Slowdown in recruitments which had occured in late 1980s to 1990s had led to mid level crisis in these public sector banks (PSBs). This has forced banks like United Bank of India (UBI) to look for lateral entries even in senior positions.

Lateral entry is generally avoided by banks in senior posts as there is always a problem in integrating the newly hired with the existing staff. Also there is some difference in compensation packages which makes integration all the more tougher.

Situation however has become so dim for UBI that it has to recruit senior executives from other banks so as to fill up the voids in its top management. UBI was amongst those banks which avoided lateral recruitments earlier.

"We are preparing a contingency plan," said UBI chairman and managing director Bhaskar Sen.

In order to fill the empty posts in general manager level, the bank may also seek for senior bankers from other banks to join the bank in deputation. The bank has received approval from the finance ministry in this regard.

With growing business, the bank should ideally have 20 general managers now while it has only 13.