Simplify the following text for a Grade 7 native English-speaking person.
Original: As of October 2007 , the Bank has a staff of over 24,703 employees and 2,468 branches covering 80,257 villages , up from 43,681 villages covered in 2003 .
Simplified: In October 2007 , the Bank had a staff of over 24,703 employees and 2,468 branches covering 80,257 villages . There were 43,681 villages covered in the year 2003 .