Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (EP)

Mumbai, Apr 7: Karnataka state has contributed immensely towards development of the banking industry.  Karnataka is the home of several national, private and cooperative banks.  Though people of a community started those banks, as the time passed by they have improved in leaps and bounds.

Billawara Association sponsored Bharath cooperative bank, Mumbai that was started in Mumbai Fort area has progressed and has fifty five branches after all round development.  Fourteen of those branches are in Karnataka. 

The Reserve bank has granted permission to start branches in eight districts of Gujarat.  Bharath bank is a financial institution that was born after social  ommitment and silent revolution.

The people of Karnataka who migrated to Mumbai have united with the intension of hard work and spirit of sacrifice and have become successful.  After laying foundation stone for Brahmashree Gokarnanatha Mandira at Kudroli in 1908, Mangalore Billawara groups took shape in various places in the area.

Similarly several groups of Billawas combined in Mumbai to form Billawara Association, Mumbai. The association that started in 1932 has progressed along with the unity of the association with the principle of one religion, one principle and one God and formed night school, newspaper, Yakshagana Mandali and cooperative banks.

The cooperative bank had started on August 21, 1978 in Fort area with a share capital of only 6,32,000.  It had five branches between 1978 to 1991.  It is indeed a great achievement to have spread to 50 branches between the next 23 years period under the leadership and guidance of of Jaya C Suvarna.

The bank has been distributing a dividend of 15% to the members and is identified as a strong and viable financial organization by the Reserve bank.

The bank has extended loan to priority sectors and many customers and Kannadigas in particular have been able to make use of the facilities.

The present board of directors consist of Jaya C Suvarna as CEO, Rohini J Salian, deputy CEO, and directors M B Kukyan, Vasudeva R Kotian (former CEO), Pushpalatha N Salian, K Narayana Suvarna, Jaya A Kotian, U Shivaji Poojary, Bhaskar M Salian, Somnath B Amin, Chandrashekar S Poojary, Rohit M Suvarna, Harishchandra G Mulky, Damodar C Kunder, Raghu D Poojary, Koragappa B Poojary, Gangadhar J Poojary, Suryakanth J Suvarna, Ashok M Kotian, Anbalagan C Harijan, Jyothi K Suvarna and C T Salian.

The turnover of the bank has crossed Rs 10,000 crores.  The progress made by the bank is satisfactory and the support of bank's customers and the unity of the management and a spirit of sacrifice of the staff has resulted in the achievement says CEO Jaya C Suvarna.

The board of directors hope to achieve a turnover of Rs 20,000 crores and 100 branches within the next three years.  They have requested for the cooperation from the customers, well wishes and members to achieve the landmark.