Sathabishekam for SBH on 5th April 2022

 

Erstwhile SBH SATHABISHEKAM on 5th April 2022

Illustrious journey: Had State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH) continued its journey, it would be proudly celebrating its Sathabishekam (80 years' completion) (founders’ day) tomorrow. The hundred per cent largest Associate, SBH, was merged with its parent SBI, when it was celebrating its Diamond Jubilee and was five days short of completing 75 years of glorious existence. As on date of merger, the bank’s total business was in excess of Rs.2.60 lac cr., higher than the business levels of Kotak Mahindra Bank (Mar 2016), one of the top five private sector banks in India today. The bank never received capital infusion in a big way from its parent and the healthy CAR presented year after year was from its retained profits only.  It had a network of 1930 branches well spread across India, with a niche for itself in at least five states (Telengana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) and experienced staff numbering 18000 plus. The Bank also had to its credit a RRB, Telengana Grameena Bank, sponsored by it, with a network of 363 branches across Telengana and AP. Though, the bank was easily the best bet to become an independent Universal Bank in 2017 and was usually referred to as “State Bank” in its core area of operations (Undivided Andhra Pradesh and Nizam ruled areas in Maharashtra and Karnataka), like its other peers SBT and SBBJ, the decision of the central government to merge all associates into the parent surprised everyone. 

Uniqueness: The employees of Hyderabad State Bank (earlier name of SBH) hoisted the Indian National Flag on 15^th August 1947, even though the political status of Hyderabad State remained unchanged even after independence of India in 1947 for a brief period. Recognising the patriotism exhibited by the employees, even before merger of the state with India, the bank extended the right of national flag hoisting on every Independence Day to SBH employees union. Both the employees union and the officers association ABOA: Unit SBH always take a pride in stating that due to their affection for the bank and the cordial relationship they maintained with successive managements of the bank, the staff never had an occasion to go on strike/organisational struggles against the management of the bank.  (Of course, they went on agitation/struck work for wage revision and other issues which were taken up at industry level by their parent organisations).

My proud moments: Under the leadership of Shri Santanu Mukherjee (the first SBHian to head SBH itself, though there were other SBHians who headed other associates), the bank spread its wings further, in the period 2014-17. There were notable achievements like

·  The bank was given the lead bank responsibility for Telengana State, a privilege held only by SBH among associates of SBI

·  The bank was adjudged the second best public sector bank by Kerala Bankers Club for 2015-16

·   The bank was ranked number one in cross selling business among associates and even among majority of LHOs of SBI in the years 2014-15 and 2015-16

·   Our market share, both in deposits and advances, went up by leaps and bounds in the newly formed zones and networks in Telengana, AP, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Notwithstanding the above, I attach special importance to the following:

1. The way the entire staff force managed demonetisation of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes. Irrespective of gender/cadre, every one stood up to the cause and worked as one. There were long queues, long hours of work and so on. There was no word of even a monetary compensation at that time.  I salute the staff, especially those who were in branches.

2. The bank was the pioneer in the PMJDY campaign (more than 30 lac accounts were opened) with so many villages across Telengana achieving 100% account openings by the households established there. Again a stupendous achievement.

3.  Shri Ajay Kumar Reddy (Visually Challenged), Assistant Manager of SBH (at that time) brought laurels to India by winning the T-20 World Cup for India.

Emotional Bonding: I was there with SBH only for a period 33 months. Still I always had a feeling that I belong to the bank for a pretty long period. The reason is simple. The bank never treated me as an outsider and all staff, wherever I went, accepted me as one among them. The commitment to the bank and the camaraderie exhibited by the staff had no parallels in any other organisation. Long live our cherished memories.

May God bless SBI to continue to excel and improve the market share, which  was 1.58% in our area of operations, to still greater heights.

V.Viswanathan

04^th April 2022

Note: Sathabhishekam is the set of Poojas and rituals that are performed for the couple when the 81st year starts or when 80th year gets completed

SBH 75 - Head Office builing glows with lights

SBH Gunfoundry Builing inaugurated in 1955 by then President Dr.Rajendra Prasad. The branch housed the largest Safe Deposit Locker in India. (Architect: Mr. Mohamed Fiazzudin)