The Finance Ministry is scheduled to host a two-day PSB Confluence next week, bringing together senior executives of public sector banks (PSBs) and public financial institutions (PFIs) to discuss measures aimed at improving banking outcomes for people. 
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary are expected to attend the conclave, which will be held on August 17-18. 
According to the Finance Ministry, the conclave will allow participating institutions to share successful practices, identify initiatives that can be scaled across the banking system and develop actionable, time-bound strategies. The focus will be on translating discussions into measures that can deliver measurable outcomes rather than limiting the exercise to policy deliberations. 
The discussions will be organised around seven key themes — deposit mobilisation, banking for youth, supporting the investment cycle, supporting global capability centres (GCCs), agriculture and horticulture value-chain infrastructure, re-imagining the credit card business and priority sector lending. 
Each thematic track will be coordinated by a designated group of institutions. The groups will examine practices that have worked within individual institutions and assess how such initiatives can be adopted more widely across the banking ecosystem. 
Under the deposit mobilisation track, discussions will focus on strengthening the resource base of banks so that more affordable credit can be made available. This is also relevant as banks seek to improve their deposit base and maintain adequate resources to support lending. 
The track on supporting the investment cycle will look at how banks and financial institutions can facilitate the timely execution of infrastructure projects. The discussions are expected to consider the role of financial institutions in ensuring that funding requirements are addressed without creating delays in project implementation. 
Another focus area will be the development of ecosystems around global capability centres. The discussions will examine how banks and financial institutions can support the growing GCC segment and the wider infrastructure and financial requirements associated with these centres. 
Agriculture and horticulture will also receive attention, particularly the gaps in post-harvest infrastructure and market linkages. The discussions will focus on strengthening rural value chains, improving infrastructure after production and helping farmers and businesses connect more effectively with markets. 
Banking products for young customers will form another part of the deliberations. The participants are expected to examine ways to develop products and services suited to the needs of the youth and expand their access to formal banking services. 
The conclave will also look at re-imagining the credit card business and strengthening priority sector lending. Priority sector lending is intended to ensure formal credit reaches underserved sections and important areas such as agriculture and smaller businesses. 
The Finance Ministry said the seven themes have been selected for their potential to convert institutional and policy interventions into measurable, people-centric outcomes. 
Around 125 participants are expected to attend the conclave. The participants will include chairmen, managing directors and executive directors of public sector banks and senior representatives of public financial institutions such as NABARD, EXIM Bank, SIDBI, National Housing Bank (NHB), India Infrastructure Finance Company (IIFCL), IFCI and NaBFID. 
Senior officials from the Indian Banks' Association and the Department of Financial Services will also participate in the discussions. 
The planned conclave comes against the backdrop of the government's continuing efforts to improve the functioning and reach of public sector banking. Previous banking reform exercises, including the Gyan Sangam and subsequent EASE initiatives, have focused on areas such as customer service, financial inclusion, technology adoption, credit growth, governance and strengthening the overall performance of PSBs. 
Source PTI