The Bank was incorporated in the name of ‘Nadar Bank Limited’ on May 11, 1921 at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu as a limited company under the Indian Companies Act, 1913 pursuant to a certificate of incorporation issued by the erstwhile Assistant Registrar of Joint Stock, Palamcottah. The Bank commenced its business on November 11, 1921 at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. Subsequently, the name of the Bank was changed to ‘Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Limited’, with effect from November 27, 1962, pursuant to a letter of approval from the Government of India dated November 14, 1962 and a fresh certificate of incorporation dated July 17, 1968 was issued by the Assistant Registrar of Companies, Madras

Tamilnad Mercantile Bank is one of the oldest and leading old private sector banks in India. It offers a wide range of banking and financial services primarily to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), agricultural and retail customers (RAM). Since its incorporation, having head quartered at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India, it has built a strong presence in the state of Tamil Nadu. It also focuses on diversifying its growth in other high growth regions of India which will help increase its network and client base. Apart from Tamil Nadu, it has sizable presence in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. The company’s advances portfolio primarily consists of lending to Retail customers;  agricultural customers and MSMEs (RAM). Its deposits portfolio consists of term deposits, recurring deposits, savings bank and current bank accounts amongst others.

Business area of the bank

The bank offers banking products and services to retail, MSME, agricultural and corporate customers. Its retail asset products include home loans, personal loans, auto loans, educational loans, business loans as well as security-backed loans of various types to its retail customers. Its MSME portfolio consists primarily of various loan products to its MSME customers such as manufacturing, traders and services sector. Its loans to the agricultural sector include loans to individual farmers, group of farmers, agriculture businesses and agriculture corporate.

Key awards, accreditations and recognition

• 2011: The Bank was ranked first amongst old private sector banks at the “Financial Express - India’s Best Banks Awards” for the Fiscal 2011-12.
• 2012: The Bank was rated as the best bank in priority sector and the second-best bank in efficiency and profitability at the “Sunday Standard FINWIZ Best Bankers’ Awards 2012”.
• 2012: The Bank was awarded the “SFBC Kerala Banking Excellence Award 2012” for being ranked as the third best bank in the private sector banks category by the State Forum of Bankers’ Club, Kerala.
• 2013: The Bank was ranked second amongst old private sector banks at the “Financial Express – India’s Best Banks Awards” for the Fiscal 2013-14.
• 2013: The Bank was awarded the “Best Banker” award in the customer orientation and human resources categories at the “The Indian Express Sunday Standards Best Bankers Awards 2013”.
• 2013: The Bank was felicitated by the Life Insurance Corporation of India for achieving “100% Log In” on June 14, 2013.
• 2013: The Bank was felicitated by the Life Insurance Corporation of India for “Outstanding Performance in Bancassurance” for the Fiscal 2012-13.
• 2014: The Bank was awarded the “Social Banking Excellence Award 2014” for being categorized as the winner in the private sector banks category by ASSOCHAM India.
• 2015: The Bank was awarded the “Social Banking Excellence Award 2015” for being recognized as the overall best social bank and for participation in government schemes in the small banks category by ASSOCHAM India.
• 2015: The Bank was recognized as the “Best Bank in Private Sector” by ABP News at their BFSI Awards, 2015 on February 14, 2015 and at the Lokmat BFSI Awards, 2015 on July 24, 2015.
• 2015: The Bank was awarded the “SFBCK Banking Excellence Award 2015” for being ranked as the third best bank at the national level in the private sector by State Forum of Bankers’ Club, Kerala.
• 2016: The Bank was awarded the “SFBCK Banking Excellence Award 2016” for being ranked as the third best bank at the national level in the private sector by State Forum of Bankers’ Club, Kerala.
• 2016: The Bank was felicitated by the Life Insurance Corporation of India on completion of “Rs 51.56 crore First Premium” in the Fiscal 2016-17.
• 2017: The Bank was recognized as the “Best Bank in Private Sector” by ABP News at their BFSI Awards, 2017 on February 14, 2017.
• 2018: The Bank was awarded the “Social Banking Excellence Awards 2018” for being recognized as the overall best social bank and also as the winner in agricultural banking in the small banks category by ASSOCHAM India.
• 2019: The Bank was awarded the “BFSI Award for Digital Financial Inclusion” in the Governance Now 4th India Banking Reforms Conclave 2019 by BFSI May 29, 2019.
• 2021: The Bank was awarded the “12th SFBCK Banking Excellence Award 2020” for being ranked as the second-best bank at the national level in the old private sector category by State Forum of Bankers’ Club, Kerala.
• 2021: The Bank was awarded the “South India Best Employer Brand Awards 2021” at the 16th Employer Branding Awards.
• 2021: The Bank was awarded the “Citizen’s Choice Award of Excellence” for the first half of Fiscal 2021-22 for being the best performing state coordinator by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.
• 2021: The Bank was awarded the “Annual APY Award” for the Fiscal 2021-22 by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.
• 2021: The Bank was recognized as the “Second Best Performed Bank under Private Sector Category Banks” by State Forum of Bankers’ Club, Kerala.

Major events and milestones

• 1921: The Bank was incorporated as Nadar Bank Limited.
• 1933: The Bank acquired its first property at Beach Road, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
• 1946: The Bank celebrated its silver jubilee.
• 1962: The Bank changed its name to Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Limited.
• 1968: The Bank opened a rural branch at Vilathikulam, Tamil Nadu.
• 1971: The Bank celebrated its golden jubilee.
• 1993: The Bank registered as Category-1 Merchant Bankers with SEBI.
• 1993: The Bank opened its first currency chest at our Madurai branch.
• 1997: The Bank celebrated its platinum jubilee.
• 1999: The Bank granted licence to deal in foreign exchange.
• 2004: The Bank launched first ATM, christened as TMB Surabhi, in Chennai.
  2005: The Bank launched its first insurance linked deposit scheme, christened as Siranjeevee Recurring Deposit.
• 2008: The Bank launched SMS banking services.
• 2008: The Bank launched its internet banking facilities, christened as TMB E-Connect.
• 2012: The Bank launched its mobile banking facilities.
• 2014: The Bank entered into an agreement for the issuance of PAN cards.
• 2021: The Bank was recognized as the “Best Performing Bank” by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority of India for the outstanding performance under the Atal Pension Yojana for the period 2020-2021.