Mangalore: It looks as if only yesterday, but really about 80 years ago on 23-10-1931 the present nationalized Vijaya Bank (of the Bunts) was founded at the Jyothi (talkies) circle in a seven-storeyed building, by Attavara Balkrishna Shetty (Health Minister in Madras Presidency rule) and Mulky Sunderarama Shetty (who took the HO to Bangalore cantonment at Trinity circle in a ten storeyed building), and raised its level from ‘D’ to ‘A’ grade Bank.
The Founders Day to remember them, was held at the original main office near Jyothi circle today Morning. It may be noted that this Bank has earned Rs. 144 crores in the second quarter of 2010. MCC Commissioner Dr. Vijay Prakash and a director of the Bank, B. Ibrahim, garlanded the photos of the Founders and paid tributes to their memory.

Dr. Vijay Prakash, speaking on the occasion, informed the gathering that this Bank had contributed a lot to the port city’s development, and assisted the city corporation to a great extent. He wanted the Bank to serve rural parts of the state more than ever to make them turn the corner and help villagers to reach self sufficiency. He had no doubt about the bank’s capacity to be useful to rural folks as also to urban citizens in Karnataka and beyond.

DyGM of the Bank, Harindranath Shetty and Umanath, besides officials and directors were present on the memorable occasion. Harindranath earlier welcomed the gathering, and Parthasarathy proposed a vote of thanks later on.