Punjab National Bank celebrates 130 years of banking excellence

PNB unveiled its commemorative history book, introduced new digital offerings, & launched few CSR initiatives as part of celebration

NEW DELHI: In celebration of its 130th Foundation Day, Punjab National Bank (PNB), nation’s leading public sector bank, unveiled its commemorative history book, introduced new digital offerings, and launched few CSR initiatives all aimed to honour the bank’s rich legacy, enhance customer experience, and contribute to environmental sustainability and community empowerment.

The celebration, held at PNB’s Corporate Office in New Delhi, was graced by esteemed dignitaries including Chief Guest DFS Secretary Dr. Vivek Joshi, DFS Joint Secretary

Sameer Shukla, DFS Joint Secretary Pankaj Sharma, PNB Board of Directors, PNB NonExecutive Chairman KG Ananthakrishnan, PNB MD & CEO Atul Kumar Goel, PNB Executive Directors - Kalyan Kumar, Binod Kumar, M Paramasivam and Bibhu Prasad Mahapatra, PNB CVO Raghvendra Kumar, and PNB staff members.

Chief Guest DFS Secretary Dr. Vivek Joshi expressed his confidence in PNB’s ability to excel and lead the banking sector towards greater heights of success and excellence. He further encouraged the audience to focus on financial inclusion, opt for proactive measures for mitigating risks, cybersecurity, preventive vigilance, green finance and climate finance. He also urged the audience to prioritise self-health. By addressing these multifaceted aspects of banking, he emphasised the holistic approach needed to drive sustainable growth and resilience in the financial sector.

Reflecting on the bank’s momentous milestone, PNB Non-Executive Chairman KG Ananthakrishnan highlighted the bank’s evolution from its humble beginnings as the first Swadeshi Bank to its current status as a leading public sector bank. “Our story is one of business sustainability, financial prudence, corporate governance, resilience, innovation, commitment to empower the community and fostering India’s socio-economic growth. Despite facing several obstacles along the way, PNB has never wavered in preserving its fundamental principles of innovation, integrity, and customer-centricity. As we reflect on the rich tapestry of our bank’s history, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our shareholders for their continuous support, to our customers for their trust and loyalty, and to our employees for their dedication and hard work.”

Introducing the new initiatives, PNB MD & CEO Atul Kumar Goel said: “As part of our 130th Foundation Day celebration, we are delighted to introduce transformative initiatives that will further solidify PNB’s leadership in the banking sector. The digital offerings, the history book, and the CSR initiatives epitomises our commitment to leveraging technology for customer convenience, preserving our heritage, and fostering sustainable development. At PNB, our legacy is not just about milestones; it’s about the lives we touch, the communities we empower, and the trust we uphold.”

The centrepiece of PNB’s 130th anniversary celebration was the beautifully chronicled History Book titled “Anarkali Bazaar, Lahore to Dwarka, Delhi - A 130 Years Saga of Excellence” which offers a captivating narrative of the bank’s evolution from 1894 to the present.