Mumbai: In a major push toward digital financial inclusion, Bank of Baroda and Reliance Jio on Sunday announced a strategic partnership to launch bob World Lite, a comprehensive mobile banking application designed specifically for feature phone users on the JioPhone Prima 4G device.
The initiative aims to expand digital banking access across India, especially in semi-urban and rural regions, in line with the Government of India and RBI’s financial inclusion vision.
Banking Access for Feature Phone Users
Unlike conventional mobile banking apps limited to smartphones, bob World Lite has been developed to work efficiently on feature phones.
Key features include:
- UPI-enabled Scan & Pay
- Money transfers and payments
- Bill payments and mobile recharges
- Profile and account management
The app uses a lightweight, low-bandwidth architecture with keypad navigation and secure access, making digital banking simple and accessible.
Read also: Bank of Baroda Launches AI-Powered Multilingual Platform “bob SAMVAD” for Inclusive Banking
Pre-Loaded on JioPhone Prima 4G
The application will be:
- Pre-installed on JioPhone Prima 4G devices
- Accessible directly from the home screen
- Available via JioStore for existing users
Customers of Bank of Baroda as well as users of other banks can onboard through a self-registration process, expanding its reach to a wider user base.
Leadership Views on Digital Inclusion
Bank of Baroda Statement
Bank of Baroda MD & CEO Dr. Debadatta Chand said the initiative marks a major step in extending banking beyond smartphones.
He emphasized that the app will enable:
- Simple and secure banking access
- Wider customer onboarding
- Stronger financial inclusion in underserved regions
Reliance Jio Statement
Reliance Jio President Dr. (Hon.) Sunil Dutt said the collaboration strengthens Jio’s mission of digital democratization.
He highlighted that:
- JioPhone has enabled affordable digital access across India
- The partnership brings full-featured banking to feature phone users
- The solution is designed for scale, security, and ease of use
Boost to Financial Inclusion in India
The partnership combines:
- Jio’s extensive telecom reach
- Bank of Baroda’s nationwide banking network
Together, the companies aim to significantly expand access to digital banking services across India, particularly for users outside the smartphone ecosystem.
The launch of bob World Lite marks a major milestone in India’s digital banking journey, bridging the gap between feature phone users and modern financial services. The initiative is expected to strengthen rural banking access and promote wider adoption of digital payments.
About Bank of Baroda
Bank of Baroda is one of India’s leading public sector banks with a strong domestic and international presence. It offers a wide range of retail, corporate, and digital banking services and is actively driving financial inclusion and digital transformation across the country.
Read also: Bank of Baroda Wins Gold at SKOCH Summit 2026 for “bob E Pay – UPI Global Connect”
