Creation of more zones was a strategic decision: Chairman

Development of financial institutions involves a continuing progression of expansion and consolidation of its infra structure. The entire process of our growth and evolution as a bank however remains grounded in our core mission of ‘serving-to-empower' people of this state.

J&K Bank Chairman and CEO Mushtaq Ahmad said this today at a customer-meet after inaugurating the bank’s Zonal Office Complex for Kashmir South (II) near K P Road Anantnag in presence of DDC Anantnag Munir-ul-Islam and Bank’s Executive Presidents Parvez Ahmad, Abdul Rauf besides Senior President M S Wani, Zonal Heads, South Kashmir, Mohammad Maqbool & Fayaz Siddiqui and other senior officers of the bank and district administration. Representatives from various trade bodies and associations were also present on the occasion.

“Creation of more zones like this one was a strategic decision to align our operational structure with the convenience of our people across the state. The plan was to streamline our business further besides providing hassle free services to our growing clientele across the state. And I hope all this would lead to further improvement in our services delivery mechanism which remains a constant focus of our decision making process”, he added.

Besides, Chairman Mushtaq Ahmad provided a brief overview of the bank’s progress in business, infra structure and human resource since 2010.

Speaking on the occasion, DDC Anantnag thanked the bank management for meeting the genuine demand of the people. He also congratulated the people for getting the bank’s zonal office, which he said would go a long way in making their businesses better and their interaction with the bank convenient.

During the customer meet Zonal Head Fayaz Ahmad Siddiqui apprised the Chairman of the current business status in the zone.

He said, “The new zone comprising of Anantnag and Kulgam districts has total advances of Rs 2118.55 Cr with 72.64 pc of these lent to priority sector as against the total deposits of Rs 3207.87 Cr. The zone has CD Ratio of 72.95 pc which is among the highest in the state.”

“The zone has 80 business units and 86 ATMs with a standing approval for opening of 15 more business units in the zone”, he said.

The customer meet witnessed a healthy interaction wherein a trader’s body head Ashiq Ahmad Bhat extended gratitude towards the bank management for creation of the zone and the subsequent inauguration of the zonal office.

“We are thankful to you for this because it has literally brought the bank to our doorstep as we always demanded a closer access and interaction with the bank authorities for the issues concerning our business and banking services”, he said.

Responding to the customers’ demand for a ladies’ counters at the business units in the zone, Chairman agreed in principle to provide such counters shortly.

The customers present on the occasion hailed the bank’s progress under the Chairman’s leadership and wished the bank to achieve newer heights in the coming times.

Notably the state-of-the-art building is four storied and houses different departments of the zonal office equipped with high-tech infrastructure and topped by a spacious conference-hall.