Banking services got a high-tech edge in Hazaribagh on Monday with the Bank of India (BOI) opening its first “e-gallery” in the state.

R. Koteeswaran, executive director of BOI, came from Mumbai to inaugurate the new facility at its Saketpuri branch. Three machines have been installed in a small room attached to the bank, which can be accessed by customers 24/7 for services like depositing/withdrawing cash and updating passbooks.

While one machine (an ATM) is for disbursing cash, another can be used to deposit money. The third is only for updating bank passbooks.

There are coin dispensing and cheque deposit machines too, but these are kept inside and can be used only during banking hours.

“The BOI always strives to offer the best facilities to its customers and this e-banking facility is a step towards that direction. It is not only convenient but also saves time. This is our first e-gallery in Jharkhand. The second one will start functioning in Jamshedpur from July 17. Hazaribagh will get another e-gallery at BOI’s Bazar branch soon,” Koteeswaran said after unveiling the special services at 10.30am.

This is the 31st e-gallery to be launched by BOI in India and by September, the country will have 200 such branches.

Speaking about his bank’s principles and objectives, the executive director stressed that the BOI regularly held meetings with customers to sort out various issues faced by them and make the entire banking process easier.

“At present, we have 4,646 branches across India, around 5,000 ATMs and 56 overseas branches. As far as our presence in Jharkhand is concerned, I will personally visit the several branches during my stay here and review the areas where improvement is required. The Hazaribagh zone alone has 84 branches and 78 ATMs at present,” Koteeswaran said.

The top official also ventured beyond banking services to offer a helping hand to Jharkhand. “If the government approaches us, we can definitely help them promote tourism in the state,” Koteeswaran promised.

Later in the day, Koteeswaran, accompanied by Jain Bhushan, general manager of BOI’s National Banking Group (Jharkhand-Chattigarh); Amit Roy, zonal manager; I.C. Mishra, deputy zonal manager; and J.N. Singh, additional general manager, visited a few branches in Hazaribagh town.