Page 111 - A Banker Down the Rabbit Hole

officials who had visited the borrower and guarantor, got balance
confirmations and also their written assurances to repay shortly. The
present incumbent also had met the borrower and I reproduced the
details of conversation with the borrower. I also wrote the story told by
some people known to the borrower. Then I mentioned how many
notices were issued and finally the legal notice. As a last resort to recover
dues, I had moved proposal to file a civil suit.

Finally, I wrote, "We had done everything possible just short of breaking
his head and getting our head broken by him in retaliation. Please let us
know what other follow up steps should have been taken in addition to
what we have taken."

I felt here that if all the branch managers and field officers have done
everything possible, there was no need of taking up any responsibility
for "lack of follow up for recovery" and I thought it was in order to use
some curt phrases as used above in the letter to Head office to express
our anguish for their charge of non-follow up on us and to drive our point
home.

Perhaps, the particular officer at Head Office had not worked at a branch
and was not well versed with the branch functioning, work pressures and
working conditions at the branches. Against all odds, everything possible
was done to recover the loan. Even the proposal to file suit was a part
of recovery effort only, though as a last resort!

Head Office, surely, could not tell us any other additional legally valid measure
left that could have been taken by us. They sent prompt approval to file the
suit without insisting on fixing of responsibility for poor follow up.

Insights from the episode
Evidence speaks up. Put up your case forcefully with full facts, bosses will
listen.

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108 | A Banker down the Rabbit Hole