Bank of Baroda opens Raipur zonal office to boost reach in Chhattisgarh

Mumbai: Bank of Baroda has opened a new zonal office in Raipur to deepen its presence in Chhattisgarh and improve administrative efficiency across the region. The move is part of the bank’s broader strategy to expand physical infrastructure while continuing its digital push.The office was inaugurated virtually on July 14 by M Nagaraju, secretary in the Department of Financial Services, along with other officials from the Govt and the bank. Nagaraju said the bank should use the new facility to support farmers, entrepreneurs, women, and self-help groups through improved credit access. He added that Chhattisgarh’s mineral resources and agricultural base make it a high-potential region for banking outreach.Bank of Baroda’s managing director and CEO Debadatta Chand said the Raipur office would allow for faster execution and more localised services. “Chhattisgarh is one of the most productive and vibrant states in India,” he said. “Our emphasis on decentralisation, rapid execution, and inclusive growth underpins the decision to open a new zonal office in Raipur.”The Raipur zone will cover 212 branches and four regional offices, with around 66% of the network located in rural and semi-urban areas.

The bank is expected to use the zonal office to strengthen support for MSMEs and local industries and to drive retail, SME, and agriculture-linked lending.The new office will also help implement digital banking services, including the bob World app, and coordinate financial literacy programmes across the state. It will anchor outreach to women entrepreneurs and facilitate partnerships with NGOs and local bodies to deliver govt schemes.Bank of Baroda plans to open 200 branches across the country in FY26. The Raipur office is part of a national network of 25 zonal offices, each functioning as an administrative hub for regional operations and compliance. The bank posted a net profit of Rs 19,581 crore in FY25.Located at Byron Bazar, the new office is expected to improve grievance redressal, enhance customer service, and support risk management. The bank said it would continue to invest in local talent and expand financial services across emerging and industrialising districts in central India.