PNB Issues Advisory to Staff on Unauthorized Access to Bank Systems

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has issued an advisory to all its branches and offices, directing staff to strictly follow bank guidelines regarding access to Core Banking Solution (CBS), computer systems, records and bank inventory. As per employees, the advisory was issued on 30 October 2026 by the bank’s Human Resource Management Division.

The advisory has been issued after the recent incident of suspension of around 50 Branch managers across India. PNB has suspended around 50 Branch Managers across India as private employees were found inside Branch during surprise visit of senior officials.

The Zonal Audit Office (ZAO) of Punjab National Bank had sent its staff to branches to conduct surprise visit. In surprise visit, the auditors found that private employees were working on computers and inside cash cabin. The bank viewed this seriously and suspended the branch managers of those branches. Click here to read this news in detail.

What Bank said in Advisory?

The bank said that during surprise and incognito visits conducted by senior officials, unauthorized persons were found performing operational activities on branch systems in certain branches and offices. PNB said such incidents, despite the issuance of several guidelines, circulars and advisories, represent serious violations of bank rules and can cause reputational damage to the bank.

In the advisory, PNB has directed all branches and offices to strictly comply with existing instructions regarding access to bank records, systems and other assets by third parties and outsiders.

The bank has issued the following instructions to branch heads and staff members:

Access restricted to authorized officials: Access to branch systems and bank inventory must be restricted strictly to authorized bank officials.

Confidentiality of login credentials: User IDs, passwords and other authentication credentials must be kept strictly confidential and must not be shared with anyone under any circumstances.

Strict compliance with bank guidelines: All branches and offices must ensure compliance with existing bank instructions regarding unauthorized access by outsiders.

Disciplinary action for violations: Any breach, deviation or non-compliance with these instructions will be viewed seriously. The bank will initiate strict action against the employees concerned, as deemed appropriate under its existing rules and disciplinary framework.