With You All The Way

A Transformative Story



BACKGROUND:

NAME: Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht

(Cell No. 9425913710)

(e-mail – jagat.bisht@sbi.co.in)

DESIGNATION THEN:  BM of Waidhan Branch
PERIOD: 1992 to 1994
DESIGNATION NOW: AGM, SBLC, Indore.

PLACE: Tehsil headquarter, Singrauli, SADA, then.

Northern Coal Fields and NTPC were the major projects.

Presently it is a District Headquarter.

OTHER INFORMATION: Joined as P.O. (1979) in Bhopal Circle. He is very creative, has a flair for writing and has made valuable contributions in newspapers and magazines. He has a few books to his credit as on date.



THE INITIAL STATE


• Waidhan Branch was fraud prone, involving staff members. The image of the branch was bad. Though BM is an important figure in the area, the Collector totally ignored the branch and the BM.

• A great divide was visible among the local people, of haves and have-nots.

• The branch’s was remotely located.

• At a distance, there was a hundred meter barrack which had rooms with toilets where the BM and the staff resided, which was the only place of ‘comfort’.

• The branch had liberally and negligently distributed loans to migrant workers on a large scale, who later absconded and at a time as much as 642 A/Cs were transferred to PB/RD accounts.

• There appeared to be no scope for business and the staff were required to post about 600-700 vouchers per day, as their routine work.

• Bank customers, business and profits, totally neglected.

• Housekeeping in doldrums.

• Recovery efforts nil.

• Staff habitual of leave.




POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS

• Bank’s image was uppermost in the mind of Mr. Bisht who immediately worked on it and introduced measures that brought all the communities in the area closer. Relationship banking at its best was introduced and effectively put into action.



• An industrial unit’s meet was organized where the problem of fund shortage was addressed. Appraisals were carried out, needs defined and funds disbursed which enabled the owners to add plant and machinery to their projects and put additional units in the area.



• Recovery efforts were effective. Balance Sheet cleaned up.



• Welfare activities were done frequently, with zeal and compassion. Eye camps held used to register more than 200 people availing the free services. People related with gratitude towards the branch.



• All professionals and others from NTPC/ NCL/ BANKS/ FIs/ Colleges/etc. were invited for cricket matches and other sports activities which became a common ground for knowing each other and building bonds for mutual help and growth.



• Lion’s Club, Leo Club, Lioness Club were formed in the area. Mr.Bisht was the Charter President of Lion’s Club who could bring more than 60 reputed people as members into its fold. Business meetings and welfare activities became part of the agenda of the Clubs.



• Anand Mela was held periodically, where the entire community would participate, where a feeling of belongingness and image building for the branch would take place.



• Contractors who had to wait for days together to realise their cheques were targeted and accounts were opened where DDP facility was provided to them and instant credit was made available. An effective follow up of these entries ensured no long outstandings in the Bank’s books. Deposit accounts multiplied and profits increased, as income by way of commission shot up.



• The Collector, who earlier had scant respect for the then BM and the branch, gave huge deposits and used to take keen interest in the Bank’s activities in the area.



• Religious ceremonies and talks were sponsored by the branch and people gathered in large numbers. The branch and its staff became approachable to the general public. Product knowledge was disseminated.



• Housekeeping, staff availability, work culture drastically improved.



• Business and profits increased three folds.





REALIZED END STATE


CUSTOMER WINS



WITH YOU ALL THE WAY- was put into effect, where the communities as a whole through various activities of the branch, could feel the presence of the Bank in their life. This bonding led to a rich social life, built trust and greatly added to the business and profits of the branch. Image of the branch and thereby the Bank grew in leaps and bounds.

Mr. Bisht is still remembered by the general public in the area after the lapse of nearly 15 years.

Industrialists, contractors, professionals greatly benefited from the branch where facilities as per their needs were provided and services were quick and effective.



The common man also had his share of entertainment, social life and an account with SBI.



Industries multiplied, using finance from the branch and as such infrastructure in the area, employment and standard of living of the general public was improved.


BANK WINS


Advances and deposits grew.
Profits tripled.
Industrialist, contractors and other professionals became regular customers of the branch

Trust and loyalty commanded.
Image improved tremendously.
Branch became the Banker to every Indian.



SUSTAINABILITY DYNAMIC

Steady business growth due to increased industrialization, being financed by the branch, with the common man and the branch’s image in mind, the process of multiplying profit with growth is on. The social network created brought communities closer and branch has been able to reach out to the masses, by being easily approachable and conscious of the common man’s welfare. Trust and loyalty keeps business going.