No More Bank Visits? SBI’s Digital Overhaul Brings Face Login, Video KYC, and More
No More Bank Visits? SBI’s Digital Overhaul Brings Face Login, Video KYC, and More
The State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s biggest public bank, is preparing for a major digital change in the next financial year (FY26). This change will begin with a new version of its app, YONO, which is used by millions of customers across India.
The new app is called “Only YONO.” It will be more user-friendly and will give each user a personalised experience. The app will allow people to log in using their fingerprints or face. It will also support many Indian languages, so that people from different parts of the country can use it easily.
SBI is also improving how people open bank accounts without visiting the branch. The bank is adding video KYC (Know Your Customer) for small business owners who run sole proprietorships. It will also expand the digital Kisan Credit Card service to farmers in five more states. In some branches, facial recognition will also be added to help people use banking kiosks.
In another update, SBI will set up more than 3,000 Swayam kiosks across the country. These machines are used to print passbooks. Out of these, 1,000 kiosks will have a new feature that automatically flips the pages, making it easier for people to use.
The bank is also working on a new system that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to send messages to customers. This system will be able to understand what each customer needs and send the right message through SMS, WhatsApp, or email. This new messaging system will be fully ready by October 2025.
SBI is also building a big data system called a Data Lakehouse. This will help the bank see customer data in real-time and make faster decisions. This system will be ready by September 2026.
Along with this, the bank is also improving how it handles agricultural loans for farmers and trade finance for businesses that import or export goods. The new export and import systems were made live in April 2025.
Background of the YONO App
YONO stands for “You Only Need One.” It is a digital banking app started by SBI in 2017. Over the years, it has become very popular with more than 50 million users. The app lets people do many things in one place, like check their balance, send money, pay bills, invest, shop, or book tickets.
SBI says this new version of YONO will make banking faster, easier, and safer for everyone, from farmers to small business owners to young people who prefer using apps for everything.
What This Means for Customers
The new changes will help make banking more digital, quicker, and safer. People won’t have to visit the bank branch for many things. They can open accounts, apply for credit, and get important messages, all from their phones.
With better technology, more languages, and safer logins, SBI is hoping to help more people enjoy the benefits of modern banking.
