IN the early 1900s visionary, Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad III supported an idea of setting up a commercial bank in India. Putting this profound idea into reality took a lot of work. While everyone else was growing with life’s daily lessons, Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad IIIs’ thoughts flirted with future prospects of a commercial bank in his mother country.
He strongly believed that a bank of this nature would prove to be a beneficial agency for lending, transmission and deposit of money and a powerful factor in the development of the art, industries and commerce of the State and adjoining territories.
Bank of Baroda (BoB) was established on 20th July 1908 in the princely state of Baroda and from then on the reign of his legacy grew helping more and more people. Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad IIIs’ dream grew over the decades as a large international bank with more than 5436 branches in India with 10520 ATMs supported by self-service channels. The bank is the second largest public sector bank in India with 52,420 employee and more than 71 million customer base.
Unlike other state-owned banks, Baroda could maintain its unique identity and established a strong national presence even before independence, to all corners of the country.
By the end of the World War II Bank of Baroda had established sound banking relationship with intuitions in several countries including a presence in major financial centres including New York, London, Brussels, Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore . BoB opened the first overseas branch in Mombassa, Kenya in 1953. The journey of opening of branches continued and by now the bank has a significant international presence with a network of 107 branches/offices subsidiaries, spanning 24 countries. Now Bank is stepping into the 110th year of serving people with commitment, trust and integrity.
The Bank continuously attempts to adapt to the dynamic economic environment, while engaging in the long term relationships to provide superior customer services ,which offers the key advantage to its customers, among many others.
In its endeavour to offer more innovative products and services to customers, Bank of Baroda has started mobile-banking services, Remittance to India through its ATMs for easy, instant and hassle free remittance, M Pass Book Mobile App to generate account statement. The Bank has been awarded Amity Corporate Excellence Award for being the first bank to launch Digital Portal Branch. Bank has also won the SKOCH Plantinum award for Digital portal Branch & Top Position in Mobile IMPS transaction among public sector Banks in India.
Bank of Baroda Fiji profile:
Bank of Baroda in Fiji has been in operation since 5th July 1961 with opening of its first branch at Mark St in Suva. Now Bank of Baroda continues to grow in Fiji with the support and bonding of its 95,727 customer base having provided uninterrupted/ unhindered service to them for more than 56 years.
To cater to its varied clientele base across Fiji, the bank has opened eight branches covering all major centres at Suva, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Nausori, Labasa, Sigatoka and Rakiraki. Bank of Baroda has further plans for expansion and is exploring the feasibility for opening new branches in Fiji. Bank’s Fiji operation is manned by 148 dedicated and committed staff members that include nine India based offers including chief executive.
The bank has a sound IT platform to serve the customers and their requirements. All eight branches are on core banking platform with on-site ATMs. To add to these eight on-site ATMs there are nine more off-site ATMs and Bank also extends to its customers EFTPOS facility in technical collaboration with Bank of South Pacific (BSP). Now the bank has implemented mobile-banking services, Remittance to India through its ATMs and Internet banking for easy, instant and hassle free remittance, M Pass Book Mobile App to generate account statement in Fiji.
In the 56 years of operation, BoB has provided affordable banking services, participated in the social-economic development by extending credit to large business houses, microfinance entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises (SME), retail, trading, manufacturing units, agriculture based activities, allied activities such as fisheries, dairy, poultry etc. The bank is also providing micro finance and financial literacy programs under the guidance of Reserve Bank of Fiji/Government of Fiji to the poor sections of the society.
Apart from meeting the financial needs of its customers and stakeholders, bank has been equally instrumental in fulfilling its social responsibility towards the people of Fiji. Donation to Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, Ramkrishna Mission, Fiji Shevashram and to other NGOs engaged in relief for WC affected people in the past, sponsorship for fund raising for Cancer Society of Fiji, rugby seven’s team, global policy forum, financial inclusion, contribution to orphanages/hospitals/ old people’s home/schools, sponsoring various socio- economic events, Hibiscus Festival, International Yoga Day etc are some of the highlights of this year’s contribution. In connection to banks 110th Foundation Day celebration, the bank branches at various centres organised farmers meet at Sigatoka, blood donation camps at Labasa and Rakiraki, distribution of T-shirts to blind school students at Fiji Society for the Blind, lunch and gift packets to Lautoka Sunshine Special School for Special Children, blanket, bedsheet, towel, umbrella, food items to Samabula Senior Citizens home and food items to needs children at Loloma Home.
Bank officials have been actively participating in various functions organised by the Indian High Commission. Our officials were part of the selected group who rendered their services during 100 years Girmit Day celebration, Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation conference and International Yoga Day. IBOs were felicitated by the Indian High Commissioner to Fiji for the same time to time.
Mission statement:
To be a top ranking national bank of international standards committed to augmenting stakeholders’ value through concern, care and competence.
