While the media is abuzz with housewives and homemakers secret savings to be deposited into banks after demonetization began in the nation, a number of banks in Capital City denied that there is significant ample increase in opening bank accounts of women especially homemakers in the past 6-7 days.
As the gender gap in bank accounts ownership is always attributed to cultural factors, hence it was expected that women will come forward and open their bank accounts after this major decision.
But the banking professionals on contradictory claimed that the result is just the opposite. Bankers expected more women to participate in the banking system especially after PM Modi decision as services have become more readily available now and several efforts have been made to draw the attention of women into this financial system even earlier as well.
“There were several rumours about women, homemakers opening bank accounts for depositing their money which they have been saving for long to meet emergencies. But no such increase in bank accounts opening by women have been witnessed from November 8 on a wider perspective in our bank by far,” said, Allahabad Bank DGM, SK Singh.
Similarly, banking services dedicated completely to aid women and providing assistance to small women entrepreneur, Bhartiya Mahila Bank (BMB) witnessed the similar situation at its all the six branches operating in the State. No movement in women applying for opening new accounts can be identified at BMB as well after demonetization.
“The work here is going on with a normal pace. The housewives opening accounts after demonetization is not on rise as such or in the way it has been reported at times. So far, we have 6700 bank account holders and after the ban of currencies, we have not witnessed any specific case like this,” added Senior Manager, BMB, Meena Mittal.
Housewives on other hand also added that they are not opting to open new bank accounts in this hassle period. “I have given all my saving to my elder son. After a month I will open my own personnel account either at a nationalized bank or at any private bank but at present my savings will be with my son only,” added, 53 years old, Maya Sharma.