Punjab National Bank (PNB) has inaugurated its first dedicated startup-centric branch in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in efforts to empower India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Located at Bhikaji Cama Place, the branch aligns with the Government’s Startup India initiative and offers tailored, end-to-end banking services designed specifically for startups and innovators.

As part of the launch, PNB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI). Under this agreement, STPI will provide curated lists of incubated and graduated startups to PNB, helping the bank directly engage with promising ventures and offer customized financial solutions suited to their growth journey.

At the inauguration, PNB’s MD & CEO Ashok Chandra highlighted that the new branch will act as a one-stop solution for entrepreneurs, offering access to credit, advisory support, and financial literacy services. He emphasized the bank’s commitment to supporting startups as they scale, noting that traditional banking models must evolve to cater to the unique needs of young businesses. Arvind Kumar, Director General of STPI, echoed this view, stressing the importance of integrating banking with ecosystem enablers to bridge financing gaps for startups.

PNB also announced that this initiative is the first step in a broader strategy to replicate such specialized branches in other startup hubs across India. The vision is to build a nationwide network of dedicated branches that will strengthen financial access, build trust, and foster innovation in the country’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem.

This move by PNB reflects a shift in India’s public banking sector, where legacy institutions are now stepping up to play a more active role in enabling entrepreneurship and driving the innovation economy.