State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest public sector bank, has officially unveiled SBI YONO 2.0, a significantly revamped version of its flagship digital banking platform. The new platform was launched by SBI Chairman CS Setty at a dedicated event in Mumbai, marking a major milestone in the bank’s long-term digital transformation strategy.

With YONO 2.0, SBI aims to make digital banking more accessible, faster, and secure, while setting an ambitious target of onboarding 20 crore digital users in the coming years. To support this large-scale migration, the bank has also announced plans to recruit 6,500 new employees by the end of the 2025–26 financial year.

What Is SBI YONO 2.0 and Why It Matters

First introduced nearly eight years ago, the original YONO platform played a crucial role in bringing millions of SBI customers onto digital channels. However, with the rapid evolution of fintech services and growing competition from private banks and third-party payment apps, SBI has rebuilt the platform from the ground up.

YONO 2.0 is designed to be simpler, lighter, and more efficient, ensuring smooth performance even on smartphones with lower hardware capabilities and in areas with weak internet or mobile network coverage. This focus on inclusivity aligns closely with SBI’s nationwide customer base, especially in semi-urban and rural regions.

Unified Mobile and Internet Banking Experience

One of the most important upgrades in SBI YONO 2.0 is the integration of mobile banking and internet banking into a single backend architecture. This means that both platforms now operate on the same technological foundation and share a consistent user interface.

As a result, customers can switch seamlessly between the YONO mobile app and SBI’s internet banking portal without facing interruptions or inconsistencies. This unified approach improves reliability, enhances continuity across channels, and simplifies maintenance and future upgrades for the bank.

Core Banking and UPI Features at the Forefront

SBI YONO 2.0 continues to offer all essential banking services, while improving speed and responsiveness. Users can:

Check account balances and transaction history

Transfer funds through NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS

Make UPI payments and merchant transactions

Pay utility bills and manage recurring payments

To strengthen its position in the digital payments space, SBI has reportedly rebuilt its UPI payments stack, enabling it to compete more effectively with popular platforms such as Google Pay and PhonePe. The enhanced infrastructure is expected to improve transaction success rates and reduce latency.

Simplified KYC and Improved Security Measures

Another key focus area for SBI YONO 2.0 is compliance and security. The updated platform introduces simplified KYC and re-KYC processes, reducing the frequency and complexity of customer verification. This change is expected to significantly improve user convenience, particularly for long-term customers.

On the security front, SBI has implemented reinforced transaction controls and a new OTP generation mechanism. These improvements are designed to minimise transaction delays caused by weak networks and enhance protection against fraud, ensuring a safer digital banking experience.

Targeting 20 Crore Digital Users

During the launch event, SBI Chairman CS Setty outlined the bank’s ambitious vision for YONO 2.0. SBI aims to onboard 200 million (20 crore) users onto the upgraded digital platform over the next few years.

This goal reflects SBI’s belief that digital channels will play a central role in future banking operations, customer engagement, and cost efficiency. YONO 2.0 is expected to serve as the backbone for this digital-first strategy.

SBI Plans to Hire 6,500 New Employees

To support the large-scale migration of customers to digital platforms, SBI has announced plans to hire 6,500 new employees by March 31, 2026. These recruits will help customers transition to YONO 2.0, provide technical and operational support, and strengthen the bank’s digital service capabilities.

According to reports, around 3,500 of these positions have already been filled, indicating that the recruitment drive is well underway.

A Strategic Move in India’s Digital Banking Race

With YONO 2.0, SBI is positioning itself strongly in India’s increasingly competitive digital banking ecosystem. By combining a lightweight app design, unified banking infrastructure, stronger security, and enhanced UPI capabilities, SBI is addressing both urban and rural user needs at scale.

The platform’s focus on accessibility, reliability, and seamless cross-channel experiences highlights SBI’s intent to remain relevant in an era dominated by fintech innovation and mobile-first banking solutions.

Conclusion

The launch of SBI YONO 2.0 represents more than just an app upgrade — it signals a strategic shift towards a fully integrated, digital-first banking model. With a target of 20 crore users, thousands of new hires, and a renewed emphasis on performance and security, SBI is laying the groundwork for the next phase of India’s digital banking evolution.

As YONO 2.0 rolls out nationwide, it is set to become a central pillar in SBI’s mission to deliver inclusive, efficient, and future-ready banking services to millions of Indians.