List of Central Co-operative Banks in West Bengal (All 17) with Districts, Addresses and Contact E-mails
04 Nov 2026
Quick answer
Credit co-operative society vs co-operative bank: West Bengal has hundreds of credit co-operatives – urban credit societies, employees' societies, women's credit co-ops – alongside licensed co-operative banks. They look similar but carry very different risk for depositors.
Key points
- Co-operative banks (State, Central, urban) are RBI-licensed and DICGC-insured up to ₹5 lakh.
- Primary co-operative credit societies are not DICGC-insured.
- RBI (22 Nov 2021) cautioned that societies can't use ‘bank’ in their names or take deposits from non-members, nominal or associate members.
- West Bengal has 735 urban credit co-operatives and 95 women's credit co-operatives (Department figures).
- Check registration, audit status and members-only deposit rules before investing.
Real problems and practical solutions
Problem 1: Society offering 12% FD to anyone
What happens: A ‘co-operative’ advertises high deposit rates to the public.
Solution:
- Societies may accept deposits only from members; a public offer is a red flag.
- Check RBI licence if it calls itself a bank.
- Report to the Registrar.
Legal basis: RBI caution; BR Act s.7
Problem 2: Society delays repaying deposits
What happens: Matured deposit not paid.
Solution:
- File a dispute before the Registrar under Section 102 (disputes guide).
- Seek inspection/inquiry.
Legal basis: Section 102
Problem 3: Employees' credit society deducting salary without consent
What happens: Recoveries continue after a member resigns.
Solution:
- Check bye-laws on salary deduction authority and resignation; ask for an account statement.
- Dispute before the Registrar if wrongful.
Legal basis: Section 102
Problem 4: Society shows huge ‘bad loans’
What happens: Members fear deposit loss.
Solution:
- Demand audited accounts and audit classification; ask for special audit or Registrar's inquiry.
- Check board members' loans – defaulters can't be directors.
Legal basis: Sections 32(2), 97, 100
Side by side
| Co-operative bank | Credit co-operative society | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | RBI banking licence | None (registration under WBCS Act only) |
| Deposits from | Public | Members only |
| DICGC insurance | Yes, up to ₹5 lakh | No |
| Can use ‘bank’ in name | Yes | No |
| Supervision | RBI/NABARD + Registrar | Registrar |
Depositor checklist
- Is it a bank (RBI licence) or a society?
- Are you a full member?
- Latest audited accounts and audit class.
- Any Registrar's inquiry or supersession?
- Don't put more than you can afford to have locked.
Kinds of credit co-operatives in West Bengal
| Type | Who it serves | Figures (Dept.) |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit-mobilising PACS | Rural members | 2,858 |
| Urban credit co-operatives | Urban members | 735 |
| Women's credit co-operatives | Women members | 95 |
| Employees' credit societies | Staff of an employer | — |
Warning signs
- Interest rates far above banks.
- Agents collecting from non-members.
- No audited accounts or AGM.
- Name contains ‘bank’ without RBI licence.
- Multi-state ‘credit’ societies with aggressive marketing.
Related guides
- West Bengal State Co-operative Bank (WBSCB): History, Structure, Services, Loans and Deposit Safety
- List of Central Co-operative Banks in West Bengal (All 17) with Districts, Addresses and Contact E-mails
- PACS in West Bengal: What Primary Agricultural Credit Societies Do, How to Join, and Fixing Common Problems
Credit co-operative society vs co-operative bank: frequently asked questions
Are credit co-operative society deposits insured?
No – DICGC does not cover primary co-operative societies.
Are co-operative bank deposits insured?
Yes, up to ₹5 lakh per depositor in the same capacity.
Can a credit society call itself a bank?
No, not without RBI permission.
Can non-members deposit in a credit society?
No; RBI has cautioned against societies accepting deposits from non-members, nominal or associate members.
Where do I complain?
To the Registrar of Co-operative Societies.
Is an urban co-operative bank safer than a credit society?
For deposit insurance, yes – UCBs are DICGC-insured up to ₹5 lakh; credit societies are not.
How do I check if a co-op is an RBI-licensed bank?
Ask for its RBI licence and check RBI's lists; a society without a licence can't call itself a bank.
Can a credit society pay higher interest than banks?
It can, but higher returns usually mean higher risk and no DICGC insurance.
Who audits credit societies?
Panel auditors under Section 97; arrears can trigger action by the Audit Directorate.
Sources and review
- RBI – FAQs on deposit insurance (DICGC)
- Taxmann – RBI cautions public on co-operative societies using ‘bank’ (22 Nov 2021)
- Co-operation Department, Government of West Bengal – overview and statistics
Facts checked against the sources listed on 29 October 2026.
Next step: read the COOPMAN step-by-step guides, or keep your society's records in order with COOPMAN.
