Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka congratulated India’s second-largest public sector bank, Bank of Baroda, on its 117th anniversary at Suva’s Kshatriya Hall earlier this evening.
The theme of this year’s anniversary, “Trusted Today, Transforming Tomorrow,” encapsulates the bank’s vision of becoming a world-class financial institution built on over a century of customer trust.
“The Bank has a strong international presence with a network across 17 countries. It has a rich legacy of 117 years that has stayed ahead of the curve by embracing innovation and constantly reinventing itself to earn the trust and patronage of its customers and other key stakeholders,” remarked the PM.
“Our celebration, must begin by honoring the founder of Bank of Baroda, Maharaj Sayajirao, who on July 20, 1908, established a bank with a vision to be a beneficial agency for lending, transmission, and deposit of money, and a powerful factor in the development of art, industries, and commerce of Baroda and adjoining territories.”
PM Rabuka commended the dedication and hard work of the bank's employees, which have earned the institution a global reputation for excellence and trust.
From its humble beginnings in Mandvi, Gujerat in 1908, the Bank of Baroda has grown to become the second-largest public sector bank in India with a significant international presence across 17 countries.
The Bank serves a global customer base of about 165 million through over 70,000 touch points spread across 17 countries in five continents, through its various digital banking platforms, which provide all banking products and services in a seamless and hassle-free manner.
“Turning to our local scene, we cannot overlook the contribution of the Bank of Baroda in the economic and social development of our country over the last 63 years,” PM Rabuka asserted.
“The Bank of Baroda commenced operations in Fiji on July 5, 1961 and has been here 63 years, serving customers faithfully, with its head office in Suva and eight branches across the country.”
The bank’s Fiji operations have a customer base of more than 100,000.
In line with the Coalition Government’s reforms, Prime Minister Rabuka announced the recent approval for the establishment of a Banking Ombudsman, a mechanism voluntarily agreed upon by commercial banks to enhance customer service and resolve disputes.
At the same time, he also commended the Bank’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
As part of the celebration, the bank donated wheelchairs to the CWM Hospital, planted mangrove seedlings along Nasese, as well as organized a walkathon last week.
“To conclude ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to have an institution like the Bank of Baroda with extensive global knowledge, skills, and experience being an active partner and investor in Fiji,” said PM Rabuka.