New Delhi, Aug. 19 -- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged public sector banks (PSBs) to make their services simpler, more personalised and accessible around the clock to attract young customers and build long-term banking relationships.

Addressing the concluding session of the two-day PSB Confluence 2026 in New Delhi, Sitharaman asked state-owned banks to launch a month-long 'Banking for Youth' campaign from October 2, targeting customers aged 16 years and above.

She said the focus should be on building relationships with young customers from 'campus to career and beyond', rather than treating account opening as a one-time interaction.

PSBs Need to Change Youth Perception

Sitharaman said PSBs continue to carry a "government ...