I have been associated with this bank as long as I remember. Both my parents were working in SBT and now they have retired. I have my savings account in this bank since childhood. But this bank also has the dubious reputation of not being responsive to the customers. Why I am saying this is inspite of my dad knowing a lot of people in SBT it took almost a month for my housing loan to get sanctioned. They were asking one paper after another. The thing that irritated me the most was after 3 weeks when I contacted them regarding the status of my loan they said I am yet to submit 1 paper. This they haven’t told me earlier or I would have submitted. By that time the builder was asking for payments. Finally my dad had to run pillar to post to get our loan sanctioned on time. This kind of service irrespective of being a retired SBT senior manager’s daughter. So I don’t know how it will be with people who don’t have any contacts in SBT.
True the delays were really irritating, but still for taking loans I would prefer this bank compared to HDFC and ICICI. Reason being their process is transperant. All the details of the money u need to pay is documented. Though in private banks loans get sanctioned fast if their process is not transperant and there will be hidden charges here and there.
I guess if SBT can improve their customer service. remove the huge paperwork and inordinate delays it will have more customers. People prefer nationalized banks for loans. It is just that the paperwork and delay that is keeping them away. SBT needs to understand this and make improvements in their customer service accordingly. Currently it has the largest number of branches in kerala and wide ATM network. Their rural reach in Kerala is much better than other banks. They need to capitalize on this strength with improved customer service to become a truly a bank of choice.