SBI Banking Quiz: How Well Do You Know SBI?

The State Bank of India traces its roots to the Bank of Calcutta, founded in 1806, which later became the Bank of Bengal. After mergers with the Bank of Bombay and Bank of Madras, the Imperial Bank of India was formed in 1921, functioning as a quasi-central bank before being nationalised under a specific parliamentary act.

A predecessor institution operated during British colonial rule, managing government accounts and functioning as a quasi-central bank. It issued currency, financed trade and agriculture, and had branches across major cities. This institution was nationalised through a parliamentary act, giving rise to India's largest public sector bank.

When India's largest public sector bank was established through an act of Parliament, it required a leader to guide early operations. The first chairperson shaped the bank's administrative structure, expanded its branch network, and aligned functions with the government's economic priorities for newly independent India.

SBI has subsidiaries offering specialised services beyond traditional banking. One arm focuses on capital markets, including underwriting, mergers and acquisitions advisory, debt syndication, and project finance. It caters to corporate clients, government bodies, and institutional investors across various sectors of the Indian economy.

SBI introduced a unified digital platform bringing banking and lifestyle services under one roof. This mobile application lets users open accounts, apply for loans, shop online, book travel, and access insurance. It was built for a digitally connected generation seeking convenience without visiting a physical bank branch.