Revised Annex-3(E) for Annual Branch Expansion Plans
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/427 · issued 04 Mar 2013 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has revised the information format (Annex-3(E)) that banks must submit with their Annual Branch Expansion Plan (ABEP). The new format demands deeper details on financial inclusion, customer service, technology, and priority sector lending to ensure comprehensive performance assessment.
The rule, in the simplest words
Banks must use the new Annex‑3(E) format when sending their Annual Branch Expansion Plan (ABEP) to RBI.
The revised form asks for a 3‑year medium‑term branch expansion policy, showing how many new branches will open in each tier (Tier 1 to Tier 6) and the percentage increase from the current number.
Banks must estimate the level of business for the next 3 years – deposits, advances, and the expected number of customers.
Technology details are required: how many branches are fully computerised, have network connectivity, and use a Core Banking Solution (CBS).
Financial inclusion information must be supplied, such as minimum balance slabs, BC model functioning, multilingual website status, RUDSETI and SHG linkages, ICT tools (Micro ATMs, kiosks), and 3‑year statistics on basic savings accounts, credit cards, etc.
How it plays out — a real example
A branch expansion officer named Rohan in Jaipur is preparing the ABEP for his bank. He fills out the new Annex‑3(E) form, listing the planned 10 new branches in Tier 2 towns, the expected 15 % rise in deposits, and the 8 fully computerised branches he will open. He also notes that the bank’s BC model is running smoothly, the website is available in Hindi, and the last three years saw an average of 120 basic savings accounts per branch. Rohan sends the completed form to RBI, feeling confident that his bank’s inclusive and tech‑savvy strategy is clearly documented.
What changed
RBI replaced the earlier Annex-3(E) format with a revised version that banks must use when submitting their ABEP. The revision expands the scope of information required, including medium-term branch expansion policy, technology adoption, financial inclusion measures, customer service quality, and priority sector lending details.
What it means for you
Banks now need to provide more granular data on their branch expansion strategy, especially tier-wise plans and expected business growth over three years. The enhanced focus on financial inclusion metrics, BC model functioning, and customer complaint data signals RBI's intent to link branch authorisation more tightly with inclusive banking and service quality. Lenders must strengthen internal systems to capture and report these additional parameters accurately.
What you must do
Update your ABEP submission process to use the revised Annex-3(E) format immediately.
Prepare detailed medium-term (3-year) branch expansion plans with tier-wise breakups and percentage increases.
Compile comprehensive data on financial inclusion initiatives, including BC model details, multilingual website status, SHG linkages, and ICT-enabled tools.
Collate last three years' statistics on Basic Savings Bank Accounts, overdrafts, and smart cards per branch.
Review and document customer complaint trends, priority sector lending ratios, and operational risk measures for submission.
Who it affects
All Domestic Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs), Branch expansion planning teams, Financial inclusion and priority sector lending departments, Customer service and compliance teams
❓ Common questions
What is the key change in the revised Annex-3(E)?
The revised format requires banks to provide a medium-term (3-year) branch expansion policy with tier-wise details, expected business growth, technology implementation status, and more detailed financial inclusion metrics, including BC model functioning and multilingual website availability.
When should banks start using the new Annex-3(E)?
Banks must use the revised Annex-3(E) for all future Annual Branch Expansion Plan (ABEP) submissions from the date of this circular (March 4, 2013).
Does this circular affect branch authorisation decisions?
Yes, RBI explicitly states that branch authorisation will be based on a critical assessment of a bank's performance in financial inclusion, priority sector lending, and customer service, using the information provided in the revised Annex-3(E).
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/427
DBOD.No.BAPD.BC.82/22.01.001/2012-13
March 4, 2013
Phalguna 13 , 1934 (Saka)
All Domestic Scheduled Commercial Banks
(excluding RRBs)
Madam / Dear Sir,
Branch Authorisation Policy - Information to be submitted by banks along with Annual Branch Expansion Plan (ABEP)
Please refer to our circular DBOD. No. BL. BC. 24/22.01.001/2011-12 dated July 15, 2011 , wherein banks were advised, inter alia that branch authorisation would be based on critical assessment of bank’s performance in financial inclusion, priority sector lending and customer service, etc. For this purpose banks are required to furnish certain information to Reserve Bank along with ABEP as stipulated in Annex-3(E) to Master Circular DBOD.No. BL.BC. 26/22.01.001/2012-13 dated July 2, 2012 on Branch Authorisation.
