West Bengal’s largest urban cooperative bank-Contai Cooperative Bank, has posted an impressive performance in FY 2025-26, achieving a business mix of over Rs 2,750 crore and recording a gross profit of Rs 29.24 crore.
The bank, which recently secured scheduled bank status from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), reported zero net NPA, while its gross NPA stood at 2.90 per cent as of March 31, 2026. Its deposits rose to Rs 1,572.11 crore, while advances reached Rs 1,178.24 crore.
Speaking to Indian Cooperative, CEO Apollo Ali said the bank is now targeting a business mix of more than Rs 3,000 crore during the current financial year. However, he pointed out that a severe manpower shortage remains one of the institution’s biggest challenges.
“We currently have around 200 employees against a requirement of nearly 265. We have already approached the Service Commission for recruitment,” Ali said.
The bank currently operates 16 branches and plans to open five additional branches, subject to the availability of manpower. Alongside physical expansion, it is also investing heavily in technology.
“We are undertaking major IT expansion, including CBS upgradation and strengthening our digital banking infrastructure. Customers already have access to UPI, mobile banking, internet banking and BBPS services. We also operate around 10 ATMs and are working towards further upgrading our clearing and payment systems,” Ali added.
Ali’s own journey mirrors the institution’s rise. Having joined the bank in 1998 as a Technical Officer, he steadily climbed the ranks to become its CEO.
Contai Cooperative Bank is planning to expand beyond West Bengal and is exploring conversion into a multi-state urban cooperative bank, with branches proposed in neighbouring Odisha. The bank remains West Bengal’s only Tier-III urban cooperative bank and among the fastest-growing cooperative lenders in eastern India.