The Federal Bank Officers' Association (FBOA) is the sole representative body of the officers working in Federal Bank. It is formed in the year 1966 by a small group of 15 Officers under the able leadership of Sri N P Mathai, Founder General Secretary of FBOA, with the lofty ideal of serving the officers community in Federal Bank. It started functioning officially with approved bye-laws since 16.04.1967. FBOA is an apolitical trade union affiliated to All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC).
FBOA strives for protecting and safeguarding the trade union rights of Officers working in the Bank and in improving the service conditions of officers. FBOA also endeavours to ensure a steady and sustained growth for Federal Bank in tune with the industry. FBOA has always been practicing a positive trade unionism in all its actions and activities to promote a smooth industrial climate without diluting its basic trade union principles. The welfare measures introduced by FBOA over the period to help its members, family members and society at large have brought in reputation for the organization among their counterparts in the Bank, industry and outside. FBOA has withstood the test of time and having completed 50 years of yeoman service, FBOA continues to march forward with commitment, devotion and dedication to serve its constituency with added vigour and enthusiasm.
A Journey of Resilience
The organization has faced and overcome many challenges in its chequered journey to the present stature. At one point, it even faced the dismissal and suspension of its leaders from the Bank, yet it remained steadfast. Today, as we celebrate over five decades of service, FBOA has undoubtedly become the 'numero uno' in respecting the service conditions of its members.
FBOA, the mighty organization of the Officers is now indeed the most vital support pillar for the members with its protection, support and guidance. The satisfaction on the faces of thousands of Federal Bank Officers, present and past, and their families stand as an everlasting monument of the yeomen services rendered by Federal Bank Officers' Association through the last fifty glorious years. We do remember with reverence all the past leaders who had successfully steered the destiny of the Association and all the members of the yester years without whose dedicated efforts the present distinctive position of the Association would have been still a wild dream.
FBOA has been consistently acclaimed by all for its constructive exemplary trade union practices and unflinching commitment to the welfare of its members and loyalty to the Institution. Our fundamental guiding principle has been 'One for all and all for one'. At the same time, it has never lacked in the concern and care for the society at large. FBOA is a unique organization still holding to the golden principle ie. "an Association free of outside interference and political affiliation only can be loyal to the INSTITUTION AND TO ITS MEMBERS". Apolitical attitude has always enabled the members to confide with FBOA and which in turn helped the Association to stand above all kinds of parochial consideration.
Never compromising on principles, the tradition set-forth by its pioneers, our Association has always stood in the forefront to fight tirelessly for the valid cause of its members. With due respect to the authorities always, the Association has never failed to point out whenever the authorities go astray. Commitment to the members and loyalty to the institution have been the pursuits of the Association always. Both Rights and duties have been given equal importance by the Association. This kind of a positive trade unionism is the firm base for the present confidence of the members in the Association and the acceptance and recognition we receive from the Management and the general public.
FBOA has had its share of trials and tribulations too. The organization has faced and overcome many a challenges in its chequered journey to the present stature. It has even faced the dismissal and suspension of its leaders from the Bank, not to speak of innumerable number of confrontations with the Management on various issues. Formed at a time when trade union was anathema to the employees in general and supervisory staff in particular, the FBOA was steeled by the hostile experiences and hard attitudes it often faced from the authorities. And today after 5 decades, when it celebrates its Golden Jubilee, 50th Anniversary, FBOA has undoubtedly become the 'numero uno' in many respects, whether in the matter of ensuring the best service conditions or in pioneering a number of welfare projects for its members and the society at large.
FBOA has tirelessly straddled the path less chosen by Trade unions, pioneering the visionary participative ideal of 'Grow with the Bank' in spirit and action. The die-hard activists who have given their sweat and blood to nurture and build the Association brick by brick through peace and crisis will be proud today to find the organization resilient as ever with vigour and grit in its fifth decade of vigilant activism in defending the interests of the officers' community in our Bank. Let us remember the contributions made by these dedicated members and salute their tireless efforts and sacrifices.
FBOA has won many laurels during the five decades of its colourful history. It has also ensured the best service conditions for the officers in Federal Bank, even better than premier Banks in certain areas. The Officers' Welfare Fund launched in 1979 still remains the most outstanding in its kind of death relief scheme and it has been followed by many sister trade unions in the industry and elsewhere. "Family Meets" organized by FBOA since 1970 with the first family meet held at Bolgatty Palace, Ernakulum, continue to be the focal point of the realization of Federal Family concept in our Institution.
Federal Group housing projects have benefitted 1000 plus families by now. The 'Federal Gardens' housing project at Aluva which houses 110 Federal families is an eternal testimony for the achievements of the Association. Federal Park with 200 flats at Ernakulam, Federal Village with 80 villas at Elookara, Federal City with 300 flats has been completed. Federal Greens at Mariapady near Aluva and Federal Capital at Thiruvananthapuram are upcoming Housing projects.
Federal Institute of Science and Technology (FISAT) situated at 'Hormis Nagar', Mookkannoor, the educational initiative of FBOA Educational Society is our eloquent tribute to the technical and management education sphere of our country for the future of our promising youths. With full admission, highest number of placements, unparalleled infrastructure, special thrust on incubation, entrepreneurship and start-up it has been consistently retaining the number one position of the most sought after Engineering College in the State of Kerala and has been recently accredited by NAAC with A Grade.
As part of the year-long Golden Jubilee celebration FBOA had undertaken several programmes and projects such as Jubilee Meetings at various Zonal centres, youth Meets, Women convention, Jubilee Family Meets, Social service projects, Clean Planet environmental Mission at Sanghumugham and Kozhikode Beaches in association with Magic Planet of renowned magician Prof Gopinath Muthukad, Competitions for federal families and school Children, Launch of cultural Forum 'FLAMES', Launch Jubilee guest House, sponsorship for a cancer care ward Hormis Memorial walkway in the upcoming public Garden etc.
"Let us salute all our past leaders and valiant comrades who have waged several glorious struggles with path-breaking achievements enabling us to serve our Bank with dignity and self-respect and uphold high the flag of FBOA for our future."