The Hubli Urban Co-operative Bank is a chapter unmatched in Co-operative Banking sector in the twin city of Hubli-Dharwar may be even in the State of Karnataka. The Bank has been and is trusted by thousands of people since its inception till to day. It has faithfully served generation after generation of customers & families.
 
Its humble but inspiring roots are in the Hubli Urban Co-operative Society. The Society was formed by Rao Bahadur Late Shri. K. R. Walvekar with his 18 other promoters on 6th January 1906. The aim of this society was to provide financial assistance to low paid municipal workers.

With the aim to reach out and to serve larger number of people this society was converted into the Hubli Urban Co-operative Bank in the year of 1922. Adhering to the ideals, faith and vision of learned leaders like Mr. Walvekar, Mr. Mirji, Dr. G. V. Joshi, the Bank grew steadily. From an old residential building that the Bank started from, it transformed itself with the construction of the front RCC building during the Golden Jubilee year in 1956.

A mechanically operated clock showing time from all 4 faces of the Clock Tower was constructed on the building of the Bank, then a unique land mark in this part of the State.

Recently, due to the wear out of the mechanical mechanism of the 50 year old clock, a new State of the Art Clock has been installed as a replacement. The unique feature is that the clock operates through a Global Positioning System of time keeping which provides a very accurate time through signals received from satellites. This is the first of its kind in Karnataka.

The later-day Management, headed by eminent personalities like Late Mr. M.B.Desai, Late Dr. G.V. Joshi, Late Mr. S. S. Shettar, Late Mr. B. S. Hombali, Late Mr. S. K. Marathe, Late Dr.S.G.Joshiand Mr. V. H. Mathad, continued to serve the common man with the same vigor, vision and dedication as was set by the Founding Father, the Late RaoBahadur K. R. Walvekar. The Bank withstood the blues of the pre- independence rule, witnessed the freedom fights and relished the freedom gained and continued its job in free India helping the poor and the downtrodden.

The middle class and the lower middle class people who comprise the majority of the clientele trusted the Bank implicitly. The Bank was put to test for its trustworthiness in the later years. During the financial crisis of the DCC Bank in September 2002, the Bank withstood the shock of the crisis. The optimism and entrepreneurial skills of the management and the then Chairman Late Mr. S. K. Marathe, saw the Bank successfully emerge as a prominent and one most preferred co-operative Bank in the region, playing a stellar role for other Co-operative Banks in the state.

Starting with a modest Share Capital of Rs. 1450 and a deposit of Rs. 100 and with a small number of shareholders of only 25, it has now become a large Banking institution with Share Capital of Rs. 4.8crores, Deposits of more than Rs. 151crores and the number of shareholders exceeding 12000. The Bank has seven branches functioning from within the city of Hubli-Dharwad with 67 personnel and 8 pigmy collectors.

The current Chairman Mr. V. R. Sirur who is a successful Industrialist, and the current Vice Chairman Dr. Ajit S. Joshi, Doctor by profession are stearing the Bank towards the new age Banking. Now customers are able to avail facilities like ATM facility, RTGS, NEFT, etc.

Possessing an infrastructure with modern technologies but with its original committed ideals and principles, the Bank is now set to achieve excellence in working and set high standards of Professionalism in the Co-operative Banking Sector in Karnataka.