Happy birthday BOC
It is with great pride that I read an advertorial in the Sunday Times recently which said the Bank of Ceylon(BOC) has earned global recognition as one of the top 1000 banks in the world, as listed in the Bankers Magazine in 2012 and 2013, respectively. This mighty giant’s strength is proved in the support it has extended to the development projects of the Government. To name a few, the road development projects, clean water generation project, power and energy sector and tourism sector.
As a modest but steadfast customer of BOC for a few decades, I feel elated and exuberantly happy to learn that it has successfully completed 75 years of existence. That’s my personal opinion and feeling for which I have a special reason.
I was born on August 30, 1939. It’s the same month and year the BOC was started (I am not sure of the date), established in 1939, exclusively for the elite in the capital city. It seemed then, to be an unrealistic dream for the middle-class social strata comprising mainly of public servants, to be customers. When the BOC matured diligently and opened branches in the rural areas, it turned out to be a stark reality and not a dream anymore. In the early 1970s, a period of strict austerity, I opened a savings account in the Matale BOC determined to save a few rupees from my meagre salary of three figures as a teacher. I never had a fat balance, yet when in financial crisis; it was the BOC with a proud heritage in customer centricity that helped me promptly with loans. I still draw my modest pension from the BOC.
All in all I wish to extend my good wishes to the bank which celebrates its 75th anniversary in August. I assume that even among those who are committed to patronise the BOC there would only be a few who enjoy the privilege of being born in August 1939. So why not consider these loyal customers, equally aged, to be appreciated at its Diamond Jubilee celebrations! Every human being likes to be valued and appreciated. It boosts the morale and well-being of a “Retiree” past the “Expiry Date” (The present life expectancy is 74.3), in the twilight of a receding life. Long live BOC Matale!
Upendra Bandaranayake
Matale