Live Blog: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to launch EASE 4.0

Request to banks
Banks have been requested to interact with export promotion agencies, chambers of commerce, and industry to understand and address the requirement of exporters in a timely manner: Sitharaman
PSBs fundraising
PSBs are now raising their own resources after gaining investor confidence. Over Rs. 12,000 crore of fundraising is in the process: DFS Secretary.
Inflation
We have cut duties on edible oils and pulses to increase supply. Our estimation is that inflation will be in the 4-6% band: Revenue Secretary.
State-run insurance companies
Employees of state-run insurance companies need not fear; government understands their concerns: Sitharaman
Fintech sector
From inputs given by officers from Tax administration, it emerged that Banks need to understand the special requirements of Sunrise sector. e.g. Fintech, one such sector can provide technological help to banks as well as can benefit from help from the banking sector: Nirmala Sitharaman
Details of EASE 4.0
Finance Secretary Debashish Panda talked about the details and benefits of EASE 4.0.
Interaction with Federation of Indian Exporters Organization
Banks have been directed to interact regularly with the Federation of Indian Exporters Organization. This way, the exporters won't have to shuttle between various bankers, said Finance Minister.
Fintech requires assistance: Sitharaman
Fintech as a sector requires a lot of assistance, from the banks: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman addresses press conference
Press Conference by FM @nsitharaman will begin shortly.
— PIB in Maharashtra 🇮🇳 (@PIBMumbai) August 25, 2021
Stay tuned for further updates
Watch live on 📽️ https://t.co/lTkWSZclKW@DrBhagwatKarad pic.twitter.com/AanMgw500l
Here are the winners
Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, and State Bank of India win for clean and smart banking.
EASE 3.0 awards being given out
FM @nsitharaman is unveiling the Enhanced Access and Service Excellence (EASE) 3.0 Report and giving EASE 3.0 Awards to best performing PSBs in Mumbai
— PIB in Maharashtra 🇮🇳 (@PIBMumbai) August 25, 2021
FM is also launching EASE 4.0 today
EASE is a common reform agenda for PSBs aimed at institutionalizing clean & smart banking pic.twitter.com/K0xGSMY4Dg
PSB Manthan
EASE 4.0 is part of the reforms agenda devised on the recommendations made at the PSB Manthan in November 2017. Senior management of PSBs and representatives from the government were involved in it.
EASE 3.0
EASE 3.0 was launched in February 2020 and sought to enhance ease of banking in all customer experiences, using technology, alternate data, and analytics.
EASE focuses on six themes
EASE focuses on six themes of customer responsiveness, responsible banking, credit off take, PSBs as Udyami Mitra, deepening financial inclusion and digitalization, and developing personnel for brand PSB.
EASE 1.0
The first edition of EASE 1.0 was launched in January 2018.
What is EASE?
EASE is a common reform agenda for Public Sector Banks. Its purpose is to institutionalize clean and smart banking.
EASE 4.0 launch today
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will launch EASE 4.0 today. She will also undertake an annual performance review of public sector banks.