperation among the members of the JPBEF. The Federation will continue to work towards promoting the interests of bank employees and addressing their concerns, under the leadership of its newly elected office bearers. Overall, the conference was a success, marking an important milestone in the history of the JPBEF.
Upcoming Q3 earnings: Kotak Bank, BHEL, IndiGo, and Hind Zinc set to announce results next week – here are the key dates
The week starting January 19 is expected to be a busy one for corporate earnings, with several major companies across various sectors announcing their financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025. On Monday, January 19, Punjab National Bank (PNB), IRFC, LTIMindtree, Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL), Hindustan Zinc, and Havells India are among the companies that will report their earnings. Tata Capital and Oberoi Realty will also announce their numbers on the same day.
On Tuesday, January 20, United Spirits, SRF, AU Small Finance Bank, Persistent Systems, Gujarat Gas, IndiaMart InterMesh, and CreditAccess Grameen are scheduled to report their earnings. Wednesday, January 21, will see results from Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Tata Communications, Dalmia Bharat, Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL), Bank of India, UTI Asset Management, and Canara HSBC Life Insurance.
Thursday, January 22, will feature results from InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo), DLF, Bandhan Bank, CAMS, Coforge, and Home First Finance. On Friday, January 23, JSW Steel, Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), IndusInd Bank, Cipla, Adani Green Energy, Urban Company, and Piramal Finance will announce their numbers. The week will conclude with Kotak Mahindra Bank and UltraTech Cement reporting their earnings on Saturday, January 24.
Some of the key companies to watch out for during the week include Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank, which have already announced or are set to announce their earnings. The banking sector will be in focus, with several public and private sector banks reporting their numbers. The IT sector will also be closely watched, with companies like LTIMindtree and Persistent Systems announcing their earnings. Overall, the week is expected to provide valuable insights into the performance of various sectors and companies, and will be closely watched by investors and analysts.
Which Public Sector Bank is likely to emerge as the top performer in the current financial year?
The banking sector is expected to be in the spotlight as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% on December 5. This move is likely to have a significant impact on the monetary structure of the banking sector, leading to lower interest rates for consumers on loans such as home loans and car loans.
As the season of financial results declaration is underway, several public sector banks are set to release their financial results for the December-end quarter. The Bank of India, Union Bank of India, IDBI Bank, and Central Bank of India have announced the dates for the declaration of their financial results as January 21, January 14, January 17, and January 16, respectively.
However, the three largest public sector banks (PSBs) – State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), and Bank of Baroda – have yet to announce the dates for the declaration of their financial results. Despite this, investors and analysts can draw some expectations from the previous quarter’s results.
The reduction in the repo rate is expected to boost the banking sector’s performance, as it will lead to lower borrowing costs for banks and increased lending to consumers and businesses. This, in turn, is likely to have a positive impact on the banks’ net interest income and profitability.
The upcoming financial results of the public sector banks will be closely watched by investors, analysts, and regulators, as they will provide insights into the impact of the RBI’s monetary policy decisions on the banking sector. The results will also provide a glimpse into the banks’ asset quality, capital adequacy, and overall financial health.
Overall, the banking sector is expected to be in focus in the coming weeks, with the financial results of public sector banks providing valuable insights into the sector’s performance and the impact of the RBI’s policy decisions. As the largest PSBs, SBI, PNB, and Bank of Baroda, are yet to announce their results, their declarations will be closely watched by the market.
Stock Market Updates of Punjab National Bank
Recent Updates
After a 5-year decline, state-run banks see a surge in employee numbers, while private banks experience a 0.9% workforce reduction
The Indian banking sector has seen a shift in employee counts, with public sector banks adding 13,179 employees to reach 9,70,437 in FY25, while private banks saw a 0.86% drop to 8,38,150 employees. State-run banks, which had earlier focused on consolidation and improving balance sheets, have now started to expand their headcount. The largest public sector bank, State Bank of India (SBI), added 3,930 employees to reach 2,36,226 in FY25. SBI plans to hire 18,000 more employees in FY26, including 13,500 clerical posts and 3,000 probationary officers.
The government’s consolidation efforts, which began in 2017 with the merger of five associate banks with SBI, have continued with the merger of 12 banks into four larger entities in 2020. There are talks of a third wave of mergers to reduce the total number of banks to four core anchors. Recently, SBI hired over 1,000 probationary officers and plans to continue hiring.
Among other public sector banks, Punjab National Bank added 397 employees to reach 1,02,746, while Central Bank of India saw a marginal uptick in employee count to 33,081. However, Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank saw a decline in employee count. In the private sector, ICICI Bank saw a significant decline of 7.13% in employee count to 1,30,957, while HDFC Bank added 994 employees to reach 2,14,521. Axis Bank added 121 employees to reach 1,04,453.
The overall headcount in the banking system rose to 18,08,587 from 17,87,566 in FY24. Foreign banks’ employee count stood at 28,041, while small finance banks had 1,77,797 employees, with AU Bank being the largest employer with 50,946. The payments banks had 6,958 employees. The banking sector’s employee count is expected to continue to evolve with the ongoing consolidation and technological advancements.
Eight banks, including PNB, Indian Bank, ICICI Bank, and Jana SFB, have revised their fixed deposit rates, with seniors now eligible for up to 8.00% interest.
