IFSC Code of Punjab National Bank, Sareni Branch, Uttar Pradesh

This page lists the IFSC code, branch address, contact number and fund-transfer information for Punjab National Bank, SARENI branch in LUCKNOW. The 11-digit IFSC PUNB0196320 uniquely identifies this branch in the RBI's centralised payments network and is required for every NEFT, RTGS or IMPS transaction routed to this branch. If you are paying somebody who banks with Punjab National Bank at the SARENI location, this is the only IFSC you need.

We have organised this page into clearly labelled sections so you can jump straight to the part that interests you — the IFSC and MICR details, the full postal address, the contact phone number, a quick primer on NEFT, RTGS and IMPS, the typical product line-up at the branch, and a frequently asked questions section that addresses the queries people raise most often about this branch.

IFSC stands for Indian Financial System Code. It is an 11-character code that pinpoints a particular bank branch on the RBI's real-time payment rails. Every NEFT, RTGS or IMPS instruction must carry the destination branch's IFSC for the credit to land in the correct account.

In our case, PUNB0196320 is the IFSC of Punjab National Bank's SARENI branch. The format is fixed: PUNB = bank code, 0 = reserved, 196320 = branch identifier.

Branch details at a glance

Bank profile

Punjab National Bank is among the recognised banks listed on the Reserve Bank of India's payments network. The Sareni branch — IFSC PUNB0196320 — extends the bank's services to customers in and around Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Sareni branch overview

Located at SARENI,, the Sareni branch handles regular banking operations such as account opening, fixed and recurring deposits, locker facilities, loans, and trade finance services where applicable. The IFSC PUNB0196320 is required for all interbank electronic transfers routed through this branch.

The role of IFSC in India's payments network

India's electronic payment infrastructure — NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, UPI and the National Automated Clearing House (NACH) — is built on a single principle: every participating bank branch must be uniquely identifiable by an alphanumeric code. The Reserve Bank of India introduced the IFSC system to fulfil this requirement, and that is how Punjab National Bank's SARENI branch came to be assigned the code PUNB0196320.

Whether you are receiving a salary on the first of the month, paying a vendor invoice, settling an EMI, or accepting a refund from an e-commerce platform, the IFSC is the silent piece of metadata that tells the network where your account lives. Without IFSC PUNB0196320, money simply cannot be routed to the SARENI branch electronically.

How to transfer money using IFSC PUNB0196320

Online transfers in India are powered by three major channels — NEFT, RTGS and IMPS — and each one requires a destination IFSC. Below is a quick guide for using IFSC PUNB0196320 across all three.

How to use IFSC PUNB0196320 for an NEFT transfer

NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer) is the most widely used method for sending money to Punjab National Bank's SARENI branch. NEFT now settles on a 24x7 basis in half-hourly batches and has no upper limit for retail customers (individual banks may impose their own caps).

1. Log in to your internet banking or mobile banking app.
2. Choose Add Beneficiary and select NEFT / Other Bank.
3. Enter the beneficiary name, account number and the IFSC PUNB0196320.
4. Confirm the bank name auto-populates as Punjab National Bank and the branch as SARENI.
5. Approve the beneficiary using OTP. Once activated, transfer any amount and the credit will reflect in the next NEFT cycle.

RTGS transfers via IFSC PUNB0196320

RTGS (Real-Time Gross Settlement) is the fastest high-value transfer mechanism in India. It is meant for transfers of ₹2 lakh and above and settles each transaction individually and instantly. To remit through RTGS to Punjab National Bank – SARENI, ensure your bank's portal accepts IFSC PUNB0196320 while registering the beneficiary. RTGS is also available 24x7.

Send money instantly through IMPS

For a real-time, anytime transfer to Punjab National Bank – SARENI, use IMPS. With IFSC PUNB0196320 and the beneficiary's account number you can move up to ₹5 lakh per transaction with instant credit, any day of the year.

Comparing NEFT, RTGS and IMPS for transfers to Sareni

The right transfer rail depends on how urgent the payment is, how large it is, and whether the receiving bank participates in the chosen scheme. Every option below works with the IFSC PUNB0196320:

• NEFT — best for everyday transfers of any amount; settles in half-hourly batches around the clock.
• RTGS — best for transfers of ₹2 lakh and above; settles each transaction individually in real time.
• IMPS — best when speed matters more than batch scheduling; instant credit up to ₹5 lakh.
• UPI — best for small peer-to-peer payments using a VPA; the underlying account at SARENI is still linked to IFSC PUNB0196320.

For salary credits, vendor payouts and refunds, employers and merchants usually default to NEFT because of its zero per-transaction cost for retail customers and its 24x7 availability.

How UPI relates to the IFSC code

UPI lets you pay using a short Virtual Payment Address instead of typing the IFSC every time, but behind the scenes every UPI mandate is mapped to an account number plus an IFSC. For accounts at Punjab National Bank's SARENI branch, the IFSC PUNB0196320 is what the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) uses to route the credit when you tap Pay on a UPI app.

