Overview
The State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur (SBBJ) was an Indian public sector bank that operated as one of the associate banks of the State Bank of India (SBI). Headquartered in Jaipur, Rajasthan, it served primarily the state of Rajasthan and adjoining regions, with a particular focus on retail banking, agricultural credit, and lending to small and medium enterprises. The bank ceased to exist as a separate entity on 1 April 2017, when it was merged into the State Bank of India along with the other associate banks.
Key facts
| Name | State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur |
|---|---|
| Type | Public sector bank (former associate of SBI) |
| Headquarters | Jaipur, Rajasthan, India |
| Formed by merger | State Bank of Bikaner and State Bank of Jaipur |
| Year of formation | 1963 |
| Parent | State Bank of India |
| Merged into SBI | 1 April 2017 |
| Primary area of operation | Rajasthan |
Background
SBBJ traced its origins to two princely-state banks established in the erstwhile states of Bikaner and Jaipur. The State Bank of Jaipur and the State Bank of Bikaner were both constituted as subsidiaries of the State Bank of India under the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act, 1959. In 1963, the two banks were amalgamated to form the State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur, creating a single associate bank with a strong presence across Rajasthan.
History and timeline
- 1959: The State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act is enacted, providing the legal framework for SBI's associate banks.
- 1963: The State Bank of Bikaner and the State Bank of Jaipur are merged to form the State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur, with its headquarters at Jaipur.
- 2006: SBBJ's equity shares are listed on Indian stock exchanges, making it a publicly traded associate bank with SBI as the majority shareholder.
- 2017: Following approval by the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India, SBBJ is merged into the State Bank of India with effect from 1 April 2017, along with the other associate banks and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank.
Operations
During its existence, SBBJ operated a branch network concentrated in Rajasthan, where it was among the largest banks by branch presence, while also maintaining offices in major cities across India. Its product range covered savings and current accounts, term deposits, retail and home loans, agricultural and rural credit, MSME finance, and corporate banking. The bank participated in priority sector lending and government-sponsored financial inclusion schemes.
Merger with State Bank of India
The merger of SBBJ into SBI was part of a broader consolidation of public sector banking in India. Through the merger, the five remaining associate banks of SBI—SBBJ, the State Bank of Hyderabad, the State Bank of Mysore, the State Bank of Travancore, and the State Bank of Patiala—along with the Bharatiya Mahila Bank, were absorbed into the parent SBI. After the merger, SBBJ's branches, employees, and customer accounts were transitioned into the SBI network.
Significance
SBBJ was historically an important regional banking institution in Rajasthan, supporting trade, handicrafts, agriculture, and small industries in a predominantly arid and rural state. Its consolidation into SBI marked the end of the associate bank structure that had been in place since 1959 and contributed to the creation of one of the largest banks in the world by branch network and customer base.
Related topics
- State Bank of India
- Associate banks of SBI
- State Bank of Hyderabad
- State Bank of Patiala
- State Bank of Travancore
- State Bank of Mysore
- Bharatiya Mahila Bank
- Banking in India
- Reserve Bank of India
- Rajasthan
References
- Wikidata entry: Q3630145
- State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act, 1959, Government of India.