History
The Kalyan Janata Sahakari Bank Ltd.has completed three & half decades of dedicated service to the people of Kalyan city and surrounding areas. From a modest beginning in December, 1973, the bank has grown by leaps and bounds in a short span of three & half decades with a business mix of over Rs. 1000 crores today. With 29000 shareholders and a satisfied client base of over 2.25 lakhs, the Bank is continuously striving to improve quality and set standards in customer service and become a 'Janata' bank in the truest sense.
The history of the bank dates back to the year 1970 when Advocate Bhaurao Sabnis and Shri. Vasantrao Purohit took the initiative, against heavy odds, in founding a bank for the predominantly middle class people of Kalyan. It was around the same time that The Kalyan Peoples' Co Operative Bank had failed leading to severe discontent among the people. Against this background, raising share capital for a bank was an extremely daunting task but their determined and relentless efforts culminated in a modest beginning on 23rd December, 1973 in a 180 sq.ft. office with three employees, share capital of Rs. 50,000/- and deposits of Rs. 80,000/-.
The first ones to be on the Board of Directors of the bank were Shri B.P.Joshi, Dr.P.V.Karkhanis, Advocate Shri Bhaurao Sabnis, Shri V.G.Phadke-Chartered Accountant, Prof.A.P.Pradhan, Shri S.M.Oak, Advocate U.S.Sheikh, Shri N.D.Bhoir, Shri G.S.Kadam, Shri V.H.Purohit, Shri W.D.Sathe among others. The visionary zeal of these pioneers has catapulted the bank into number one position in Kalyan with a spread of 9 branches in the city besides a branch each in Ulhasnagar, Wada and Murbad towns and entry in the Mumbai city with the opening of a branch in Ghatkopar(East) in March, 2004 and also Extension Counters at Badlapur & Ulhasnagar-1.
Landmarks
- Shifted to 'Gayan Samaj' on 26th January, 1978
- In 1992, the Bank's own three-story building was constructed.
- In the same year, the Head Office of the bank was shifted to a big establishment near the Railway Station.
- Late in the year 1994, the deposits crossed the 50 crore mark.
- At the fag end of the financial year 1996-97, the deposits shot up to 100 crores.
- The Reserve Bank of India granted permission to expand the area of operation from Thane District to Raigad and Mumbai Districts in 1998.
- The Bank obtained the direct membership to the clearing house of RBI from 01/01/1999.
- The Bank acquired the schedule status in January 2000
- The first branch in Mumbai at Ghatkopar began in May 2004
- The Bank garnered the Rs. 500/- Cr. Deposits in F. Y. 2007-08
- The MOU between the Bank & The Satara Merchants Co. operative Bank for merger, was signed on 7 February 2009, at Sajjangad.
- The business mix crossed Rs. 1000/- Cr. mark in March 2009.
Silver Jubilee Celebration
The Silver Jubilee of Bank was celebrated by organizing several programmes & assisting various social organizations. It was an year to remember. The silver jubilee celebration began by felicitating Shri. Rambhau Tamhne, who has dedicated his life for the welfare of vanvasi people. Late Shri. Pramod Mahajan honored him by awarding him the 'Sanchalak Puraskar'.
The Governor of Madhya Pradesh Hon. Shri Bhai Mahavir graced the closing ceremony of the silver jubilee year. He awarded Sanchalak Puraskar to Shri. Surendra Vajpayee for his memorable work in the field of education. Some of the events are narrated below :
Sangeet Mahotsav
A three day programme was arranged at Oak bag ground. On the first day, noted flutist Shri. Hariprasad Chaurasia played the flute & the whole atmosphere was charged.
A Sangeet natak (drama) named 'Vasundhara' was performed by group of USA based Indian artists lead by Dr. (Mrs.) Meena Nerurkar.
Third day saw Anil Mohile & party presenting their orchestra to the 2000 + audience. It was an experience to be seen & believed.
Sahakar Dindi
Our employees took out a procession from our Syndicate Branch to Main Branch covering main streets of Kalyan. It ended with a torch march from the room where the Bank originated to the Tilak Statue.
Workshop for Directors
A one day workshop for the directors and members of Kokan Nagari Banks Association was organized at Mahavir Hall, Kalyan. The response was very good.
Bhajan Competition
About 40 Bhajan Mandali participated in this competition. It was a multilingual event.
Celebrations Of The Golden Jubilee Year Of Independence
A deposit mobilization was organized on the evening of 14th August 1997 and there was a record collection of Rs. 1.25 crores in just 2 hours, from all 8 branches in Kalyan. The same day at 12 midnight, flag hoisting celebrations at the hands of freedom fighters received a massive response from the people of Kalyan.
Development Through Technology
All the Branches are working under Core Banking resulting in prompt customer service. Branch expansion to be made for 2009-10. We have recently merged with 'The Satara Merchants Co-Op Bank' which has enabled us to offer our services through four additional branches. We have also recently opened two new branches, one at 'Ulhasnagar - 2' and one at 'Thane'.
