Page 202 - A Banker Down the Rabbit Hole

interview for promotion or overseas posting, we will be spared very
detailed scrutiny of our knowledge and skills. All of us had our fingers
crossed. The first day, the Chairman had to visit our branch for an hour
to meet and discuss with some difficult borrowers.

The Chairman arrived with the Country Head and held discussion with a
few borrowers whom they had invited for about 45 minutes. Suddenly I
was called into Chief Manager's cabin. The Chairman gave me a stern look
when I introduced myself and sat before him. He asked me what duties
I was performing as second in command of the branch.

I told him, "I am handling half a dozen tasks whole day but I am not
satisfied with my performance outcome as all routine diverse stuff is
taking my entire day. This is not a satisfying output like independent
Export Trade Finance Department or Import trade Finance Department
has. I prefer to head one such department for a sense of fulfilment and
substantial performance."

My reply struck a chord with his line of thinking perhaps, as I saw his
face softening. I immediately asked him, "If you could spare some more
time, I could give some suggestions after what I observed while working
here for the last some months." He immediately got interested in that
conversation and asked me to go ahead.

I told him, "I have observed a strange phenomenon that our Indian banks
in Hong Kong have only ethnic diaspora as their customers whereas
foreign banks in India have accounts of all multinational corporations and
also many Indian companies vie with each other to become their
customers. There are "India Desks" for our Indian customers in Hong Kong
to provide them services related to their banking needs in India. We
should have a "Hong Kong Desk" to attend special needs of local populace
manned by a dedicated Chinese Manager. This will increase the comfort
level of locals while dealing with our Indian Origin bank."

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