Which of the following banks announced a facility allowing its customers to make card-less cash withdrawals at over 1,000 automated teller machines (ATMs) across India?

Introduction / Context:
Indian banks have been introducing innovative digital services such as card-less cash withdrawals, which allow customers to withdraw money from automated teller machines without using a physical debit card. This question asks you to identify the bank that rolled out such a facility at more than 1,000 ATMs across India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to a specific card-less cash withdrawal facility.
• The service covers over 1,000 ATMs nationwide.
• The options include Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank, AU Small Finance Bank and State Bank of India.
• We assume the question relates to a widely reported banking awareness news item from the competitive exam period.

Concept / Approach:
Card-less cash withdrawal services generally work by generating a code or reference number through internet banking or a mobile app. The customer then uses this code at an ATM to withdraw cash, thereby reducing the risk associated with lost or skimmed cards. To answer, we need to recall which bank, among the options, was highlighted in current affairs for extending such a facility to more than 1,000 of its ATMs.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall recent banking news related to card-less withdrawals and small finance banks.Step 2: Remember that AU Small Finance Bank introduced a card-less cash withdrawal facility and extended it to over 1,000 ATMs across India.Step 3: Check the options: Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank, AU Small Finance Bank and State Bank of India.Step 4: Match the news item with AU Small Finance Bank, which is specifically associated with this roll-out.Step 5: Conclude that AU Small Finance Bank is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
This information appears in many banking awareness compilations and competitive exam memory-based questions, which note that AU Small Finance Bank enabled customers to withdraw cash without a card from over 1,000 of its ATMs using secure authentication from mobile channels. Larger banks such as SBI and ICICI Bank also have digital innovations, but this particular statistic of more than 1,000 ATMs is linked to AU Small Finance Bank.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Bank of Baroda: Although it offers digital services, it was not the bank highlighted for this particular card-less withdrawal expansion.
• ICICI Bank: ICICI has introduced several digital banking features, but the specific figure of over 1,000 ATMs in this news item is associated with AU Small Finance Bank.
• State Bank of India: SBI has its own digital platforms like YONO, yet the question is targeting the smaller private institution that recently expanded its ATM network with card-less withdrawals.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may assume that the largest public sector or private sector bank is always behind new initiatives. However, smaller and newer banks, especially small finance banks, often innovate aggressively to attract customers. This can cause confusion if one does not read the details of current affairs carefully. It is helpful to remember that the card-less cash withdrawal at more than 1,000 ATMs was a notable achievement of AU Small Finance Bank.

Final Answer:
The bank that launched a facility for card-less cash withdrawals at over 1,000 ATMs across India is AU Small Finance Bank.