Bank of Baroda has launched ‘bob SAMVAD’, an AI-powered multilingual conversational platform aimed at transforming in-branch customer interactions and improving accessibility across its network.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Finance, the platform was formally launched by M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), in Mumbai on 28 March 2026.
The platform is designed to eliminate language barriers in banking by enabling seamless communication between customers and branch staff in their preferred languages.
Developed entirely in-house, bob SAMVAD uses AI-driven speech and language technologies to facilitate real-time, low-latency, two-way communication across 22 languages, ensuring contextual accuracy and natural fluency.
At the branch level, customers can speak or input queries in their chosen language, which are instantly translated into the staff member’s preferred language, and vice versa.
The interaction is displayed as text on screen, with an optional voice mode that converts text into speech, making the system accessible for users who prefer audio.
Secretary, DFS, M. Nagaraju said that bob SAMVAD will promote more inclusive & accessible service delivery and help improve customer service at branches. Th initiative has set a new benchmark for the sector, he added.
Commenting on the launch, Dr Debadatta Chand, Managing Director and CEO of Bank of Baroda, said, “With bob SAMVAD, Bank of Baroda is leveraging AI to make our branches more inclusive and customer-friendly by enabling seamless real-time conversations in local languages. This initiative reflects our commitment to operational excellence by combining technology with customer-centric design.”
In the first phase, bob SAMVAD will be deployed across 250 branches in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
This will be followed by a phased rollout across the bank’s wider branch network.
