Kolkata, India - In a move towards further centralization, the State Bank of India (SBI) is planning to shift its global back office operations from Kolkata to Mumbai, India's financial capital. This decision comes after a previous attempt in March 2007 to relocate these departments faced resistance from SBI staff in Kolkata.

The exact timeline for the shift is yet to be announced by SBI officials. However, the bank is aiming to streamline its foreign exchange operations by consolidating them in Mumbai. This move is expected to bring about greater efficiency and improve overall management.

This is not the first time SBI has chosen to centralize its forex activities in Mumbai. In 2005, the bank's forex dealing operations were shifted from Kolkata to Mumbai in a phased manner. The decision back then was also met with opposition from Kolkata-based staff.

While the official reasons behind the move are yet to be elaborated on by SBI, some experts believe it could be due to factors like:

Talent Pool: Mumbai boasts a larger talent pool with experience in the financial sector, which could be beneficial for SBI's global operations.
Infrastructure: Mumbai's established infrastructure as a financial hub might offer better connectivity and resources for the bank's international activities.
Operational Efficiency: Consolidating operations in one location could lead to smoother workflows and improved communication within the department.
The impact of this decision on SBI employees in Kolkata remains to be seen. The All India SBI Staff Association has previously voiced their concerns about the bank's shift away from Kolkata. It's unclear if there will be any resistance to this latest move.

SBI's decision to centralize its global back office functions in Mumbai highlights the ongoing trend of consolidation within the Indian banking sector. The coming months will reveal how this shift will impact SBI's operations and its employees in both cities.

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