It is meant to be different from any banking experience so far. Recently, Standard Chartered Bank inaugurated its refurbished consumer banking branch in Mumbai, which is housed in one of the city's award-winning heritage structures. The exterior of the building situated on M G Road has been preserved in its original form, but minor alterations have been made to the interior in order to facilitate the working of the bank.Stanchart came into being when The Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, merged with the Standard Bank of South Africa. It is interesting to note that when Rabindranath Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913, the draft representing the prize money was drawn on the Chartered Bank. The bank had the rare fortune of handing over the draft to him.
In 1946, the Khoja Ismaili sect of Muslims wanted to weigh their spiritual head, the Aga Khan, in diamonds at a glittering function in Mumbai. Again, it was the Chartered Bank in London that was asked to consult with theBritish and Indian governments about the shipment. The diamonds were lodged in the Bombay strongroom of the bank before the Aga Khan was weighed against them.
All this was probably what made Sharat Anand, deputy chief executive and treasurer, Stanchart India, say, ``This building is another example of the bank's long-standing relationship with India's history and its continued commitment to the country's financial sector.''
This 1906 structure was designed by architect Frederick William Stevens and his son Charles. The latter was responsible for creating two landmark heritage structures in the city, namely CST railway station (formerly Victoria Terminus) and the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. The three-storey building housing Stanchart is constructed with yellow sandstone blocks that are rectangular in shape. These are supplemented by Porbandar stone, and stucco plaster work has been used to detail the architecture around the doors and windows. Apparently, the Royal Opera House building in Mumbai wasinspired by this structure.
Meanwhile, Stanchart has planned special heritage tours and a unique promotional campaign to coincide with the opening of its new branch. It will arrange talks by specialists in the field of personal investment. Also, over 10,000 randomly selected residents of Mumbai will be sent mailers with swipe cards. Customers can use these cards to open a treasure chest containing special gifts that has been placed in the premises.
Even otherwise, the pristine, well-lit banking area, the small ivory-coloured balconies overlooking it, and the chandeliers which seem to have come out of a film set, are sure to make customers want to linger. It's a pity the bank works fast.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.