That is why, even in the UPI era, it is still worth knowing the IFSC of your home branch — for failed UPI mandates, e-mandate set-ups, third-party platform onboarding and salary or refund credits.

Account types you can open at the Sareni branch

Once you have an account at Punjab National Bank – SARENI, the IFSC PUNB0196320 stays the same regardless of the type of account you hold. The branch typically supports the following options:

• Savings account — for individuals, with chequebook, ATM card and net-banking access.
• Current account — for sole proprietors, partnerships and companies that need higher transaction volumes.
• Salary account — opened in bulk for corporate employees, often with zero-balance benefits.
• NRE / NRO accounts — for non-resident Indians who want to repatriate or maintain rupee balances in India.
• Fixed deposit and recurring deposit — term-based investment accounts with quarterly or cumulative interest.
• Senior citizen accounts — concessional minimum balance and a small interest rate premium on FDs.
• Minor and student accounts — operated jointly with a guardian until the customer turns 18.

Eligibility, minimum balance and KYC requirements vary by product. Speak to a relationship officer at the branch for the latest schedule of charges and interest rates.

Banking services available

The Sareni branch typically offers the following services. Specific products may vary by branch size; please confirm with the branch on the branch contact number.

• Savings, current and salary accounts
• Fixed deposits and recurring deposits
• Personal, vehicle and home loans
• Demat and investment products (where supported)
• Internet banking and mobile banking enrolment
• Debit and credit card issuance
• Locker facilities (subject to availability)
• Foreign exchange services (at authorised branches)
• Bill payments, demand drafts and pay orders
• NEFT / RTGS / IMPS / UPI fund transfers using IFSC PUNB0196320

MICR code & cheque clearing

Apart from IFSC, every cheque book issued by Punjab National Bank carries a 9-digit MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) code that is read by cheque-sorting machines. The MICR code, the IFSC PUNB0196320 and the account number together uniquely identify the Sareni branch and your account. The MICR for this branch is printed at the bottom of your cheque leaves.

Online banking and IFSC PUNB0196320

Punjab National Bank customers can register for net banking and the bank's official mobile app once their account at the SARENI branch is active. Net banking lets you view balances, download statements, open fixed deposits, request cheque books and initiate NEFT/RTGS/IMPS transfers — all without setting foot in the branch. The IFSC PUNB0196320 is pre-filled by the bank for transfers originating from your own account, and you only need to enter it manually when adding an external beneficiary or sharing your account details with a third party.

Common mistakes to avoid when using IFSC PUNB0196320

An incorrect IFSC almost always results in a failed transfer or, worse, a credit to the wrong branch. Before you click Confirm on a transfer to Punjab National Bank – SARENI, double-check for these issues:

• Confusing 0 with O. The fifth character of every IFSC is the digit 0, not the letter O. Read carefully.
• Spaces or hyphens. Do not put spaces in the IFSC. It is exactly 11 characters: PUNB0196320.
• Wrong branch. A bank can have dozens of branches in the same city. Make sure you are using the IFSC for the actual branch where the beneficiary holds the account, not just any nearby branch.
• Old IFSC after a merger. If two banks have merged, the IFSC may have been reissued. Always verify with a recent passbook or cheque leaf.
• Copy-paste from chat. Auto-correct on phones can silently change letters in IFSC codes. Type carefully or copy from a trusted source like the cheque book.

Reaching the branch

The Sareni branch sits at SARENI,. If you are travelling from outside Lucknow, search for the branch on a maps application using the bank name and locality, or call the branch contact number to ask for landmarks. Many customers find it easier to skip the trip altogether: net banking, mobile apps, NEFT, RTGS, IMPS and UPI all work using the IFSC PUNB0196320 and your account number.

Verifying IFSC PUNB0196320 from official sources

The IFSC listed on this page is sourced from the RBI's master list and validated against the bank's branch directory. To double-check before transferring large sums, you can also confirm PUNB0196320 by:

• Looking at the cheque leaf – IFSC is printed near the MICR band.
• Opening the passbook's first page.
• Calling the branch directly on the branch contact number.
• Visiting the bank's official branch locator page.

Branch banking hours and holidays

Indian bank branches typically operate from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday, and from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on working Saturdays (usually the 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturdays). The Sareni branch is closed on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays, all Sundays and on national or regional bank holidays. Online channels using IFSC PUNB0196320, however, work 24x7.

Branch address & contact

Frequently asked questions

Final notes

To recap: PUNB0196320 is the IFSC code of Punjab National Bank, SARENI branch, in LUCKNOW, UTTAR PRADESH. It is required for every electronic transfer to an account held at this branch. We keep this page updated with the latest address and contact details, so you can rely on the information here for your day-to-day banking needs.