Himachal Pradesh Gramin Bank

Regional Rural Bank Sector

“Banking the Apple State”

Himachal Pradesh Gramin Bank (HPGB) is a Regional Rural Bank (RRB) sponsored by Punjab National Bank, serving the rural and hill communities of Himachal Pradesh — the 'Dev Bhoomi' (Land of Gods), India's magnificent Himalayan hill state known for its apple orchards, deodar forests, Kullu-Manali tourism belt, and Shimla's colonial heritage. Operating under the joint ownership of the Government of India (50%), PNB (35%), and the Government of Himachal Pradesh (15%), HPGB operates in one of India's most geographically challenging terrains — a state where almost every village is perched on a hill, roads are narrow and seasonal, and winters cut off large parts of the state for months. Despite these challenges, HPGB maintains an extensive branch network across Himachal Pradesh's hill districts, serving as the primary or only formal banking institution for countless mountain communities. Himachal Pradesh's rural economy is dominated by its famous apple horticulture (HP supplies over 25% of India's apples), other temperate fruits like pear, plum, cherry, and apricot, vegetable cultivation for Delhi's markets, tourism-linked livelihoods, and traditional crafts including Kullu shawl weaving and Kangra paintings. HPGB's credit architecture reflects this hill economy: Kisan Credit Cards for apple, vegetable, and cereal farmers, horticulture development loans for apple orchard establishment and cold storage infrastructure, polyhouse and greenhouse agriculture loans for off-season vegetable production, dairy and sheep/goat rearing loans, MUDRA loans for tourism-linked micro-businesses, SHG credit for hill women, housing loans under PMAY-Gramin for hill households, and term deposits. HPGB also facilitates PMJDY accounts, DBT, and government scheme enrolments in its districts. All deposits are DICGC insured.