2. On a review and to ensure comprehensive assessment of banks’ performance in the above parameters, it has been decided to effect certain modifications in the information called for in Annex 3(E). Banks are therefore, advised to furnish the information in the revised Annex-3(E) ( enclosed ) along with ABEP in future.
3. Please acknowledge receipt.
Yours faithfully
(Prakash Chandra Sahoo)
Chief General Manager
Encl.: As above
Annex-3(E)
Information to be submitted along with ABEP
Name of the bank:
1) Medium Term Policy for Branch Expansion Programme of the bank:
Bank may furnish details of the proposed Medium Term Policy for its branch expansion for branches in Tier 1 centres and in Tier 2 to Tier 6 centres for a period of 3 years.
Bank may also furnish Information on present number of branches and proposed percentage increase (Tier – wise).
2) Expected level of business in the next 3 years
Deposits
Advances
3) Expected customer base in the next 3 years
4) Technology implementation:
No. of branches fully computerised
No. of branches with network connectivity
No. of branches with Core Banking Solution (CBS)
5) Measures to promote financial inclusion:
Bank may furnish details of the various levels/slabs of minimum balance required to be maintained by customers and the related services offered by the bank linked to such multiple levels/slabs of minimum balance under Financial Inclusion initiatives.
A. Bank may also furnish details as under:-
If the bank has implemented BC model, the functioning of the BC model.
Whether bank has a multilingual website?
Setting up of Rural Development and Self Employment Training Institutes (RUDSETIs) and Other Financial Literary and Credit Counselling initiatives.
SHG linkages.
Other ICT enabled Financial Inclusion initiatives like Micro ATMs, Kiosks, etc.
Initiatives/progress in respect of any other latest developments in the Financial Inclusion area.
B. Bank may also provide statistical details for the last three years as under:-
Average number of Basic Savings Bank Accounts/ small accounts per branch
Average number of General Credit Card or Overdraft against Basic Savings Bank Accounts
Average number of Smart Cards issued per branch
6) Schedule of Charges of Products & Services offered:
Bank may forward the Schedule of Charges for various products and services offered to its customers. Minimum balance required for opening of various accounts, charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance, etc.
7) Steps proposed to be taken by the bank to ensure that the quality of customer service does not get adversely affected due to expansion of branch network.
8) Number of complaints received by the bank during last two years (Major areas/ types of complaints) may be mentioned.
Sr.
No.
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/427 · issued 04 Mar 2013. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Prepare detailed medium-term (3-year) branch expansion plans with tier-wise breakups and percentage increases.
Collate last three years' statistics on Basic Savings Bank Accounts, overdrafts, and smart cards per branch.
📜 Compliance
Update your ABEP submission process to use the revised Annex-3(E) format immediately.
Compile comprehensive data on financial inclusion initiatives, including BC model details, multilingual website status, SHG linkages, and ICT-enabled tools.
Review and document customer complaint trends, priority sector lending ratios, and operational risk measures for submission.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All Domestic Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs), Branch expansion planning teams, Financial inclusion and priority sector lending departments, Customer service and compliance teams), your first concrete step on “Revised Annex-3(E) for Annual Branch Expansion Plans” is: “Update your ABEP submission process to use the revised Annex-3(E) format immediately.” (RBI issued this 04 Mar 2013).
Circular: RBI/2012-13/427 -- Revised Annex-3(E) for Annual Branch Expansion Plans
Issued: 04 Mar 2013
Action required: Update your ABEP submission process to use the revised Annex-3(E) format immediately.
Action required: Prepare detailed medium-term (3-year) branch expansion plans with tier-wise breakups and percentage increases.
Action required: Compile comprehensive data on financial inclusion initiatives, including BC model details, multilingual website status, SHG linkages, and ICT-enabled tools.
Action required: Collate last three years' statistics on Basic Savings Bank Accounts, overdrafts, and smart cards per branch.
Action required: Review and document customer complaint trends, priority sector lending ratios, and operational risk measures for submission.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
💬 Banker Discussion
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=7877&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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