Founded in 1955, the State Bank of India (SBI) is a historic institution in the Indian banking industry. Being the biggest and one of the oldest banks in the nation, SBI has been essential to India’s economic progress. It provides a wide range of financial services to meet the various demands of the people living there. After gaining independence, the Indian government realized that in order to support the country’s economic development, it was necessary to have a state-run financial institution.
As a result, in 1955, the Imperial Bank of India underwent nationalization and changed its name to the State Bank of India. Presently, SBI’s vast network consists of hundreds of branches and ATMs located all throughout India, including in isolated rural locations. Furthermore, SBI is a major participant in the global banking scene due to its extensive overseas footprint, which includes over 190 locations across 36 countries. From personal banking to treasury management, SBI provides a broad range of financial services and products.
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However, the State Bank of India (SBI) is frequently mockingly depicted as being lazy in contemporary meme culture. Memes usually draw attention to the lengthy lines and wait periods at branches, emphasizing how frustrated customers get when they feel like they are waiting for assistance for forever.
In a similar vein, a post on X that had pictures of an empty SBI branch during lunchtime went viral on social media. Pictures, within no time, went viral and became a headache for SBI, so much so that SBI had to reply to the post and ask a man to remove it.
Photos of an empty SBI branch went viral on X
On May 30, a customer uploaded a picture on X of the SBI branch that showed every employee having their lunch break. He claimed that SBI’s “services can’t change the world, but the world can.”
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On X, he wrote,
“It was 3 PM, and the whole staff was on lunch. Irony, on one side #SBI says we don’t have any lunch break and the whole staff was on lunch collectively. Dear @TheOfficialSBI, even the world can get changed completely but your services can’t.”
SBI asked the man to remove the viral SBI branch photo
After that, the SBI instructed the social media user to remove the tweet and apologized for any trouble caused by using its official X account. In their reply, SBI wrote,
“We regret the inconvenience caused to you. However, please note that photography/ videography inside branch premises is prohibited due to security reasons. You may be held accountable if these are misused. Therefore, we recommend you to remove these from the social media sites.”
We regret the inconvenience caused to you. However, please note that photography/ videography inside branch premises is prohibited due to security reasons. You may be held accountable if these are misused. Therefore, we recommend you to remove these from the social media sites
— State Bank of India (@TheOfficialSBI) May 30, 2024
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Replying to this, the man said,
“You have concern over photos, But no concern over the issue faced. Have some shame.”
You have concern over photos,
But no concern over the issue faced.Have some shame.
— CA Lalit Solanki (@lalitmali03) May 30, 2024
Later on, SBI also clarified about lunchtimes in their branches in a series of tweets.
during the working hours. However, if you are facing any problem in this regard from any of our branches, please register a complaint in this regard at this link https://t.co/YdGUw4ByCT select Raise Complaint – Others >> Personal Segment/Individual Customer // General
— State Bank of India (@TheOfficialSBI) May 31, 2024
Banking>>Branch Related>>No Response to Queries and mention brief details of the issue in the last column. Upon successful registration of the complaint, you will receive a complaint no. on your registered mobile no./e-mail ID. Our concerned team will look into it.
— State Bank of India (@TheOfficialSBI) May 31, 2024
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How people reacted to an empty SBI branch?
Following this, his post went viral and has garnered thousands of views and reactions. While some people took the man’s stand, others sympathized with SBI staff.
Have a look at some reactions:
Bro bank aayaa…. bhai tum lunch bhi mat karo.. lunch important nahi hai, bro ki passbook update karna important hai.
— Tech Bharat (Nitin Agarwal) (@techbharatco) May 31, 2024
They having lunch at 3 PM (already late) & u have problem
Khud to timely lunch kha ke branch gaye hoge & u have issues with the employees
Have reasonable expectations.. employees hai..tere naukar nahi hai ke saab a gaye to apna khana chhodkar pehle saab ki seva karo
— PM (@BhrataShreee) May 31, 2024
Thala is now their brand ambassador.
So they will come late only!
They will work very efficiently near the closing time. 😁😄— Dr. Devashish Palkar (@psychidiaries) May 31, 2024
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That you were able to enter the bank means they had not put down the shutter . Probably this branch has a problem I have an account with SBI in Chakala and they do take staggered lunch breaks . On the other hand my mom has account with @canarabank and @NkgsbBank and both these…
— Punita Toraskar ( Modi Ka Parivaar) (@impuni) May 31, 2024
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