Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan on Saturday said an ideal bank must have a mission which would help it move closer to its vision.
Participating in the 96 founders’ day celebration of Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) in the city, Mr. Narasimhan listed out a few important features that a customer looks for in a bank before deciding to deposit his savings. “I, as a customer, would be interested to know if my bank has a mission or it is driven by sheer profit margin. The founders of the KVB, M. A. Venkatarama Chettiar and Athi Krishna Chettiar, had a vision when they founded the organisation in 1916,” he said.
He said it was heartening to see the bank celebrating its ‘vijaya yatra’ in the city of Vijayawada, which had the blessing of goddess Kanaka Durga.
Important parameters
He said trustworthiness, quick and efficient service, single window transactions, growth pattern, incentives offered to the clientele, and the corporate social responsibility were other important parameters that worked in favour of a bank eager to expand its customer base.
“Growth pattern of a bank is important. Growth happens because of a healthy customer relationship,” he said pointing to the need for banks to focus on rural areas as well. “We need rural areas to have banking facilities with transparency and honesty as key elements.” Emphasising the need to bridge the rural-urban divide, he said every time a bank opened a branch in a metro city, it must consider setting up similar facilities in at least four or five villages also.
Referring to the incentives offered by banks, he said: “If you are able to get the blessings of senior citizens on this count, growth and progress is for sure.”
Touching upon the crucial CSR policy, Mr. Narasimhan suggested that the KVB adopt a few (around 10) villages in Andhra Pradesh and develop them like urban areas.
Complimenting the KVB for its successful track record, he attributed it to the team work.
Earlier, Mr. Narasimhan paid tributes to the founders of the bank by offering flowers. Best KVB branches in various categories were also awarded on the occasion.
