HAPPY BIRTHDAY BANK OF BARODA



  •       "Rupees eight hundred penalty for an improperly presented cheque?" This is the beginning of an argument between a customer and the bank clerk. The customer had forgotten to sign the cheque and it bounced though all other things were correct and the bank charged Rs. 800/- for the mistake treating it as an offence.
  •      A car worth eighty lacs was bought with bank loan where the delivery of the car was delayed beyond the auspicious month for want of full payment by a mere Rs. 400/- which the bank deducted from the loan amount as part of processing fee with the explanation 'though processing fee is waived this fee is compulsory'.

In both the cases the customer service was behaviorally very polite, courteous, friendly and even sophisticated in words in that Private Bank. 


Garden Silk Mills in early eighties signed an Agreement with their Union a couple of months before Diwali that resulted in payment of huge arrears and bonus to employees. The Financial Heads of the Company along with Mr. Arun Dudhwala Credit Manager of the bank entered the cabin of Rasikbhai who was in charge Regional Head. After hectic and prolonged discussion proposals were readied with late night sitting of all concerned and a team of bankers and Company reps rushed to Mumbai Central Office for further action. 


We are not concerned with cost of credit but timely credit was the statement from the Company. As the credit was sanctioned the Central Office much to the envy of other bankers in Surat also arranged for release of new notes by RBI something that Guajarati are sentimentally attached.

 After a year or so the bankers were at the doorstep of the Company when short term interests were low only in our bank giving the Company a chance to reciprocate the gesture by not withdrawing their deposits. Such all weather relationship is something persons like me not connected with day to day banking operations cherish with pride even today. 


It is just one incident and I have many more to quote the bondage of customer-banker in our bank. Incidents such as above make me feel that I worked for an institution that had a culture of genuine service though customer dissatisfaction often originated by the rules and regulations that restricted instant service that the customer expected. The delay is often compensated by the absence of fine prints and invisible charges that customers face when they get service with quicker decision elsewhere. 

It is fifteen years since I left the bank and have innumerable occasions to see quick services adds equally quickly charges and conditions when the deal is about to be struck leaving the customer gasping for options. Invariably I think of my bank for a comparison of genuineness in deals.  


I had an occasion to visit Pandharpur where once again the local bank staff (unknown to me) arranged hotel booking through a conference call with the hotel manager. As I reported at the hotel and said I am Kannan, he gave keys of two suites and I stayed for two days.

 As I settled the bill for our stay and food, I asked the manager who incidentally was the owner of the hotel, "How did you allow me and my people to stay in two rooms without an iota of verification or address proof and also advance"? " Sir, Bank of Baroda booked your room and I started a tea shop three decades ago with your bank loan and today own this five storied biggest hotel of the city" was his reply as he wished me happy journey and a return to the pilgrim center again.


It is trust, pride and confidence that bubbled in his talk with a sense of affinity to the bank and its staff making me all the more proud that I served an institution that nurtured values and relationship that were long lasting.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY BANK OF BARODA- LONG LIVE BANK OF BARODA


















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