2. Response against COVID-19
Response against COVID-19

Stepping up during crisis

By the end of the financial year, the novel Coronavirus pandemic had spread across more than 200 countries. India was no exception. The Central Government, in co-ordination with states, imposed a nationwide lockdown to break the chain of transmission. Economic activities came to a halt. As a provider of ‘essential services’, we took several initiatives to uninterruptedly serve our customers while ensuring the safety of our people.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS WITH A PURPOSE

During the Coronavirus outbreak, we celebrated our 25th anniversary by distributing 25,000 freshly prepared meals in a single day. To reciprocate the love and blessings bestowed on the Bank, we thought it was best to give back to the most-needy members of our community

Proactive response to the pandemic

  • Served 2,50,000 hot cooked meals across the 11 states where AU is present
  • Conducted COVID-19 awareness campaigns through 25 Vehicles with PA mounted across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
  • 25,000 masks, gloves and sanitation kits distributed across AU’s 11 states
  • 25,000 ration kits distributed across AU’s 11 states
  • 25 foot operated hand-washing stations installed in Rajasthan
  • Inaugurated RT PCR Test Lab at RVRS Govt Medical College, Bhilwara, Rajasthan

CARE FOR CUSTOMERS

  • During the lockdown, rural customers were affected to a large extent. Therefore, we took the initiative to provide banking and support to our customer at their doorsteps
  • Considering the preparation for such emergency situations, we launched a new product, ‘COVID Shield’. This product allows customers to create an emergency fund through special fixed and recurring deposits with higher interest rates. Besides, it comes with added features like life insurance, zero balance, and preferential rates on loan products, among others
  • Started AU CARE for senior citizens and partially disabled persons by providing support for health, medicine and essential items. We also helped them with emergency travel requirements. We successfully interacted and offered help to 42,000+ senior citizens
  • Regular digital marketing campaigns on awareness, education, engagement and motivational aspects
  • Moratorium option given to all eligible customers
  • Initiated engagement initiatives for internet banking registrations
  • Maintained zero downtime across customer care numbers, Retail & Corporate Internet Banking, Mobile Banking, ATMs and all operational branches

CARE FOR OUR PEOPLE

The well-being of our people is always our utmost priority. We took several initiatives for safety and awareness of our employees during the Coronavirus outbreak.

  • Imparted regular information on safety protocols at home and work around hygiene, social distancing, policies and government updates
  • Provided reskilling and training on products, customer centricity, branch sales strategy, COVID Shield product and banking knowledge, among others
  • Provided health advisory ensuring physical and mental well-being. We offered a provision of doctor consultation on call. Started AU Karamveer series with a goal to appreciate employees going the extra mile during this testing time
  • Ensured full reimbursement of medical expenses for treatment of employees suffering from COVID-19
  • Made it mandatory for all branch employees to wear masks and money officers to wear disposable gloves while handling cash

PROACTIVE BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANNING (BCP)

We invoked our BCP Plan for uninterrupted working from home. We also initiated the following IT measures:

  • 310+ new laptops allocated to enable work from home during lockdown
  • Cloud IVR setup for IT Helpdesk to forward business calls on IT person’s mobile
  • Microsoft Teams collaboration tools implemented for team meetings
  • Requisite enablers under CBS, VPN, IVR, etc. being made to ensure smooth customer services.
  • To increase awareness about online banking, the Bank continuously sent messages/ e-mails to its customers to use digital and internet banking for transactions and their service needs

CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY

During these unprecedented times, we carried out several CSR activities and contributed funds for the well-being of the community.

  • Donated a fully functional RT PCR lab for COVID - 19 Testing to RVRS Govt Medical College, Bhilwara, Rajasthan
  • Deployed 25+ vehicles for awareness about COVID - 19 preventive measures at Guj, RJ, MP & MH
  • Distributed 25,000+ masks
  • Distributed 2,000 litres of hand sanitisers
  • Distributed gloves and masks to Police staff
  • Set up online donation campaign for AU employees and AU customers
  • Supported local level government agencies in different cities as per requirement
  • Contributed ` 2 crore to PM CARES FUND and ` 51 lakh each to Delhi and Maharashtra State relief funds, cumulatively have committed ` 5 crore
  • Distributed ~2.5 lakh food packets with the help of AU team volunteers
  • Partnered with various organisation to serve meals to needy
  • Started Project Humsafar to help migrant workers go home to their families. More than 6,500 migrant workers got benefit from this project
  • Distributed 25,000 dry ration kits to needy families
  • Started appreciation of Corona warriors Programme, to appreciate the work done by Police Staff, Hospital Staff, NGOs etc.