SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Bank will open at least 40 new branches during the current year, with another 60 to 70 branches planned for next year, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Amitava Chatterjee said on Friday.
Chatterjee said the expansion was aimed at strengthening the bank’s physical presence and improving access to banking services for customers across its network. He announced after inaugurating a new extension counter, describing it as another step towards enhancing the bank’s service delivery.
On the bank’s recruitment process, Chatterjee said the relevant notification would be issued to newspapers during the day, although he did not disclose the number of vacancies or the proposed recruitment schedule.
Meanwhile, the Shaher-e-Khaas Traders Alliance has welcomed J&K Bank’s Special One-Time Settlement Scheme, RAHAT (SOTS-2026), saying it could provide relief to traders and other borrowers facing financial distress.
Alliance President Nazir Ahmad Shah said the scheme had come at a crucial time when businesses were grappling with financial liabilities amid difficult market conditions and declining business activity.
He said the initiative would give eligible borrowers an opportunity to settle outstanding loan accounts under the prescribed terms, enabling them to overcome financial stress and revive their businesses.
Shah urged the bank to ensure transparent, simplified and borrower-friendly implementation of the scheme. He also called on bank branches and officials to guide applicants properly about eligibility, settlement terms and the required formalities.
The Alliance appealed to eligible traders to approach their respective bank branches within the stipulated period to avail themselves of the scheme.
Separately, J&K Bank on Thursday organised the second meeting under its Customer Care Town Hall series in Anantnag, bringing together around 150 customers, branch managers and senior officials to discuss service delivery, grievance redressal and digital banking security.
The meeting was chaired by General Manager (Customer Care) Narjay Gupta in the presence of General Manager and Divisional Head (Kashmir) Arshad Qadri and Chief Risk Officer Altaf Hussain Kira.
During the interaction, customers raised issues concerning banking services and grievance redressal. The risks associated with mule accounts and allowing third parties to use personal bank accounts for receiving or transferring money were also discussed.
Gupta said direct interaction with customers and branch managers helped the bank identify shortcomings in its processes and improve services at the branch level.
Bank officials stressed the importance of resolving customer complaints within prescribed turnaround times and keeping customers informed about the status of their grievances.
A resource person from Cyber Police, Anantnag, also delivered a presentation on different forms of cyber fraud, methods of prevention and precautions required while using digital banking services.
The bank said the Town Hall initiative would be extended to all its Zonal Offices across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and other parts of the country.
