Beyond Banking

In coordination with Civil Supplies and the State Government, the bank successfully completed the approved PRS amount distribution for eligible farmers in its allocated area. The bank is proud to have successfully implemented the government’s latest pilot project for PRS distribution through cooperatives.

As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, an oxygen concentrator has been set up within the bank’s working area to support the healthcare needs of the community, particularly during challenging times.

An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that concentrates oxygen from the surrounding air and provides a steady supply to people who require supplemental oxygen therapy because of respiratory conditions or other health concerns. This initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to giving back to the community and making a positive impact on the lives of local people.

The bank consistently strives to deliver diverse services every year. One notable initiative was the provision of drinking water for birds and other living creatures during the intense summer months. Water was placed in bird-friendly receptacles at all branch premises, offering much-needed relief.

As part of its social responsibility initiative, a 10,000-litre water tank was also installed to ensure a steady and reliable supply of clean water to the community.

The bank provides many services that benefit farmers. Farmers were introduced to modern farming methods, and a farmers’ seminar together with an exhibition of farm implements was organised on the occasion of Farmers’ Day. Farmers who continue to use traditional farming methods were also honoured.

Every year on Environment Day, in addition to government-sponsored tree saplings, more than 2,000 fruit-tree saplings of different varieties are distributed free of cost in collaboration with the Forest Department. Trees planted by the bank ten years ago now provide shade at hospitals and along roadsides in Ambalapara.

Along with financial and technical support and services, the bank lovingly serves tea every day to customers who visit the branch. This initiative helps the bank treat customers like family. Even though it is only a cup of tea, it has greatly strengthened relationships and communication while creating a friendlier atmosphere than a conventional banking visit.

During summer, drinking water is supplied daily through the government’s Thaneerpandhal scheme to help people cope with extreme heat. Many members of the public benefit from this initiative. Water is also supplied to areas facing shortages through two large water tanks.

The Ambalapara Service Co-operative Bank launched its own mobile banking application, MY BANK, on 21 June 2016. It was the first service cooperative bank in Ottapalam Taluk to introduce a mobile application.

The application offers prepaid and postpaid mobile recharge, electricity-bill payment, DTH recharge and electronic fund transfers including EFT, RTGS and IMPS. Customers can also start Fixed Deposits and Recurring Deposits from home without visiting a branch. The app is available on Google Play, has a four-star rating and is approximately 31.15 MB in size.

The bank’s mobile application includes a QR code scanner for quick and secure payments, making transactions more convenient for customers.

In collaboration with ICICI Bank through the Eazypay application, the bank also provides a separate QR-code facility. This allows even people who have not installed the bank’s app, including non-customers, to make payments by scanning a QR code. The feature has been well received and has contributed to the growth of digital transactions.

As part of the bank’s effort to promote digital payments across different sectors, QR codes have been provided to local establishments and temples so that devotees can make donations and payments easily. Sree Panayurkavur Bhagavathi Temple and Kizhur Kaali Kaavu Bhagavathi Temple are among those using the bank’s scanners.