Axis BankLtd. has opened an all-women branch in the capital of West Bengal,India, to encourage female participation in banking activities, The Hindu reported July 16, citing RajivAnand, the bank's executive director.

The Kolkata branch, which will offer the same services asthat of a regular bank, is first of its kind in West Bengal. Following theinauguration July 15, the lender now has 118 branches in the city and 219 branchesstatewide.