We had received permission for NEFT (National Electronic Fund Transfer) from RBI. RTGS facility is already available so that customer can transfer the amount to other Bank. We had launched SMS Banking on Maharashtra Day.
The Bank is also providing to its customers free Electronic Clearing System (ECS) facility for payment of telephone bills. For the convenience of customers, almost all branches work in double shift i.e. morning and evening on week days and also on Sundays.
The Bank has become a member of Negotiated Dealing System, an electronic platform for dealing in Government securities substantiating techno services of the Bank.
The Reserve Bank of India has recently granted the status of "Authorised Co-Operative Bank" to accept Rupee deposits from NRIs at four branches of the Bank. The Govt. of Maharashtra has also granted Stamp Vending License through Franking Machine which is installed at Kala Talao Branch.
Regulatory Compliance
The bank is achieving consistent growth in business and profits since inception and is given 'Grade I' status continuously every year by Reserve Bank of India on fulfilling their Capital Adequacy, Profitability, Net NPA, CRR and SLR norms. The year ended on 31/03/2009 is no exception. The Bank has also achieved consistent "A" audit rating during the past 36 years and it achieved "A" audit rating for the financial year ended on 31/03/2009. The net NPAs of the Bank as on 31.03.2009 are 0.00%, Gross NPAs 6.12% and CRAR is 14.63% which is extremely Healthy. In January, 2000, the bank earned "Scheduled Bank" status from the Reserve Bank of India. It is a matter of pride for the bank to be honoured with the "Best Urban Co-Operative Bank" award in August, 2003 by Maharashtra Kalaniketan. It was an achievement and important event in the annals of the bank considering that it stood out among 658 other co-operative banks from the State of Maharashtra.
Business Philosophy
The Bank offers attractive rate of interest on deposits which is marginally higher than that offered by other commercial Banks. In addition, registered Co-operative Housing Societies and senior citizens are entitled to additional interest @ 0.50% p.a. and 0.75% per annum respectively. In the falling interest scenario, the Bank has introduced Quarterly Interest Schme viz. "Kalyan Timahi Vyaj Yojana" for Senior Citizen as well as for general public which attracts interest @ 9.25% & 9% respectively for 36 months.
The Bank has innovative loan schemes like personal loan, home loan, vehicle loan, tourist loan, education loan, business loan etc. to suit individual needs available at competitive interest rates and convenient repayment period. The bank has supported over 12000 entrepreneurs / individuals through various loan schemes to set up ventures and improve their standard of living.
Social and Moral Commitments
Right from its inception, the Board of Directors of the Bank have maintained the policy of not availing loans from the Bank. It was only recently that the Reserve Bank of India issued this directive but the bank had steadfastly followed this policy.
With the sitting fees payable to the Directors, it has constituted the "Sanchalak Samajseva Puraskar Nidhi" a trust fund from which Rs. 25,000 is awarded each year to distinguished persons from Thane district for their achievement in different fields. In the past this award has been conferred on Shri Nanasaheb Karandikar, Shri Bhagwanrao Joshi, Shri V.A.Buwa, Shri Nanasaheb Phadke,Shri Sadashiv Sathe,Shri Rambhau Tamhane, Shri Surendra Vajpayee, Shri Rambhau Kapse, Shri Dattatraya Mhaiskar, Shri Jaykumar Pathare, Shri Wamanrao Prabhudesai among others.
The Bank is aware of its social obligations and for the past three decades is supporting the institutions, working in social, educational, cultural, medical and sports fields. The bank has provided financial assistance to the tune of over Rs. 45 lakh, during past 3 decades, to about 250 charitable organisations. It has provided financial assistance to set up the Late Rambhau Mhalgi Sabhagriha in Kalyan, Janata Bank Auditorium in Mahila Udyog Mandir and the Late Damu Anna Tokekar Adivasi Hostel at Ambhan, Tal:Palghar. The wards of members are given cash awards every year for meritorious performance in various competitive examinations. Under the "Sabhasad Kalyan Nidhi", all lady members and senior male members above the age of 65 are provided free medical exmanination and financial assistance for medical treatment. The "Karmachari Kalyan Nidhi" takes care of the welfare of the employees by arranging annual get together, excursions, entertainment programmes, sports meet etc. in which all employees participate enthusiastically as one family.
Green Project
Recently, Bank has undertaken social afforestation project for planting 10000 trees at Mhaskal, near Titwala, project being named 'Sahakari Vanikarn". The project is also assisted by Mahindra Lifespaces and Johnson & Johnson. Bank has intention to plant 10000 trees by the end of the year 2010. Read more about Green Project here...
Conclusion
In the end, it can be concluded that the progress of the bank is due to team work of the Bank Family or Bank Parivar. The directors with imagination and initiative lead the cohesive team of employees with brilliance and efficiency, with sincerely and hard work to cater to the needs of co. operative and affectionate customer.
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