Letters: In defence of small banks

This refers to the report "What's so special in officers of govt-run Dena Bank?" (October 7). The selection of more executive directors from Bank of Baroda, Allahabad Bank and Dena Bank in the last five years is because of the fast-track promotion policy in these banks. A general manager (GM) with a minimum seniority of two years and three years of remaining service is eligible for the selection process for executive director. In other banks, fewer GMs were eligible for selection because of delayed promotions. The writer's contention that officers from small banks are less competent than officers from large banks is incorrect. K R Kamath, the chairman & managing director (CMD) of Punjab National Bank (PNB), M D Mallya, former CMD of the Bank of Baroda, M V Nair, former CMD of Union Bank, were all from the Corporation Bank. S S Kohli, former CMD of PNB, was from the Punjab and Sind Bank - both small banks. The promotion criteria in all public sector banks should be such that the average age of GMs is the same in all the banks. This will create a large pool eligible candidates.

R K Juyal Mumbai

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