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What is Vigilance Awareness Week?

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Government of India, observes Vigilance Awareness Week every year with the aim of fostering awareness and promote integrity and transparency in public administration through awareness programmes and preventive vigilance initiatives. The Vigilance Awareness Week is observed every year in the week in which the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel falls. The Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 would be observed from 26th October to 01st November 2026, on the following theme:

“Probity for Prosperity”

Message from the Managing Director

“Integrity and ethical conduct are the foundations of public trust. Let us uphold the highest standards of honesty, fairness and accountability in every aspect of our work. Vigilance is not merely a compliance requirement; it is a collective responsibility. Let us remain alert, act ethically and strengthen a culture of transparency and zero tolerance for corruption."

Shri R V RamaKrishna

Managing Director, APCOB

Message from the Chief Vigilance Officer

"Vigilance is not a separate activity, but a core part of our daily operations. It is the personal responsibility of every employee to uphold the principles of integrity and transparency. This Vigilance Awareness Week, let us recommit ourselves to building a bank that is fair, honest, and worthy of our customers' trust. Our integrity is our greatest asset."

Shri B Ramachandraiah

Chief Vigilance Officer, APCOB

Jingles for VAW 2026

Honesty in action, Integrity in all we do.

With trust and transparency Let’s build a future new.

Say no to corruption Let fairness lead the way.

Clean conduct, clean governance Every single day.

Choose what is right.

Let integrity be our identity.

Probity for Prosperity.

 

 

Vigilance for Our Customers: Protect Your Account

Your financial safety is our priority. Vigilance is a shared responsibility. Here’s how you can help protect your hard-earned money:

Never Share Your OTP, PIN, or CVV

APCOB Bank will NEVER call you, email you, or send you an SMS asking for your confidential details like OTP, ATM PIN, CVV, or Internet Banking Password. Anyone asking for this is a fraudster. Hang up immediately.

Beware of Phishing & Vishing

Do not click on suspicious links in emails or SMS messages. Fraudsters create fake websites that look like the real APCOB site to steal your login details. Always type `apcob.bank.in` directly into your browser.

Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Avoid simple passwords like `123456`, `password`, or your date of birth. Create a strong password with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not use the same password for banking as you do for social media.

A Guide for Staff: Common Vigilance Pitfalls

As employees, we are the first line of defense in protecting the bank’s integrity. Be aware of these common pitfalls:

  • Password & Terminal Security: NEVER share your system password. ALWAYS lock your computer (Press Windows + L) when you step away from your desk, even for a minute.
  • Bypassing KYC Norms: Do not “bend the rules” for friends, family, or important-looking customers. Incomplete or unverified KYC is a major compliance risk.
  • Social Engineering: Be cautious of urgent phone calls (even if they seem to be from a senior official or IT) asking for sensitive information or to perform an unusual transaction. Verify the request through a separate, known channel.
  • Gifts & Favors: Politely decline any gifts, meals, or favors that could be seen as an attempt to influence your decisions. When in doubt, report it to your supervisor or the Vigilance Department.
  • Know the Whistleblower Policy (PIDPI): If you see something wrong, report it. The Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI) resolution protects your identity. Reporting is a duty, not a betrayal. You can report concerns to: whistleblower@apcob.bank.in

Schedule for the Week

Join us for the following activities planned throughout the week at our Head Office and branches:

Monday, Oct 26th:

  • Integrity Pledge taking ceremony by all staff at 11:30 AM.
  • Launch of Vigilance Awareness Posters, Comic and Videos by our Chief Guest,
    Ananthi S., Dy. General Manager, RBI
  • A two-day workshop on “Vigilance & Disciplinary Proceedings in Banks” for selected employees of APCOB and DCCBs at APCOB-CTI, Hyderabad in coordination with VIBHAS HR Consultancy Services.

Publications for Vigilance Awareness:
Comic: Comics

Tuesday, Oct 27th:

  • A two-day workshop on “Vigilance & Disciplinary Proceedings in Banks” for selected employees of APCOB and DCCBs at APCOB-CTI, Hyderabad in coordination with VIBHAS HR Consultancy Services.

Wednesday, Oct 28th:

  • Awareness Programme to Customers in branches with the aim of fostering awareness and promote integrity and transparency.

Thursday, Oct 29th:

Quiz competition for staff members to promote awareness on cyber safety, integrity, transparency and vigilance against corruption

Friday, Oct 30st 

  • Employees Awareness Programme in Head Office with the aim of fostering awareness and promote integrity and transparency.
  • Staff taking the e-pledge on the CVC portal. Access the e-pledge here

Saturday, Oct 31st:

Valedictory ceremony by Sri Budithi Rajasekhar, IAS (Retd.), The Ex-Officio Special Chief Secretary, Agriculture & Cooperation Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. Prize distribution to winners and Runners of the competition held during the Vigilance Awareness Week.

 

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Our Commitment at APCOB

At Andhra Pradesh State Co-operative Bank Ltd. (APCOB), integrity is the cornerstone of our operations. We are fully committed to participating in Vigilance Awareness Week to strengthen our internal systems and promote ethical banking.

