‘ಆಮ್ಚೆ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್ ‘ Mangalore Catholic Co-operative Bank Ltd Opens NRE CELL at its Founder’s Branch
‘ಆಮ್ಚೆ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್’ (Our Bank) Mangalore Catholic Co-operative Bank Ltd Opens NRE CELL at its Founder’s Branch, headquartered on St Aloysius College Road/Light House Hill Rd, Mangaluru on Sunday, 6 January 2019.
Mangaluru: The more than a century old Mangalore Catholic Co-operative Bank Ltd, popularly known as MCC Bank, headquartered on the St Aloysius College Road, Hampankatta, Mangaluru- a bank founded by Catholic visionaries of Mangaluru with 16 branches across the undivided Dakshina Kannada District, and Rs: 307.79 Crores in deposits and Rs: 202.24 Crores in advances opened its NRE CELL on Sunday, 6 January 2019 at 10 am at their main branch, located on St Aloysius College Road/LHH Road, Mangaluru.
The NRE CELL was inaugurated and blessed by the Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, which was followed by the inauguration of ATM booth done by the Bishop along with Chief guests namely- James Mendonca- NRI Entrepreneur and Community Leader-Dubai and Joseph Mathias- MD, Merit Freight system Co LLC UAE & Mangaluru; and Guests of honour namely Valentine D’silva and Francis Cutinho, both Former Chairmen of MCC Bank Ltd, Chairman of MCC Bank Ltd Anil Lobo, among many well-wishers.
In the formal function held on the Second Floor of the Founder’s Branch, Chairman of MCC Bank Ltd Anil Lobo in his welcome address also gave a brief description of the Bank saying, ” It was on a rainy day of May 1912, heavy rains of Coastal Mangaluru did not deter the spirits of philanthropist pioneers from their goal of setting this luminous institute to help their less privileged brethren. More than Hundred glorious years the light moves on showing the path to multitudes. Robert Owen is considered as the Father of Cooperative Movement. He thought it fit to start the cooperative societies to fight the dangers and damages of the Industrial Revolution. In 1912 Indian Cooperative Societies Act was amended and the Registrars of the Cooperative Societies were asked to spread the principles of cooperative financing. This brought Dewan Bahadhur Swamikunnu Pillai, the Third Registrar of the Cooperative Societies of the Province of Madras to Mangalore. He addressed the Mangalorean Catholic Gentlemen at then Catholic Union Club (presently Catholic Centre, Hampankatta.)”
“Pushed forward by the motivation and guidance of Dewan Bahadhur Swamikunnu Pillai, 67 generous leaders of the Mangalorean Catholics Joined together and under the leadership of F L Silva, G M Castelino, G A Saldanha, and P D’souza started working for the society. On 8-5-1912 The Mangalorean Catholic Cooperative Society was established. On 9-5-1912 the First General Assembly of the New Society called. The members elected Hon’ble P F X Saldanha as its first President, Simon Alvares as Vice President and J M Castelino as Secretary and Treasurer”, added Lobo.
He further said, “The visionary, philanthropic founders were motivated by the need of the Catholic Community of their times. Agriculture was the major occupation then. The bank went on growing with the growth of its customers. The Mangalore Catholic Cooperative Bank played a major role in the economic prosperity of the Canara catholic community. For over ten decades the bank withstood all its challenges based on the strength it gained by serving the society. And now after 105 years of its existence MCC Bank we have added yet another feather to this Bank’s cap by launching the NRECELL today. On behalf of the Board members, committee members, and Bank staff I extend a warm welcome to this prestigious programme, and also thank you for the support shown towards this Bank”.
The programme was inaugurated by the Bishop along with all the dignitaries on the dais. With the introduction of the Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha who took charge as the Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese by Bank Board member Irene Rebello, the Bishop was felicitated on the occasion for his initiatives on Bandhutva and awareness on Green Environment. Addressing the audience the Bishop said, “In the banking sector, the bank management and staff of the Bank should treat their customers with care, equally and with a broad. Calling the customers by their names and not by saying ‘Hello or Yeh’ is a good character and respect that should be developed by the bank employees”.
Bishop further said, “With the bank existing for nearly 106 years and with over 35,000 members in all its branches, the fraternity of this Bank should try hard to add more customers to its fold, and also convince and communicate with NRI’s when they come down to their hometown, to open their account in this newly launched NRE CELL. While complimenting all the hard work and reaching this Bank to greater heights, I shower my blessings and wish this Bank success in its operations, and prove to be one of the best banks among the rest, which are getting merged, which is not a good thing. My prayers and Best wishes to you all” concluded Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha.
Felicitations were made to the various NRI customers by handing over to them a flower bouquet by the dignitaries on the dais. Chief guests and guests of honours also spoke on the occasion, about the banking industry, and the growth of MCC Bank Ltd, and urged the citizens to support MCCBank which has all the latest banking facilities, with high-interest rates on deposits and low-interest rates on loans. Consulting Engineer for the Bank project Karthik Kiran was felicitated on the occasion by Francis Cutinho, the former chairman of MCC Bank Ltd. Mementos were presented to the dignitaries on the dais by Vice Chairman Jerald D’silva.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Sunil Menezes, the General Manager of the Bank; and the inaugural and blessing part of the ceremony was compered by Andrew D’souza, and the formal function was compered by Anil Patrao, both Directors of the Bank.
Vice President Jerald Jude D’souza- and Directors of MCC Bank Ltd- Dolphy Joseph Patrao , Joseph Anil Patrao , Marcel Mathew D’Souza (Maccha Milar), Elroy Kiran Crasto, Andrew D’Souza, JP Rodrigues, David D’Souza , Herald John Monteiro , Roshan D’Souza , JP Rodrigues, Michael D’souza, PG Pinto, Dr Freeda Flavia D’Souza, and Ms Irene Rebello were present during the occasion.
