South based lender Karnataka Bank has in a bid to increase its presence in the eastern shore of the country, set up a regional office in Kolkata.

According to CEO and MD of the bank, Mr P. Jayarama Bhat, this new regional office will also act towards meeting the requirements of the north eastern part of the country where the bank has no presence.

The office would be catering to regions including West Bengal, Assam, Chattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand, and Bihar.

The office was inaugurated by Mr P.K. Jena, Chief General Manager of RBI.

"We will be applying for more licenses to open branches during the year," he said.