The resource management centre will be a "proactive service provider" that will help all units identify and manage staff mis-matches in terms of numbers and skills. The whole exercise will lead to the exit of surplus staff with the help of a VRS, its fourth in the last five years.

ANZ Grindlays, which has 3,200 employees spread over 15 cities, may shut down four more branches in Calcutta while opening some in the three other metros. Sources in the bank said a two-phase restructuring exercise-business process reorganisation and introduction of commercial banking system-during the last two years has resulted in excess manpower, which the bank wants to get rid off.

ANZ Grindlays had recently appointed US consultancy major McKinsey & Co to work out a three-year business strategy and also give a closer look to its existing activities and employees.Bank sources said the management issued a circular to all the divisional general managers on November 22. The circular said McKinsey will identify the `performers and non-performers' among the existing staff. For the non-performers the bank is likely to introduce a VRS, sources said.The bank introduced the first VRS, based on medical grounds, about five years back. However, there were few takers. In end 1995, another VRS was floated, and was accepted by 595 employees, of which 187 were from West Bengal. In early 1998, 80 employees all over the country opted for the last round of VRS.

The trade union leaders have not yet been informed about the latest round of VRS. "Our members had a meeting with top officials on December 10, at which the management categorically denied introducing any fresh VRS or closing down of branches," one union leader said. Insiders pointed out that Calcutta has some surplus staff while Chennai has a shortage. This has resulted from the bank's decision to centralise many banking operations at Chennai.

Recently, ANZ country head Singh addressed employees at the four metros beginning with Delhi on December 15. At these meetings, he categorically denied that the management had any VRS plans. "Talking to you I found that you have a misconceived idea that a fresh VRS will be introduced. I must say that we do not have any such plans," Tony Singh told ANZ employees in Calcutta on December 16. Banking sources said a formal announcement is likely to be made any time, now that the confidence building exercise is over. In Calcutta, where ANZ Grindlays was set up as National Bank of India Ltd in 1863, closed down nine branches between March 1998 and March 1999. Sources said it has planned to close down four more branches.