New Delhi: If you have trusted your money with one of the smaller banks in Kerala like the co-operative banks, regional banks etc. its time you should take a closer look at the security measures they have in place to safeguard your hard earned money. The recent heist at Chelembra branch of the South Malabar Grameen Bank has raised many questions regarding the security systems deployed in such banks. In a daring incident of robbery, thieves made a hole in the roof of bank and decamped with gold worth Rs.7crore and 2.5 crore in cash.

Presently there is a huge gap between the security measures adopted by the top banks and those at the lower end. Very basic infrastructure like a strong room, round the clock security personnel and security alarm systems are also not available at many small banks whereas state-of the art surveillance system and biometric identification are used to protect vital assets at leading banks.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has detailed various security measures that should be deployed by all the banks and financial institutions including the raw material to be used for constructing strong rooms and thickness of the walls, floor and roof of the strong rooms. But not many smaller banks follow these guidelines and have such strong rooms in place.

Many devices like door sensors, glass break sensors, movement sensors, video recorders, integrated alarm systems, auto dialers are available in the market today and can be easily installed at affordable costs. Banks at Kolkata recently deployed integrated hi-tech security measures to prevent bank robberies. Its high time that smaller banks also pay due attention to their security needs and invest in the right measures to safeguard their assets.