INTRODUCTION

Andhra Bank is a medium-sized public sector bank (PSB), with a network of 2000+ branches, 15 extension counters, 38 satellite offices and 1563 automated teller machines (ATMs) as on 30 Nov 2013. During 201112, the bank entered the states of Tripura and Himachal Pradesh. The bank now operates in 25 states and three Union Territories. The Government of India owns 58% of its share capital and is going to increase it to 62.14% by infusing INR2 billion in capital. The state owned Life Insurance Corporation of India holds 10% of the shares. The bank has done a total business of INR2230 billion for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2013. Andhra Bank is 100% CBS as on date. This will benefit the customers, who will have access to banking and financial services anytime, anywhere through multiple delivery channels. Andhra Bank is a pioneer in introducing Credit Cards in the country in 1981.

OBJECTIVES
The purposes of the report are: to give a brief description of Andhra Bank, India. to discuss its role in rural economic development.

METHODOLOGY
The seminar report is prepared from the secondary sources of related websites in the internet and no primary data has been used in it.

FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS

Andhra Bank is pioneer in introducing many innovative Rural Development

measures since its inception. Andhra Bank Rural Development Trust (ABRDT) was established by the Bank in the year 1989, as a tribute to the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of his birth Centenary. This Trust has been established to extend rural service beyond basic banking. The Trust was established

with a rationale of Complementing the financial assistance provided by the Bank to rural people with technical assistance and livelihood enhancement. Take up various rural development measures which will eventually help in reducing the migration of rural people to urban areas. Carrying out various rural development activities designed for the purpose through the vast net work of Bank branches. Andhra Bank adopts multi pronged approach to achieve comprehensive rural development with focus on farmers, SHG women, unemployed youth, artisans etc., through the following activities: Disseminating the cost-effective and latest area based agricultural techniques to farmers which enable them to get the best results from their farming, by utilizing the bank credit. Identifying unemployed youth and motivating them to take up self employment; by offering them opportunities to acquire technical skills and to develop entrepreneurial abilities through training. Providing them with business counseling and market guidance. Post-training settlement assistance by coordinating with banks for credit linking. Improving the skills of SHG women and orienting them towards income generating activities, thus transforming the micro Finance into Livelihood Finance. Bank has covered all the allotted villages having population above 2000 with Business Correspondent operated banking outlets by March 2012. At the end of March 2013, 7.01 lakh AB Gram Kranthi Savings accounts, with built in overdraft facility of Rs 500/- were opened through BC agents in FI villages. As at the end of March 2013, 495 new FI villages have been covered under FIP as against a target of 316. Bank is continuing the disbursal of Government benefits such as MGNREGS wages and Social security pensions to the identified beneficiaries in the allotted districts Guntur and Srikakulam under '' one District- one Bank'' mode and through service area mode in East Godavari District and in one mandal of Warangal district of A.P.
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State. We have enrolled over 22 lakh beneficiaries in 2656 gram panchayats and during the year Rs 533 crores was disbursed as benefit amount through CSPs. Smart card project - Self Help Groups (SHGs) To facilitate providing banking services at the doorstep of SHGs, Bank is undertaking SHG-Smart Card Project through Business Correspondent agents on pilot basis at 4 branches, viz., Rayavaram, Kadiam, Anaparthi and Bibinagar. By this method, the SHG women are able to undertake banking transactions at their door step without visiting the branches. This system has enabled them to save on time and money. Coverage of Non-Loanee Farmers: Bank has taken up a special campaign to cover 100% farmers through bank finance in Bank's Service Area Villages. 62,041 new farmers are covered with Bank finance during year up to March 31st, 2013.

CONCLUSION
Union Bank provides a complete suite for products and services for Agricultural/ SSI/ Tertiary Sector needs. The range is large and varied, and tailored for all segments of customers from individuals to corporate. Lending to Priority Sectors of the economy is a very important of our advances portfolio.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.moneycontrol.com/annual-report/andhrabank/directorsreport/AB14 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andhra_Bank