GTB clients angry at RBI''s sudden move

By Our Banking Bureau | 26 Jul 2004

Mumbai: Depositors who queued up at a GTB branch at Churchgate on Sunday morning to withdraw the maximum Rs 10,000 allowed per account were livid with the government's sudden action. Among them were small businessmen, housewives, employees, and even domestic servants who work for the elites in the posh Churchgate area.

While businessmen were wailing over their current and demat accounts, rich neighbourhood women were worried about their jewels in the bank's lockers, a newspaper boy was anxious to know the fate of his meagre monthly recurring deposit.

This GTB branch, one of the 23 in Mumbai, which operates on Sunday also, was known for its prime location and excellent service. But the sudden decision of RBI has left customers virtually stranded on the vast street, outside the branch.

"The Reserve Bank of India is the culprit. They RBI should have warned us if the bank was in trouble. Their people were on the bank's board. What have they been doing all these time, asked an angry depositor.:

Almost all the GTB customers whom this correspondent talked to were praising the bank's customer service.