State Bank of India officials assured industry representatives at a trade meet held last week in Surat, that they would shortly make the facility to offer Gold Loan services to the trade available through its Gujarat branches. The meeting between the jewellers from Rajkot and Surat and bank officials was organised by GJEPC, Surat.

Currently, SBI does not offer services such as Metal Gold loans and loans for wholesale business in the yellow metal through its branches in Gujarat.

Shri Srikant Hota, DGM, Precious Metals Department, Mumbai; Shri Ashok Kumar Mahakul, DGM (B&O), Surat; Shri JItesh B Bhatt, AGM, Surat Main Branch; Shri Mahesh Mishra, AGM, Precious Metal Department, Mumbai were among the SBI officials present at the meeting. They discussed the matter with those present, offered guidance on the procedures involved and said that the issuing of loans could commence by August.

The meeting was attended by jewellers from Surat and Rajkot.