Photo: Prakhar Pandey
The Sarv Haryana Gramin Bank (SHGB), which is one of the largest rural banks in the State of Haryana, is working hard at positioning itself as a full-fledged commercial bank that is not Only serving the customers in rural areas, but also making available complex commercial products to potential customers at very attractive rates of interest. Pravin Jain, Chairman and CEO of SHGB, headquartered at Rohtak, asserts that their main focus would be expand retail loans across the State, and to reach every customer who has the need for a loan. The agenda of the bank is ‘Samagra Gramin vikas se Sampoorna Haryana vikas tak’. Jain says that all efforts are being made to become a reliable and committed partner in the development of this region. "The rate of interest for home loans offered by us is the lowest in the country, and a large number of companies in Gurgaon avail loan facilities from us," says Jain. He asserts that the retail portfolio of the Bank will increase rapidly, as it is the most important asset class for the organisation. The Bank has also created a modern ‘housing hub’ in its regional office in Gurgaon, where one of the brightest officers has been appointed, to deal with housing loans in an expeditious manner. The Chairman says that their approach is that the customers should not have to go to middlemen to get loans, but directly meet the bank managers and other officials, so that all the dealings happen in a transparent manner. Jain also says that Sarv Haryana Gramin Bank is the only bank in the State that is efficiently serving the ‘sub-service’ area, has launched a mega programme to spread financial literacy, has opened bank accounts for weaker sections, and is offering micro insurance and micro pension to its customers. "’NPS Lite’ is a pension scheme that has been launched for the weaker sections and for all workers in the unorganised sector, who have no social security benefits" he asserts. The Bank has also launched a big marketing and communication campaign, to help it spread its reach. "We are the largest bank in the State, with 582 branches, and have the highest per employee productivity. Our Bank is also educating customers in rural areas on the need to adhere to financial discipline, so that they can avail loans and other benefits without any hassles," asserts the Chairman. Jain says that farming is a good, viable business for the people of Haryana, and suggests to landowners that they should work hard and avail the agricultural services being offered by the Bank, which will help them boost their income. Since Haryana also has many Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the Bank is offering them loans liberally, thus contributing to the prosperity of industry and commerce in the State. Jain adds that they offer the lowest interest rate for the Dairy industry, which is ideal for many in the South Haryana region, where the Dairy industry hasa readymade market. The Bank is also financing poly-houses, mushroom farming and other agricultural operations. It has also launched Kisan Credit Cards for the farmers, and these have already been issued in large numbers. The Chairman says that bank loans are given to all categories, depending on their credit score and financial ability. "Our customers are not bogged down in red tape; in fact many get ‘genuine’ personalised attention even by the bank managers," he asserts. Jain says that the Bank has also been focusing on inclusive banking, and that is why it has a large network of branches in Mewat region, apart from other rural areas of Haryana. SHGB has also worked hard to ensure the success of the Prime Minister’s Jan Dhan Yojana, by which a large number of people from the weaker sections of society were able to open bank accounts. Infact Jain says that that has SHGB has processed the maximum number of cases. Jain believes that the economy will revive under the new government at the Centre and in the State, as it seems that a more honest, transparent and accountable administration has been and will be in force. "We also hope that populist measures, and the waiving of bank loans, should stop, as these steps impact the health of the financial system – and recovery from that is never easy. The loan waivers in the past have badly affected the banking system, and the rural banks in particular have been badly hit", asserts the SHGB Chairman. Jain urges all customers to come visit Sarva Haryana Gramin Bank and avail loans and multiple other facilities; he promises that they will be well served.
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