The queues outside bank ATMs, 48 hours after Cyclone Gaja hit the Cauvery delta region in Tamil Nadu two weeks ago, revived memories of the days after demonetisation two years ago.

“Use of digital channels has risen exponentially in the last two years, but during times of natural calamity such as Gaja, people are compelled to fall back on hard cash due to power outage,” said Chief Executive of City Union Bank N Kamakodi.

The bank, which has a strong presence in the region, decided to ensure that its network was up and running, so that not only CUB customers but others too could draw cash.

“We introduced ATM vans, which would tour the flood affected areas and serve those in need. Nagapattinam was worst affected and the entire belt went without power for close to a week. We have close to 50 branches in and around Nagapattinam. With the use of generators, we were able to ensure that our systems were up and running from the third day.”

The bank operates six ATM vans, including two in Coimbatore, all of which were deployed in the flood-affected pockets, he said.

“We expanded the ATM network aggressively in the first 3-4 years. Our formula is 1:2.5 (an on-site teller machine attached to each branch plus one or two (off-site) machines in the vicinity. We do not anticipate cutting down our ATM network in the next 2 -3 years,” he said.

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