PNB Celebrates 131st Foundation Day with Launch of 34 New Initiatives

Punjab National Bank (PNB) marked its 131st foundation day by launching 34 innovative products and services designed to boost financial inclusion, digital banking, and customer satisfaction. The bank’s celebration was graced by Financial Services Secretary M. Nagaraju, who commended PNB’s forward-looking vision. New deposit schemes tailored to diverse segments of the population, enhanced digital tools, and cybersecurity initiatives were central highlights. The event reaffirmed PNB’s historical roots and its evolving role in India’s banking landscape.

Key Highlights

Foundation Day Launch

• Event Date: April 12, 2025
• Occasion: 131st Foundation Day of Punjab National Bank (PNB)
• Founded: April 12, 1895, Lahore (now in Pakistan), as part of the Swadeshi Movement
• First Account Holder: Lala Lajpat Rai, housed opposite Arya Samaj Mandir in Anarkali, Lahore
• First Dividend: 4% declared within seven months of operations

Launch of 34 New Products and Services

• Total New Launches: 34

12 Deposit Schemes for,

• Salaried individuals
• Women
• Defence personnel
• Farmers
• NRIs
• Senior citizens
• Pensioners
• Students and youth

10 Digital Transformation Products, including,

• QR code-based customer feedback system
• AI-powered live chat assistant “Pihu”
• Internal banking system upgrades to improve service delivery

Cybersecurity Awareness Initiatives

Cyber Run – Half Marathon

• Theme: “Cyber Run – Empowering a Secure Digital India”
• Objective: Promote awareness of safe digital banking and protection from cyber fraud
• Participants: Citizens, employees, and stakeholders
• Outcome: Reinforced PNB’s commitment to secure digital banking channels

PNB MD & CEO Ashok Chandra

Highlighted the bank’s support for,

• The underprivileged
• Youth education
• Entrepreneurial growth
• Farmer income enhancement
• Stressed continuous improvements in grievance redressal and customer feedback systems

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	PNB Celebrates 131st Foundation Day with Launch of 34 New Initiatives
Occasion	131st Foundation Day
Products Launched	34 total (12 deposit schemes, 10 digital tools, others)
Key Beneficiaries	Women, salaried, NRIs, farmers, students, pensioners, defence, youth
Digital Additions	QR feedback, AI assistant “Pihu”, internal upgrades
Cyber Initiative	“Cyber Run” Half Marathon for safe digital banking
Historical Fact	Founded in 1895, Lahore; first account by Lala Lajpat Rai
First Dividend	4% declared in the first 7 months