Punjab National Bank (PNB) said that more than 95% of its transactions are now done through digital channels. Despite this, the government-owned bank plans to open 250 new branches in the current financial year. This shows how banking habits in India are changing faster than the expansion of physical bank branches.
The bank added 144 new branches in FY26 and said most of the upcoming branches will be opened in southern and western India. At the same time, the bank said digital transactions now make up more than 95% of all transactions.
These numbers show a major change in Indian banking. Customers are increasingly using mobile apps and online services to transfer money, pay bills, and access banking services. However, banks still believe physical branches are important.
PNB said its main mobile app, PNB One, now offers more than 350 features. The number of WhatsApp banking users also increased by 77% to 1.09 crore by March 2026.
“Digital transactions now account for more than 95% of all transactions,” said Ashok Chandra during the earnings call.
The bank also said that more than 35% of its customers are below 30 years of age, showing strong digital adoption among younger users.
Even so, PNB’s expansion plans suggest that branches still have an important role beyond daily banking transactions. The bank said it will continue opening branches as part of its growth strategy, especially in areas where it wants to improve customer reach and business operations.
“We added 144 branches in FY26 and plan to open 250 more in the current financial year,” Chandra said. “These branches will mainly be in southern and western regions.”
The bank also said it is increasing outreach activities in retail, agriculture, and MSME sectors as it aims to grow beyond corporate lending.
The bank said that every third loan is now approved digitally, and digital loan approvals have crossed Rs 1 lakh crore on a gross basis.
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