Berhampur, May 14: Berhampur Co-operative Central Bank, which has been operating in Ganjam and Gajapati districts, plans to expand its ATM service to provide better service to its customers.
The co-operative bank, which was established in 1916, is going to observe its centenary this year.
"We opened the first ATM kiosk of any co-operative bank in the state in our headquarters complex in Berhampur last September. We are opening one ATM at Paralakhemundi branch on May 18, while another three ATM kiosks will be set up in Patrapur, Rambha and Purushottampur during the next three months," bank president Alekh Chowdhury said today.
The construction of the buildings for the ATMs in the three areas has already been completed, he said.
Chowdhury said that the bank spent Rs 10 lakh to open an ATM kiosk.
The co-operative bank's chief executive officer Ajit Kumar Patnaik said the bank planned to open ATM kiosks at its 23 branch offices shortly.
"We have provided ATM cards to our 36,000 eligible customers in Ganjam, who have already complied with our know your customer (KYC) requirements. All our customers can withdraw money from any of the 2.40 lakh ATM counters of private/commercial and other co-operative banks throughout the country. We are loading Rs 1 lakh daily in the ATMs," Patnaik said.
Chowdhury said two other co-operative banks in the state, the Angul United Central Co-operative Bank and Khurda Central Cooperative Bank, have followed their footsteps by extending ATM facilities to their customers.
"Both of these banks have opened one ATM each in their respective areas. But, we have surged ahead. Our bank will have five ATM kiosks by the end of the year. We will opt for more ATM kiosks to serve the customers better if the financial position permits us," he said.
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development awarded Berhampur Co-operative Central Bank A-Class gradation recently. It will also computerise its 23 branches within the next two months.
It has also introduced a mobile banking unit called Bank on Wheel in R Udayagiri, which is providing banking services in the interior areas.
