The Central Bank of India was established on 21 December 1911 by Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawala with Sir Pherozeshah Mehta as chairman,[6] and the first commercial Indian bank completely owned and managed by Indians.

[8] Also before World War II, Central Bank of India established a branch in Rangoon.

The branch's operations concentrated on business between Burma and India, and especially money transmission via telegraphic transfer.

[11] As on 31 March 2021, the bank has a network of 4,608 branches, 3,644 ATMs, ten satellite offices and one extension counter.

[14] The regulatory authorities in England and India forced all three Indian banks to close their London branches.