  • Promoting Transparency: We strive for openness in our customer dealings and internal processes.
  • Preventive Vigilance: We continuously strengthen our Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and transaction monitoring to prevent fraud and malpractice.
  • Employee Sensitization: We conduct internal workshops and training to ensure all staff adhere to the highest standards of conduct.

Integrity Pledge for Citizens

We invite all our customers and fellow citizens to join this movement by taking the Integrity Pledge.

I believe that corruption has been one of the major obstacles to economic, political and social progress of our country. I believe that all stakeholders such as Government, citizens and private sector need to work together to eradicate corruption.

I realize that every citizen should be vigilant and commit to the highest standards of honesty and integrity at all times and support the fight against corruption.

I, therefore, pledge:

  • To follow probity and rule of law in all walks of life;
  • To neither take nor offer bribe;
  • To perform all tasks in an honest and transparent manner;
  • To act in public interest;
  • To lead by example exhibiting integrity in personal behaviour;
  • To report any incident of corruption to the appropriate agency.

Integrity Pledge for Organizations

As an organization, APCOB stands by its commitment to ethical and transparent governance.

We believe that corruption has been one of the major obstacles to economic, political and social progress of our country.

We believe that all stakeholders such as Government, citizens and private sector need to work together to eradicate corruption.

We acknowledge our responsibility to lead by example and the need to put in place safeguards, integrity frameworks and code of ethics to ensure that we are not part of any corrupt practice and we tackle instances of corruption with utmost strictness.

We realize that as an Organization, we need to lead from the front in eradicating corruption and in maintaining highest standards of integrity, transparency and good governance in all aspects of our operations.

We, therefore, pledge that, We shall:

  • Promote ethical business practices and foster a culture of honesty and integrity;
  • Not offer or accept bribes;
  • Commit to good corporate governance based on transparency, accountability and fairness;
  • Adhere to relevant laws, rules and compliance mechanisms in the conduct of business;
  • Adopt a code of ethics for all our employees;
  • Sensitize our employees of laws, regulations, etc. relevant to their work for honest discharge of their duties;
  • Provide grievance redressal and Whistle Blower mechanism for reporting grievances and fraudulent activities;
  • Protect the rights and interests of stakeholders and the society at large.

Report a Concern

Be a vigilant citizen. If you encounter any instance of corruption or malpractice, please report it. Your identity can be kept confidential.

Contact APCOB’s Vigilance Department:

Shri B. Ramchandraiah;
Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO)

Email icon
ram.b@apcob.bank.in

During this week, the following activities are being conducted:

  • Integrity Pledge by the Organization
  • Launch of Posters, Videos, Vigilance Awareness Comic by Chief Guest Smt. Ananthi S., Dy. General Manager, Reserve Bank of India.
  • Introduction Video on Vigilance Awareness Week 2026.
  • A two-day workshop on “Vigilance & Disciplinary Proceedings in Banks” for selected employees of APCOB and DCCBs on 26.10.2026 and 27.10.2026.
  • Quiz Competition to employees of APCOB
  • Customer Awareness Programmes in Branches
  • Employees Awareness Programme in Head Office
  • Displaying Awareness Posters at Head Office and all Branches.
  • Circulation of Vigilance Awareness Posters and Videos
  • Circulation of Vigilance Awareness Comic consisting 5 Stories with the commitment to Integrity.

Vigilance FAQ

Common questions about vigilance for both our customers and staff.

What is KYC and why is it mandatory? (For Customers)

“KYC” stands for “Know Your Customer.” It is a mandatory process required by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for all financial institutions. Its purpose is to verify the identity and address of every customer to prevent identity theft, fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes. By completing your KYC, you help us protect your account and ensure the safety of the entire banking system.

Look for these red flags:

  • Urgent Threats: Language like “Your account will be blocked immediately” or “Suspicious activity detected, log in NOW.”
  • Sender’s Email: Look closely at the “From” address. A fake email might be `apcob.bank@gmail.com` or `info@apcob-security.com`. Our official emails will only come from an `@apcob.bank.in` address.
  • Suspicious Links: Hover your mouse over any link *without clicking* it. Your browser will show you the real destination address. If it looks strange, don’t click it.
  • We Never Ask: We will NEVER ask for your Password, PIN, or OTP in an email.

Audit is a routine, post-transaction check to ensure that existing rules and procedures were followed correctly. (e.g., “Was the voucher signed by the correct authority?”). Audits check for procedural lapses.

Vigilance is a deeper investigation to find out *if* there was a *motive of corruption, dishonesty, or personal gain* involved in a decision or transaction. (e.g., “Was the voucher *intentionally* approved to benefit a specific person, even if the procedure was technically followed?”). Vigilance looks for improper motives.

Yes. Under the CVC’s Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI) Resolution, the identity of the complainant is fully protected. APCOB’s whistleblower@apcob.bank.in email is managed by the Vigilance Department, and your report will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. Reporting misconduct is a protected and vital duty, and we encourage you to speak up without fear.