Applied for Loan and got a Friend Free!. Review on State Bank Of India

There are many reviews due from me to share my experiences with you on banks, restaurants, picnics, trekking, gadgets and few brands. Here we go with SBI First. Like millions in this country I was trying to escape the clutches of modern day sahukars (money lenders) - yes, the notorious ICICI bank.Their slogan is very apt indeed, " Choti Choti baaten hamesha choti nahi hoti", what they actually mean is you will pay heavy price for negligible things.

Alright, I know you are by now you are thinking this is supposed to be SBI's  review and honestly friend, yes it is.Its a matter of another review to write on ICICI and I will stick to SBI in this review.But you know now what pulled me to SBI. I was trying to transfer my housing loan to  SBI and in concern to that I visited to SBI East street branch Pune.Before entering, I expected the environment to be some thing like  this. An old man is sitting in his chair and equally old fan is hanging (hardly) to the ceiling making gunshots like sound. I go near to him and he yells at me this is not fish market to crowd here, sit there and I will call you if banking timings are not over.If they are over then you have to come tomorrow and  I cant do anything about it.After all he wants to convey that you are unwelcome here.

And with that thoughts I stepped in SBI and was shocked, yes shockingly woke up to the reality.It was not an "grand old SBI' that I had thought, it had shed it skin like the snake does and was donning brand new looks. And there I was.Though not unfamiliar to modern looks of SBI, I had no real experience of its service and with my stepping here my myth and prejudice was being broken one by one.The young Sales Manager (lets call him Mr.S to protect his privacy)  was kind enough to offer me a seat and being nth customer in a day, he was never tired of explaing me entire procedure and documentation.

Let me admit,  the documentation of SBI is tedious and they do not compromise on it unlike private banks.The process to get loan is cumbersome.When I walked out of bank I was happy that I found someone very helpful but was also dejected about the documentation and entire process.I stopped for a while and spent a couple of days thinking on it. But somehow I had made up my mind to end relationship with ICICI and hence decided in favour of SBI despite of its uphill task  to  procure loan. I was interacting with Mr.S and with my every visit to SBI we came closer  and closer and after a very long  process and wait, my loan was sactioned and disbursed but at the end of it not only I got loan but a good friend for life.Even now I visit bank regularly although I dont have any work in particular, I catch up with my friend, we have cup of tea and share joys and sorrows of our lives.

Finally coming to something that matters to the readers: my verdict on SBI. My verdict is neutral.The grand old bank might come accross to you in different experiences.I cannot say in particular weather it is good bank or bad bank, it depends on your individual experience but what I know for sure is, you gift yourself peace of mind when you bank with SBI but you have to learn to live with slow service.

I would rather suggest to invest some time in beginning for peace of mind later instead of going to private banks and experiencing the opposite.

Love and Regards to MSians,

your friend Ajeet