IPPB (India Post Payments Bank) what is it? Do you know all about India post payment bank? India post payment bank is a public sector 100 percent government-owned bank. It operates with the post office department under the Ministry of communication. The bank aims to use all 155,015 Indian post offices as a contact point and three (3) lakh postman and Grameen Dak Sewaks to facilitate banking services house to house in India.

India post payments bank’s first phase inaugurated on September 01 2018 with 650 branches and 3,250 post offices as contact points. More than ten thousand postmen were tied to the first phase. As of February 27, 2020, the Bank acquired approximately 2 crore customers throughout India.

India post payment bank would be like any other bank, but the bank would operate on a small scale without credit risk and inability to lend in advance or issue credit cards.

History of IPPB

On 19 August 2015, India Post received permission/license from the Central Bank of India to operate a payment bank. On 17 August 2016, it was registered as a public limited Govt. company to establish a payment bank.

The IPPB pilot project was inaugurated on 30 January 2017 in Ranch and Raipur. The first phase of the national inauguration took place on 01 September 2018. The Union Cabinet in August 2018, approved a cost of 1435 crore for the establishment of the IPPB bank.

What is a payment bank?

Payment banks are the banks that offer the most common banking activities like money transfer services, withdrawals/deposits, online banking, transfers from third parties, and mobile payments/purchases/transfers.

However, as compared to normal banks these banks operate on a small scale and do not take credit risk. Their reason for existence is an economic inclusion; to reach the unbanked population of the nation which is according to the Assocham-EY report, more than 19 percent of our population.

Also Read: Post Office Savings Scheme India

How payment banks are different from traditional banks?

The main difference between payment banks and traditional banks is that traditional banks can only receive deposits and remittances. Payment banks alone cannot offer financial products, such as credit cards.

They must work with other financial service providers to offer their customers third party products such as loans and insurance. For example, India Post Payments Bank has partnered with financial service providers such as Punjab National Bank and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance for this purpose.

Payment banks can only accept deposits up to Rs 1 lakh per customer in a savings/ current account. Opening an account in a traditional bank takes time as it needs a lot of documentation and verification. But payments bank which relies mainly on mobile technology can simplify the account opening process fast and paperless.

Things to know about India post payment bank

• The Indian Post Payments Bank has been established under the control of the post department and is wholly owned by the Government of India.
• Started Working on 30 January 2017 with the opening of two pilot branches, one branch in Ranchi and the other branch in Raipur.
• 4 percent interest on savings accounts is offered by the Indian post payment bank.
• The payment bank can accept deposits from individuals and small companies up to 1 lakh per account but is not authorized to borrow anyone.
• India Post Payments Bank, along with other financial services providers, offers third-party products. For example, in the case of loans, India Post Payments Bank acts as a PNB (Punjab National Bank) agent.
• A range of products like current and savings accounts, direct benefit transfers, money transfers, utility and bill payments, and corporate and merchant payments are offered by the Indian Post Payment Bank.
• With the India Post Payments Bank technology platform, these products and services are offered through several channels (counter services, mobile banking application, micro-ATM, IVR, and SMS).
• IPPB (Indian Postal Payment Bank) has been authorized to link approximately 17 million PSB (Postal Savings Bank) accounts to its accounts.
• Post Payment Bank of India is “designed to be accessible, affordable, and reliable for ordinary people,” the government said in a statement. It uses a large network of postal networks that covers all corners of the country with more than 300,000 postmen and Grameen dak sewaks
• Earlier the government approved an 80 percent increase in the spending of the Indian Post Payment Bank to 1,435 crores. With this increase, the cost of the IPPB project will increase to 1,435 crores from 800 crores – which will provide strength to compete in the market with existing operators such as Airtel Payment Bank and Paytm Payment Bank.

What are the documents required to open an account in IPPB?

For the opening of savings account in Post office Payment Bank you should have a PAN card, Aadhaar number, and mobile phone number. If you do not have a PAN card then you will need to submit Form 60.

Why IPPB is important?

Moving ruler residents of India to formal banking has so far been a major challenge. As per the World Bank’s FINDEX 2017 report, the main reasons for unbanked not having a bank account and not to transact through banks were:

• To start banking they do not have sufficient money.
• Distance from banking facilities and cost is a hindrance.
• These unbanked do not have an account because their family members already have an account?
• Mistrust in the financial system and the lack of documents.

It is clear that the Indian Post Payment Bank will be able to overcome at least two of these obstacles. It is easier for people living in remote areas to do banking through a post office or the nearest post office.

The current perception of the post office can help them overcome the hesitation of visiting bank branches and dealing with bank employees.

If rural savings begin to shift to the banking system, it will accelerate the transition from physical assets such as real estate and gold to financial assets. Another positive would be to free farmers and other villagers of rural India from the clutches of moneylenders.

Also, India Post, which has so far suffered losses due to high operating costs and declining revenues, will have new life opportunities. India Post-owned properties can be used for more sustainable income streams.

Conclusion

The Indian Post Office recently launched a payment bank to take banking to the doorstep of rural residents. People should know all about India Post Payment Bank. According to the central government, it is entering a new era in the banking system and has affected areas where traditional banks unwilling and hesitant to go.

The services provided by Indian Post Payment Bank are cheap but not free. For example, the NEFT charges are Rs 25; RTG and IMPS charges are up to Rs 50.