Media Release
Udupi, May 27: MCC Bank – Santhekatte branch marked a historic milestone by achieving Rs 10 crore in business turnover within just seven months of its commencement. To commemorate this remarkable achievement, the Branch organised a grand celebration along with distribution of books to schools on May 23, at the Santhekatte branch premises.
The programme was presided over by Sahakara Ratna Anil Lobo, chairman of MCC Bank. The chief guest for the occasion was Fr Henry Mascarenhas, parish priest of St Anne Church, Thottam. Guests of honour included Raymond Walter Crasta, social worker, and Nithin Poojary, director, Kidiyoor Co-operative Society, Kinnimulki. Dr Gerald Pinto, branch support director; Sunil Menezes, general manager; Ajith D’Souza, founder branch manager of Santhekatte branch; and Jyothi Baretto, manager of Santhekatte branch, were present on the dais.
As part of the celebration, a ceremonial cake-cutting was held by ten founder customers of the Santhekatte branch representing the entire customer community, in the presence of the chairman, dignitaries, and branch staff, symbolising the remarkable achievement of Rs 10 crore business turnover within a short span of seven months from the branch’s opening.
On the occasion, the founder customers of Santhekatte branch were felicitated by the chairman, Sahakara Ratna Anil Lobo, in recognition of their trust, encouragement, and foundational support extended to the branch since its inception. The chairman honoured them on behalf of the entire customer community of Santhekatte branch and expressed the bank’s heartfelt gratitude for their continued support, confidence, and commitment towards the growth of MCC Bank.
In his presidential address, the chairman thanked the customers of Santhekatte branch for enabling the branch to achieve a business turnover of Rs 10 crore within a short span of seven months. Referring to the speech delivered by the chief guest, Fr Henry Mascarenhas, the chairman remarked that Fr Henry Mascarenhas had stated that the achievement reflected the trust, confidence, and continued support of the people of the region towards MCC Bank, and that the address meaningfully highlighted the strong bond existing between the bank and the community.
The chairman further stated that when the present management assumed leadership of the bank in 2018, a manifesto had been presented before the members, based on which the directors were elected with the confidence and support of the shareholders. He stated that the management had been able to uphold the trust and expectations of the members and customers through dedicated efforts and professional management.
He stated that though several boards had administered the bank since 2002, significant branch expansion was undertaken only after 2018, following a gap of nearly 16 years. He explained that establishing and expanding a co-operative bank was a challenging task due to the stringent norms and regulations prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India relating to NPA, CRAR, CD ratio, compliance, and financial discipline. He further stated that after complying with the required guidelines, and with the guidance of the management, dedicated efforts of the staff, and continued support of the customers, the bank had successfully increased the number of branches from 16 to 21 within a span of two years.
He further stated that the bank initially had only four branches in Udupi district, which has now increased to eight branches, and that the 9th branch is proposed to be opened at Karapady. He stated that the support and cooperation extended by the people of Udupi district reflected their trust in MCC Bank and their belief that the growth of the bank would also contribute to the growth of the community. He further informed that the bank proposed to increase the number of branches from 21 to 25 and celebrate the opening of the silver jubilee branches. He also briefly explained the locations proposed for the forthcoming branches and sought the continued support of the customers for the future endeavours of the bank.
The chairman stated that every phase of growth and development brought challenges, but the bank had faced such challenges positively and professionally, resulting in remarkable progress. He stated that the bank had achieved a total business turnover of Rs 1,525 crore within seven-and-half years due to the trust and confidence of the customers. He also noted with satisfaction that the newly opened Brahmavar branch had achieved profitability within two years of commencement.
He thanked the landlord of Santhekatte branch for extending support by providing the branch premises and for contributing to the success of the branch. He also conveyed birthday wishes to Dr Gerald Pinto, director, on the occasion of his 69th birthday. The chairman specially appreciated and thanked the founder branch manager of Santhekatte branch, Ajith D’Souza, for his contribution towards achieving the Rs 10 crore milestone, and also encouraged the present branch manager to continue earning the trust of the customers and strive towards achieving the targets of the branch.
In conclusion, he stated that the bank always recognised and honoured customers, children of customers and heads of institutions for their career achievements in order to encourage and motivate them. He further stated that the bank shared a strong bond with its customers, as their trust and support were the foundation for the growth, success, and profitability of the bank.
In his address, Fr Henry Mascarenhas stated that the achievement of Santhekatte branch attaining a business turnover of Rs 10 crore within a short span of seven months was a remarkable milestone and a reflection of the trust and confidence reposed by the customers in MCC Bank. He stated that the achievement was not merely a business figure, but the result of the dedicated efforts, commitment, and firm determination of the management and staff, along with the continued support of the community.
He appreciated the customer-friendly approach and dedicated service rendered by the staff and stated that the employees were working not merely as part of their duty, but with a spirit of service towards society. He further stated that the trust of the customers and the commitment of the staff together contributed to the growth and success of the Bank. He added that faith and trust were the true foundations behind every achievement and success.
He also appreciated the various social initiatives undertaken by the bank, including support to schools and honouring achievers in the community. He stated that the achievement was a victory for the entire society and conveyed his blessings and best wishes for the future growth of the bank. He further expressed hope that the branch would achieve a business turnover of Rs 50 crore in the coming year, adding that the progress of the bank reflected the progress of the society and the nation.
In his address, Nithin Shetty stated that the achievement of Rs 10 crore business turnover was a remarkable milestone for the branch and appreciated the management and staff for their dedicated efforts towards the progress of the bank. He particularly appreciated the service rendered by the staff of Santhekatte branch and stated that the branch was providing prompt and customer-friendly service. He stated that earlier, customers had to wait for 10 to 15 days for loan processing in many institutions for various reasons, whereas at MCC Bank, loan applications were processed within two days. He also appreciated the courteous manner in which customers were treated by the staff.
He further appreciated the bank for organising meaningful programmes such as distribution of books and honouring achievers in the community. He congratulated the bank on the achievement and conveyed his best wishes for its continued growth and success.
During the occasion, the bank felicitated the top-scoring children of customers for their academic excellence in securing 85% and above marks in the board examinations. The details were read out by Sandeep Quadros, senior manager, Kundapur branch.
The bank distributed books to needy students of St Joseph Higher Primary School and St Joseph High School, Kundapura; Stella Maris School, Gangolli; and Nirmala High School, Brahmavar, to support their education. Sports materials were also distributed to Marinol High School, Barkur.
Chairman Sahakara Ratna Anil Lobo also recognised and honoured the branch staff for their relentless efforts towards achieving the milestone.
A separate birthday cake-cutting ceremony was held for branch support director Dr Gerald Pinto, who celebrated his 69th birthday.
As a token of appreciation, mementos were presented to the dignitaries by chairman Sahakara Ratna Anil Lobo in gratitude for their esteemed presence.
The programme commenced with a prayer song rendered by bank staff Manoj Lopes and Aldrin D’Souza.
Branch support director Dr Gerald Pinto welcomed the gathering. Ovin Rebello, branch manager of Brahmavar branch, compered the programme, while Jyothi Baretto, branch manager of Santhekatte branch, proposed the vote of thanks.
Director Elroy K Crasto and Dr Freeda D’Souza were also present on the occasion.