• Dr. Girish Mangleek
• Shri. Anil Kumar Tiwary
• Ms. Sonal Sanjay Kadam

Demographic and geographic reach of cooperative institutions to the urban and rural areas makes them alternative approach to financial inclusion. However, the cooperative sector faced financial difficulties in 2019-20. Throughout the year, fraud incidents had an impact on the asset quality and profitability of urban cooperative banks (UCBs). So far in 2020-21, uncertainties related to COVID-19 impacted cooperative banking operations in a same way for other financial institutions. Maharashtra suffered significantly from COVID-19. Cooperative banks were particularly vulnerable. The research study was exploratory and qualitative in nature. The goal of the study was of learning about the issues caused by a devastating pandemic that severely harmed the Indian economy and had a negative impact on it for nearly 18 months. Many myths and doubts about how the crisis was handled were dispelled by the study. The UCBs suffered because a large number of small banks, lacking in scale, resources, and bargaining power, were fighting lone battles. Although the crisis did not cause irreversible damage, UCBs still have much work to do in the areas of business remodeling, risk mechanism strengthening etc. to develop capabilities to deal with a future crisis, such as a pandemic, as well as ensure longevity, improved competencies, maintain depositor trust, and satisfy all stakeholders of these banks

Urban Cooperative Banks, COVID-19, FGD, Governance

"COVID-19 and Urban Cooperative Banks- A Qualitative Assessment using Focus Group Discussion", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 4, page no.m61-m66, April-2023, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2304C08.pdf

"COVID-19 and Urban Cooperative Banks- A Qualitative Assessment using Focus Group Discussion", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 4, page no. ppm61-m66, April-2023, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2304C08.pdf