Sitharaman inaugurates Union Bank’s ‘Nari Shakti’ branches; empower women entrepreneurs

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated five "Nari Shakti" branches of the Union Bank of India on November 9, 2024. The virtual inauguration, held from Bengaluru, was attended by Union Bank’s MD & CEO A. Manimekhalai. These new branches, located in Bengaluru, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Jaipur, focus on empowering women entrepreneurs by providing dedicated financial services. Sitharaman encouraged the bank to develop more technology-driven, cluster-based schemes exclusively for women, aiming to strengthen their role in national development and job creation.

She also urged women entrepreneurs to leverage these offerings to grow their businesses and contribute to the economy. The Nari Shakti branches provide specialised banking support, emphasising credit access for women-led manufacturing and service businesses. In addition, they offer advisory services, startup workshops, skill development programs, and mentorship opportunities. During the inauguration, Union Bank handed over credit sanction letters to beneficiaries under its targeted schemes.