In the State of Assam, there are two tiers of Cooperative Credit Structure. The Assam Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd. is in the upper tier and the GPSS/LAMPS (PACS) are in the bottom of the structure.
The Assam Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd. is rendering services mainly in agricultural credit. Presently, the Bank is implementing the package of Short Term Cooperative Credit Structure (STCCS). On receiving of revival assistance from the Central and the State Govt., the financial position of the bank has been improved and has earned profits. The bank has earned net profits of Rs. 774.59 Lakhs in the year 2014-15. The Apex Bank has 67 Branches excluding the Head Office at Panbazar, Guwahati throughout the State of Assam. All the Branches of the Apex Bank are computerized and it has implemented Core Banking Solution. Like other Nationalized and Commercial Banks, the Apex Bank has also operated RTGS/NEFT. The Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio of the bank has achieved10.65% which can be taken as a good condition of assets to be compared with others State Cooperative Banks in the country. The bank is contemplating openingof ATM to facilitate the customers as well as to compete with other banks in the banking business.
| District | Sub Division | No.s of PACS |
|---|---|---|
| Nalbari | Nalbari | 22 |
| Kamrup | Rangia | 9 |
| Guwahati | 33 | |
| Nagaon | Nagaon | 33 |
| Kaliabor | 10 | |
| Hojai | 18 | |
| Morigaon | Morigaon | 28 |
| Barpeta | Barpeta | 41 |
| Kokrajhar | Kokrajhar | 14 |
| Gossaigaon | 11 | |
| Prabatjhora | 3 | |
| Dhubri | Dhubri | 27 |
| South Salmara, Hatsingimari | 13 | |
| Goalpara | Goalpara | 22 |
| Bongaigaon | North Salmara Abhayapuri | 13 |
| Chirang | Chirang | 12 |
| Baksa | Baksa | 24 |
| Sonitpur | Tezpur | 29 |
| B/Chariali | 13 | |
| Darrang | Mangaldoi | 21 |
| Udalguri | Udalguri | 9 |
| Bhergaon | 12 | |
| Dhemaji | Dhemaji | 12 |
| Jonai | 2 | |
| Lakhimpur | Dhakuakhana | 6 |
| N/Lakhimpur | 22 | |
| Karimganj | Karimganj | 16 |
| RK Nagar | 17 | |
| Silchar | Silchar | 39 |
| Hailakandi | 16 | |
| Tinsukia | Tinsukia | 19 |
| Sadiya | 3 | |
| Dibrugarh | Dibrugarh | 35 |
| Sivasagar | Sivasagar | 15 |
| Nazira | 7 | |
| Charaideo | 11 | |
| Jorhat | Jorhat | 18 |
| Titabor | 11 | |
| Majuli | 6 | |
| Golaghat | Golaghat | 42 |
| Total | 714 | |
ASCARD was registered during the year 1955-56. It is a land mortgage Bank. This Bank is not a Bank under the Banking Regulation Act but is being regulated under the Assam Cooperative Land Mortgage Bank Act, 1960 and the Assam Cooperative Land Mortgage Bank Rules, 1961.
While the Cooperative Credit Structure is mainly providing short term agricultural loans, ASCARD was providing medium and long term agricultural loans. ASCARD has 28 Nos. of Branches throughout the State. Formerly, the Primary Land Mortgage Bank (PLMB) in the District Level and later on the PLMBs were reformed as Primary Agricultural Cooperative Bank which were finally merged with ASCARD Ltd.
At present,these Primary Agricultural Cooperative Banks are functioning as Branches of ASCARD . Present financial position of ASCARD is precarious. Performance of ASCARD is almost deplorable due to mismanagement. The Govt. has taken steps for revival of Short Term Cooperative Credit Structure (STCCS) as per the recommendation of Vaidayanathan Committee Report-I.But, the Govt. has yet to take steps for revival of Long Term Cooperative Credit Structure (LTCCS).
