It may not be as soon as thought for SBI merging with all its associate banks. The government wants a clear picture of the cost to be incurred for the remaining mergers and others factors from SBI before coming to any decision on the issue.

Chairman of SBI, O P Bhatt had hinted during completion of merger of State Bank of Indore with SBI that he would soon be discussing the issue of merger of remaining associate banks also.

"There is a cost involved in the merger and some associates are listed on bourses. A definite idea from the bank on the resources required, will smoothen the process," said a senior finance ministry official.

Of the remaining associate banks, SBBJ, State Bank of Mysore and State Bank of Travancore are listed in the stock exchanges of India.

A SBI senior official said that the amalgamation of State Bank of Patiala and Hyderabad would not consume much time. "We haven't send any formal proposal so far. It will be done on a case to case basis in consultation with the management and unions of associate banks," he said.