In a country as diverse as India, real progress lies in ensuring that financial services are accessible across every corner — from thriving towns to the most remote communities. Launched in October 2025 at the Global Fintech Fest, India’s first Digital Banking Point is an all-in-one solution that brings the full spectrum of branch banking services into a compact, modular, and future-ready format – enabling banks to extend their footprint in an efficient manner.

In a country with 2,07,377 ATMs ^[1]  and 56+ crore PMJDY accounts (Aug’25) ^[2] the Digital Banking Point is not just another banking touchpoint, but is an omnichannel solution that aims to be smarter, more inclusive, and tech-driven. Below, we break down why this solution is needed, what it offers, and how it helps expand banking access.

The Next Evolution in Branch Banking 

Setting up and running a conventional bank branch is comparatively expensive and often slow paced. Real estate, IT infrastructure, vaults, surveillance, and staff salaries can be a hefty amount. A full-size branch can cost anywhere between 60 to 80 lacs depending on the branch size. On top of that are recurring costs: security guards, power, and other overheads. In contrast, digital services cost a fraction per transaction.  

People also spend a lot of time for basic services. Traveling to a branch, standing in queues, and filling out forms can take hours. For many in rural and semi-urban India, this inconvenience means unreliable banking. 

The Digital Banking Point addresses these issues by bringing the branch to the customer at lesser cost. Its 24×7 self/assisted format that offers instant service.

Digital Banking Point: Convenient & Cost Efficient

Speed and Accessibility: Traditional account opening and loan applications takes longer time. The Digital Banking Point uses Ai and OCR for scanning the documents quicker and instantly to make onboarding instantaneous. No more multiple visits. Customers in villages or colonies can open an account, get a debit card, or deposit cheques with a few taps. This convenience is crucial: even as digital adoption grows, the rural mindset often still favors an in-person process^[3]. The Digital Banking Point bridges that gap, offering a user interface anyone can use (with or without assistance), in multiple languages.

In short, by cutting down the infrastructure, people and other costs of a branch – plus reducing time costs for customers – the Digital Banking Point enhances efficiency in banking.  

Services on Demand: The Digital Banking Point Features

The Digital Banking Point delivers a full suite of banking services in one machine. Some of the key capabilities include:

• Instant Account Opening: Walk in 24×7 and create a new savings account on the spot. The Digital Banking Point reads your Aadhaar/PAN, sends an OTP to your mobile, and even does KYC face-authentication to verify identity. This cuts account opening time from days to minutes
• Debit Card Issuance: Get a personalized debit card instantly printed with your name. No waiting weeks for the mail – the card comes right out of the machine after your account is opened.
• Fixed/Recurring Deposits: Book FDs or recurring deposits (RD) via the Digital Banking Point. Log in with your mobile OTP or fingerprint (for enabled customers) and start saving. The machine handles the deposit transactions immediately, creating your FD/RD.
• Instant Loan Disbursal: For pre-approved customers, loans can be dispensed through a connected, Android-based Cash Recycling Machine, offering a seamless, secure, and efficient experience. Want that personal or consumer loan early? Collect it as cash immediately, without a separate branch visit.
• Account Statement (Mini or Full): Print or send your account statement of the last 1, 3, or 6 months. Choose digital delivery (WhatsApp/email) or get a printed copy instantly for your records.
• Cheque Deposit: Deposit cheques into your account via the built-in cheque deposit functionality. Advanced OCR (Optical Character Recognition) reads the cheque, and you can print a deposit receipt or get an instant SMS/WhatsApp notification once cleared.
• Passbook Printing: Forgot to update your passbook? The machine includes a passbook printer, so you can print and update your passbook anytime.
• Omni-channel Integration: All these services connect directly to the Bank’s core systems via secure APIs. Behind the scenes, a unified digital android platform ties together ATMs, cards, biometrics and services in one ecosystem. This means seamless banking for customers.
• Advanced Tech & Security: The digital banking point connects to middleware for device monitoring and provides a user interface that supports advanced analytics. All communications with the middleware are encrypted according to the latest standards, ensuring regulatory compliance and enhanced security. Biometric readers, cameras, and sensors enable secure and frictionless transactions. The user interface is intuitive, and future upgrades can be easily implemented to meet evolving requirements.

All of these services run in both self-service and assisted modes. A bank-appointed assistant can guide first-time users or offer additional services (like insurance or investment products) in the banking lobby. But everything is designed to be user-friendly for even a first-time customer: big icons, clear instructions, and on-screen help. In effect, the Digital Banking Point reimagines branch banking in a 21st-century format. 

Safer, Smarter, Scalable: Tech-Driven Advantages

Compact & Easily Deployable: Unlike a bulky branch, the Digital Banking Point is “compact and modular”. It occupies minimal space and can be installed almost anywhere: city centres, corporate parks, malls, village hubs, hospitals or college campuses. Banks no longer need large branch footprints to serve people – the Digital Banking Point does the job for a fraction of the cost.

Lower Costs, Higher ROI: By digitizing services, each transaction becomes far cheaper. The Digital Banking Point bundles many functions, so banks amortize one machine over multiple services. This drives down per-transaction cost significantly boosting ROI. In effect, every rupee invested in the Digital Banking Point yields more revenue and drives inclusion compared to a traditional branch.

Inclusive by Design: The Digital Banking Point caters to everyone, from regular banking customers to the underbanked. This inclusive approach is key: for many villagers and first-time customers, having a physical banking touchpoint (even a machine) builds trust. Yet at the same time it educates them in digital usage.

Data & Personalization: Because the machine is connected, banks gather rich data on local needs (peak usage times, popular services, etc.). They can use such analytics to tailor products or improve placement. In other words, it’s a smart branch powered by tech, designed for scale and security.

Banking for All: Inclusion and Impact

India’s financial inclusion story has come a long way (89% of adults now have an account^[4], and RBI’s Financial Inclusion Index rose to 67 in 2025^[4]), but gaps remain. Yet many accounts sit dormant or under-used because people lack easy access to banking or are financially illiterate. The Digital Banking Point can directly tackle these gaps. By placing these machines in rural or semi-urban areas, it brings the convenience of urban banking to the hinterlands.

According to RBI data, about 66.7% of Jan Dhan accounts are in rural/semi-urban India^[2], showing strong uptake. Average Deposit is around ₹4,768 per account^[2], indicating untapped saving capacity. Surveys find that 96% of rural respondents want to save and invest more^[3], and 55% seek financial literacy. With the Digital Banking Point, banks can immediately capitalize on this. 

Moreover, the Digital Banking Point earns trust by offering familiar banking services (e.g., passbook printing, cheque deposits) while gradually nudging users to digital methods (e.g., WhatsApp statements, mobile OTP). This dual approach respects the 86% of semi-urban/rural users who still lean on branches^[3], yet provides a digital bridge. Over time, better financial literacy and the Digital Banking Point’s intuitive UI will increase digital adoption. In summary, the Digital Banking Point is a potent tool for bridging India’s financial gap, making banking inclusive and future-ready.

By leveraging Hitachi Payment Services’ proven expertise in banking technology, services and digital innovation, banks can customise and deploy Digital Banking Points as per their business needs while helping to bridge the financial divide and ushering India into the future of banking.

References:

1. https://rbi.org.in/scripts/ATMView.aspx
2. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2161401
3. https://www.ey.com/en_in/newsroom/2024/12/upi-most-preferred-payment-mode-for-38-percent-indians-in-rural-and-semi-urban-areas-96-percent-demonstrate-strong-inclination-to-save-and-invest-ey-and-cii-report
4. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=154980&ModuleId=3