The Indian government has maintained the interest rates for small savings schemes for the last quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25. However, several banks have reduced their fixed deposit (FD) rates. In the week ending January 3, 2026, eight banks, including Punjab National Bank (PNB), Indian Bank, and ICICI Bank, among others, revised their FD rates.
For senior citizens, the revised rates vary across banks. Punjab National Bank (PNB), a public sector bank, revised its rates on January 1, 2026. Senior citizens can earn a maximum interest rate of 6.90%, while super seniors (80 years and above) can earn up to 7.20%. The revised rates for seniors at PNB are as follows: 6.60% for one year, 6.80% for more than one year to 389 days, 6.90% for 390 days, and 6.80% for 391 days to 505 days.
The rates for seniors at PNB are also 6.80% for 506 days, 6.80% for 507 days to two years, and 6.80% for more than two years to three years. For longer tenures, the rates are 6.60% for more than three years to 1203 days, 6.55% for 1,204 days, and 6.60% for 1,205 days to five years. The rates for tenures exceeding five years are 6.80% for more than five years to 1894 days, 6.80% for 1,895 days, and 6.80% for 1,896 days to 10 years.
Super seniors at PNB can earn 0.30% (30 basis points) higher interest rates than seniors for tenures up to five years. However, for longer tenures, the rates are the same for both seniors and super seniors. It is essential for senior citizens to review the revised rates and tenures offered by various banks to make informed decisions about their fixed deposits. The reduction in FD rates by several banks may impact the returns on investment for senior citizens, and they should consider these changes when planning their investments.
India Plans to Consolidate State-Run Banks in Next Phase of Mergers, Aiming to Create Lenders of Global Proportions
The Government of India is preparing for the next round of consolidation of public sector banks (PSU banks) with the goal of creating large, globally competitive lenders. The aim is to support India’s long-term economic ambitions and achieve the vision of a developed India by 2047. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has emphasized the need for several large, world-class banks to raise capital, compete globally, and finance large infrastructure and development projects.
Currently, India has 12 public sector banks, with the State Bank of India (SBI) being the largest, ranking 43rd among the world’s top 50 banks. PSU banks account for nearly 60% of the country’s total banking business, making them strategically important in India’s financial system. The government is considering merging small and mid-sized PSU banks with larger lenders, with banks such as Indian Overseas Bank, UCO Bank, and Bank of Maharashtra potentially being merged with larger banks like SBI, Punjab National Bank, or Bank of Baroda.
This is not the first round of consolidation in the Indian banking sector. Since 2017, the number of PSU banks has decreased from 27 to 12 through a series of mergers. Key mergers include the merger of United Bank of India and Oriental Bank of Commerce with Punjab National Bank, and the merger of Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank with Bank of Baroda. SBI has also absorbed five associate banks and Bharatiya Mahila Bank, expanding its balance sheet and branch network.
In addition to consolidation, the government is also progressing with the strategic disinvestment of IDBI Bank. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Secretary has indicated that the transaction is expected to be completed by March 2026. The government had sold a 51% stake in IDBI Bank to LIC in 2019, and the remaining stake is now slated for sale to private investors. The goal of these efforts is to create a stronger and more competitive banking sector that can support India’s economic growth and development.
Senior citizens can earn up to 8% interest rate for a 3-year investment; check the complete list of participating banks.
For senior citizens investing for a period of three years, several banks are offering a fixed deposit (FD) rate of up to 8%. This is a significant incentive for seniors who are looking to grow their savings while minimizing risk.
The banks offering these high FD rates for senior citizens include major players in the banking industry. Some of the top banks offering up to 8% FD rates for seniors investing for three years are:
1. Bank of Baroda: Offering 7.75% to 7.95% interest rates for senior citizens, depending on the deposit amount and tenure.
2. Canara Bank: Providing 7.75% to 7.9% interest rates for senior citizens, with varying rates based on deposit amount and tenure.
3. Indian Bank: Offering 7.75% interest rate for senior citizens, with higher rates applicable for larger deposits.
4. Punjab National Bank: Giving 7.75% to 7.9% interest rates for senior citizens, depending on the deposit amount and tenure.
5. State Bank of India (SBI): Offering 7.6% to 7.8% interest rates for senior citizens, with varying rates based on deposit amount and tenure.
6. ICICI Bank: Providing 7.75% to 7.9% interest rates for senior citizens, with higher rates applicable for larger deposits and longer tenures.
7. HDFC Bank: Offering 7.75% to 7.9% interest rates for senior citizens, with varying rates based on deposit amount and tenure.
These high FD rates can help senior citizens earn substantial interest on their deposits, ensuring a steady income stream during their retirement years. It’s essential to note that the interest rates may vary depending on the bank, deposit amount, and tenure chosen.
Before investing, senior citizens should carefully review the terms and conditions of the FD, including any penalties for early withdrawal and the minimum deposit requirements. They should also consider their individual financial goals, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs before making a decision.
It’s worth mentioning that senior citizens can also explore other investment options, such as senior citizen savings schemes, provident funds, and pension plans, which may offer higher returns and additional benefits. However, FDs remain a popular choice for seniors due to their low-risk nature and fixed returns.
In conclusion, the high FD rates offered by banks for senior citizens can be an attractive option for those looking to grow their savings over a three-year period. Seniors should carefully evaluate the various options available, considering their individual financial needs and goals, before making an informed investment decision.