Indian Bank Staff Faces Heat Over App Directive: Digital Push or Privacy Breach?
An internal communication circulated via WhatsApp by Indian Bank management has instructed Relationship Managers to perform operational tasks using a mobile business application installed on their personal devices. The directive has sparked attention after screenshots of the message surfaced online.
Author: Kalyani Mali
Published: April 30, 2025
An instruction issued to Relationship Managers to use the bank’s business mobilisation app on their personal phones has led to discussions about operational boundaries, privacy, and the increasing role of digital tools in day-to-day banking. The directive includes deadlines, a compliance warning, and outlines reasons for previous lapses in usage. A report by Kanal highlighted similar developments, pointing to internal resistance around the app’s rollout and usage. Read the article to know more: PNB AAGMAN App Faces Heat: Digital Upgrade or Staff Surveillance?
Bank Asks RMs to Use App on Personal Devices
The WhatsApp message instructs Regional Acquisition Centre (RAC) Heads to ensure each Relationship Manager (RM) under their purview completes at least one Term Deposit (TD) creation in the mobile app, reportedly for testing purposes. The message mentions that several RACs had shown zero TD entries and calls for immediate compliance, listing several technical issues causing delays.
Image: WhatsApp message instructs RMs to create Term Deposits via the bank’s business app.
Courtesy: WeBankers
Technical Challenges and Compliance Pressure
The message cites several operational issues behind the delay in app usage, including screen size problems, expired user IDs, wrong data entries, and wrongly mapped customers. Despite these technical and logistical challenges,the management calls for immediate resolution and notes that further non-compliance will be viewed seriously by Top Management.
Image: Follow-up WhatsApp message listing technical issues and urging immediate compliance.
Courtesy: WeBankers
Directive Specifies Strict Compliance and Daily Usage
The message reiterates that every RM (excluding iPhone users) must create one TD by 12 Noon the following day. It also mandates daily TD creations and updates for Leads and Meetings going forward.
The communication concludes with a warning that “any further non-compliance will be viewed seriously by the Top Management.”
Image: Screenshot highlighting daily TD targets and compliance warning.
Courtesy: WeBankers
Concerns Over Staff Pressure and App Usage
A representative of “WeBankers” said, most bank managements are placing enormous pressure on branch officials and staff to achieve business targets “by hook or crook.” He stated that employees are being compelled to install the bank’s business app and a GPS-based biometric attendance app that tracks their location around the clock.
He further alleged that “such practices are fostering a toxic work environment, where staff are forced into unethical actions under pressure from higher-ups. In the event of audits or vigilance scrutiny, these same officials risk being made scapegoats for any irregularities found.”
As banks continue to adopt digital tools to improve efficiency, it's important to consider their impact on employee privacy and work culture. A balanced approach that respects both institutional goals and staff well-being can help foster a healthier work environment.
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