During this period bank's total business crossed Rs 15,000 crore mark registering a 33 per cent growth. The total business stood at Rs 15,195 crore as on March 1999 compared with Rs 11,383 crore during the corresponding period last year.

The bank's advances grew by 37.69 per cent during the period to Rs 4,767 crore as against Rs 3,462 crore last year. The bank has registered a jump in its priority sector lending by 29 per cent from Rs 1,397 crore last year to Rs 1,800 crore as on March 1999. According to the bank release, in percentage terms, the priority sector advances out of the net bank credit is above the stipulated norm of 40 per cent.

The bank has wiped out accumulated losses worth Rs 243.37 crore and is expected to come outwith a public issue shortly. It is planning to issue a subordinate debt instrument shortly to increase its capital base by Rs 150 crore.

During the period, the bank's investments soared to Rs 4,942 crore against Rs 3,390 crore. "The bank has marked to market 100 per cent of its investments," said a bank release issued recently.

During 1998-99, the bank opened 80 senior citizens counters all over the country for serving elderly customers. For better customer service, the bank has extended business and introduced down to dusk banking in the last one year. This year, the bank plans to open 25 personal banking branches. The bank has got a network of 1005 full fledged branches, 86 extension counters spread over 17 states and two union territories.