Virat Kohli. File photoNew Delhi: The Punjab National Bank (PNB) has clarified that Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli continues to be its brand ambassador and denied reports that it has engaged audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to investigate the Rs 11,400 crore fraud committed on the state-owned lender by diamond jeweler Nirav Modi and his associates.
The bank has also said in a statement that it has not imposed any withdrawal limits on its customers and normal banking activities are going on.
"Mr Virat Kohli is our brand ambassador," the bank said, denying media reports that he is going to discontinue his endorsement with the bank. "The same is again totally false and incorrect," it added.
The bank also said that it has not engaged PwC to conduct an investigation into the alleged fraud and gather evidence against Modi and his associates. The media report is "totally incorrect", it added.
On the reports floating on social media and other platforms that the bank has imposed a withdrawal limit of Rs 3,000 per customer, PNB said: "It is absolutely incorrect, no such limit has been fixed by the bank and normal banking activities are going as usual.
"No restrictions on the withdrawals have been imposed by the bank," it clarified.
Further clarifying on news that the Reserve Bank of India and the government have asked the bank to make payment to the fraudulent amount to other banks, it said: "The report is totally incorrect and the bank confirms not having received any such instructions."
It also said that the report about 18,000 transfers done by the bank recently is far from facts and only 1,415 transfers of its employees has been effected as per its extant transfer policy.
"The work in the branches is going on smoothly and the above transfers are in no way affecting the customer service in the Bank."
The PNB reiterated that it has the capacity and capability to handle the situation and protect the interest of the institution, customers and stakeholders.
"Bank has already initiated prompt steps for protecting the financial interest of all the lenders/ stakeholders including issuance of advisory to lenders involved and to act swiftly to recover the dues," it said further.
It also reaffirmed that the bank is committed to honor all bonafide commitments.
"In pursuant of Clean and Responsible Banking agenda of the government, bank has taken proactive steps to bring the culprits to the books and has initiated strong action against the entities and the staff involved," the PNB said.
