Page 247 - A Banker Down the Rabbit Hole

70. Negligence by a chain of officers

My title deed of house lost by the Branch
I had raised a home loan when I was posted in another branch and the
original title deed (Registered Sale Deed) of my house was lodged there
as security. I got a full and final settlement letter for this home loan from
my current branch. I went to the concerned earlier branch to collect my
original conveyance deed based on this full and final settlement letter.

I arrived there at 10 am. They offered me proper courtesy and told me
that they will hand over the documents to me within half an hour. But it
was more than 2 hours and the Loan Officer did not return from the
basement where the document safe was located. On enquiry, I was told
that it was taking time to search the title deeds as there was a large
number of such documents lying there. They took me out for lunch and
revealed that the deed was not traceable. I had worked at this branch as
a loan officer on the very first posting after probation period was over.

Then also, in one case, we had to search all loan documents including
even those related to closed loans. The document was found mixed up
with closed loan documents. I told them to try this and I also joined them.
It was past 5.30 p.m. i.e. closing time and documents could not be found.
All involved were old colleagues and I did not feel like complaining to
the higher office to put them into problem. I asked them to give me a
letter signed by Branch Manager and the then Loan Officer jointly sating,
" The home loan has been closed but we are not able to trace the original
title deeds relating to house of the named person deposited with us as
a security for the home loan. As soon as the title deeds would be traced,
the same would be delivered to the named officer."

244 | A Banker down the Rabbit Hole