Private sector lender, Andhra Bank as well as public sector peer, State Bank of Hyderabad are all geared up to take their financial inclusion initiative to new heights.

"Of the 1,144 villages allotted to Andhra Bank under financial inclusion plan (FIP) target for March 2012, Andhra Pradesh alone accounts for 1,060 villages while the rest are outside the State," informed a top official of the bank.

He said that the bank aims to encompass as many as 6 lakh beneficiaries in this plan.

According to SBH, MD, Ms. Renu Challu, the bank plans to achieve its financial inclusion target in two phases.

"We are also implementing Smartcard projects in six districts of Andhra Pradesh," Ms Challu said.

The districts of Adilabad and Nellore are being covered under ‘One District - One Bank' model while Warangal, Medak, Karimnagar and Mahaabubnagar are under ‘One District - Many Banks' model.

SBH has also entered into a pact with Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) following which it will act as registrar for the same.