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TO ALL MEMBERSCIRCULAR NO. 38/2016 DATE: 09/09/2016

Dear Member,

Finacle – A new born baby in Corp Bank albeit with delivery painIt has been a long wait; the Corp Bankers were eagerly looking for the change of CBS platform. The change of platform from old DOS based software, supported by Polaris (earlier Laser Soft), to the Windows based Finacle software is not due to any difficulty in working in the present platform, but keeping in mind the limited service reliability on COBOL based program. In fact the senior staff members are happier to continue with the present software, instead of switching over. But looking at the uncertainties in the present software and to keep in sync with changing technology environment, the transformation was decided long back; but execution was prolonged for years due to various reasons. Now at last, 20 branches are working on Finacle based software, including Kottara (Exclusive Finacle branch) and Kulur (first Finacle converted branch). A day after celebrating county’s 70th Independence Day, on 16.08.2016, chosen 18 branches were migrated from old software to Finacle, an Infosys developed banking software version. As informed earlier, M/s. Wipro have undertaken this project.

The branches which have switched over to Finacle have been facing a lot of problems. The ZCC people deputed from all over India to these 18 branches have been supervising the migration. The staff members in branches as well as migration Supervisors along with the New Core Team at Car Street, Mangalore (PMO) have been burning midnight oil for weeks. We understand that even now the struggle is going on. The office-bearers of CBOO had visited several of these branches - to understand the problems as also to give the staff the moral support.

The wrath of the customers is expectedly felt in these Branches. The problems in remittances, getting the Statement of Account and Pass Books, pendencies in clearing and collections – all have affected the customer service as never before. The officers including Branch Heads have been facing toughest challenge in convincing the irate customers.

The staff in branches, who were working hitherto on DOS based program with the help of ready to use and easier Menu, find it difficult to use the mouse (switch over to Windows based program). It is natural to undergo pain/difficulty when we go for a change. We must appreciate the commitment and perseverance of these colleagues of ours, suffering the pains of transformation.

There is a feeling that the pain could have been reduced, if Wipro planned it properly and implemented the project more systematically. The migration Supervisors were left in lurch, when people sitting at Help Desk of Wipro could not do anything than asking for name, E No., branch code and repeated mailing of screen shot. Many of the applications available were not enabled until the branches reported non-availability of options. More importantly, Wipro has deputed inexperienced and outsourced persons to handhold the branch employees which is deplorable. This has only compounded the woes of our branches.

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Phone EB SS KBP BS PVP DBP YS SPR SGC (O) 2861615 2861678 2410009 2442942 2861837 2410009 2861431 2861488 2861325 (R) 2211097 –– 2241311 --- .... 9886649849 2443700 9481843186 9567761988 (Mob) 92433 17217 9591890985 9535557433 9940924454 9900628137 9902066130 9448974990 9844218283 8547341988 CBOO Central Office : 0824 - 2422 712, 2422 501 Fax: 0824 - 2422 129 CBOO CENTRE: 2493 698 E-mail : cbooco@gmail.com Website: www.cboo.org

The non-cooperation by Polaris is also quoted as a reason for plethora of problems. The lack of understanding (read monetary consideration) among the two has put Wipro in difficulty and Bank into problems and delay.

In the entire process, the controlling offices concerned should have stood by the branches and encouraged them to complete the task. We understand that few zonal administrations had not even visited the relevant branches; leave alone the moral support. When the customers were complaining because of the inconvenience caused due to disruption in service, the support of controlling office would have been of a great relief to these branches.

Looking forward, we need to do the following:

a. The process of transformation in the 18/19 Branches needs to be fully accomplished as early as possible so that the employees can breathe with a happy note.

b. The Bank needs to reach out to the customers in explaining the migration problems and advantages of the new system and continuation of best services in the changed software environment.

c. The New Core Team (PMO) and IT Division need the support of every one of us from bottom to top – oral, moral and of every type.

d. The sufferings of the staff members of these 18 branches shall not repeat in other branches, when they will migrate. The shortcomings in these branches shall be attended to before further transformation.

(We understand that the Bank has taken a decision that until the branches which have switched over to Finacle now are fully stabilized, no further migration will take place. This is a welcome decision).

e. Due to the new environment, pendencies have affected balances, NPA position, pending account debits (esp. ATM transactions) and pending credits of remittances etc. These shall not lead to accountability upon the today’s struggling staff at a future date.

The Team at New Core Center (PMO) is trying to extend all the help despite being sand-witched between Wipro and Polaris. The new born (though with much labour, pain and sufferings) is a promise for future; it will bring prosperity to Bank despite teething troubles. It is time for all of us to salute the Core Team and staff of these branches and say ‘kudos’ to all those who are a part in this journey, full of struggles.

With Greetings,

(SATISH SHETTY) GENERAL SECRETARY