Repco Bank will start a vocational training centre with a view to benefiting the repatriates in the state through individual-oriented skills, said M. Balasubramanian, Managing Director of the Bank.
Speaking at a function to mark the inauguration of the bank's extension counter at Cantonment here on Monday, Mr. Balasubramanian said the vocational training centre would be, in course of time, converted into a college to cater to the higher educational needs of the wards of the repatriates.
A large number of families were found settled in the central districts and also in and around Coonoor. Hence, the bank was planning to start the vocational centre either in Tiruchi or in Coonoor, he said. In the meanwhile, the bank would also conduct a survey on ascertaining the number of repatriates families living in Tamil Nadu.
On business expansion, Mr. Balasubramanian said that the bank had drafted a comprehensive plan to be carried out before March 2012. The plan, he said, aimed at starting 16 more branches of the bank, taking the total number of branches from the present 69 to 85. One of the branches would be in Perambalur. Further, with a view to sanctioning more housing loans, the number of Repco Home branches would be increased from the present 43 to 65.
Also, by March 2012, the business turnover would be expanded from the present Rs.4,200 crore to Rs.6,500 crore. The Repco MSME unit had sanctioned loans to 18,000 self-help groups benefiting 2.5 lakh persons. By the turn of March 2012, the MSME would benefit 25,000 groups with five lakh beneficiaries.
Highlighting the achievement of the Repco Foundation, Mr. Balasubramanian said that it had planned to set up 5,000 mini diaries in Sivagangai district within three years with a credit flow of Rs.3.50 crore. The plan, which was started three months ago, was being implemented in full swing and so far 330 mini diary units had been set up. The Repco Foundation imparted adequate skill development training to the beneficiaries.
Based on its success in Sivagangai district, the Repco Foundation has planned to start diary, goat-rearing and cottage industries in Tiruvallur district and diary and cottage industries in Chennai.
The extension counter was a full-fledged branch, offering all banking services to the customers.
ATM
The bank has planned to provide value-added service to the customers by establishing automated teller machine (ATM) centres. To start with, three ATMs would be set up in Chennai shortly.
T.Rajendran, Assistant General Manager, Repco Main Branch, Chinthamani, said that his branch had started a special camp for sanctioning jewel loan from September to January 31, 2011. The working hours had been extended to benefit customers. The branch would function up to 6 p.m. from the present 3.30 p.m. on week days; and up to 3 p.m. from the present 12.30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Earlier, District Collector, T. Sondiah, declared open the extension counter. S. Balasundaram, Joint General Manager, Regional Development Officer, Tiruchi Region; K. Christadas Sellaraj, Assistant General Manager, Extension Counter were among those who spoke.
