Public sector lender, Punjab National Bank is in immediate need of recruitment given the fact that 10,000 current employees are going to retire in the upcoming three years. Concerned over the upcoming dearth in manforce, the All-India Punjab National Bank Officers' Association has asked the bank management to take immediate steps in this regard.

"Staff shortage is a major issue in Punjab National Bank (PNB) and we want the management to address the same by recruiting more employees if it wants to expand its reach across the country and broaden its customer base," the All India Punjab National Ba nk Officers' Association (AIPNBOA) Deputy General Secretary, Mr Pradeep Kumar said.

Data by the bank association reveals that almost 20% of the total strength of PNB is going to superannuate in the coming two to three years.

The bank also plans to set up 350 more branches in the country. "If there will be a staff shortage, then how the branch expansion can be carried out?" Mr Kumar asked.

The bank has generated total business of Rs 5 lakh crore till December 2010 and plans to take it to Rs 10 lakh crore by 2013 along with a target of reaching a customer base of 15 crore by 2013.