Public sector lender, Allahabad Bank aims for expanding its operations in Gujarat. The bank has planned to set up nine branches in the state by September this year. Out of the total count, atleast four branches would be set up in rural areas, said a top official of the bank.

With this, the bank aims to move ahead towards achieving its target of a total business of Rs 4,00,000 crore in the next three years.

The bank is targetting its focus on micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) lending in Gujarat.

D Sarkar, executive director of the bank said, "MSME lending is one of the focus areas for us. Gujarat is a hub of SME units and the need for finance is rising rapid pace. We are hopeful for growth in financing to agriculture sector, which includes financing for warehouses and other infrastructure requirements."

The bank has a total business of Rs 6719.69 crore from Gujarat so far. The total branch count of the lender in Gujarat is 47 and 1 in Silvassa.