The beginning of the Kerala State Cooperative Bank Ltd (KSCB) dates back to early 20th century. In 1914, the then Maharaja of Travancore, his highness The Moolam Thirunal Ramavarma, by his proclamation introduced the “Travancore Cooperative Societies Regulation Act”. As per the Act, the first cooperative society - The Trivandrum Central Cooperative Bank - was registered in the year 1915. The bank started functioning on 18th January 1916 with a share capital of Rs.1.00 Lakh consisting of 1000 shares of Rs.100 each.
Later, in 1943, the bank was converted into the ‘Travancore Central Cooperative Bank’ with a federal character, for the entire Travancore State. Aftermath of the Indian independence, the bank was reorganized as a State Cooperative Bank for Travancore – Cochin State in 1954. On linguistic basis, the State ‘Kerala’ was formed in the year 1956. Then the bank was also elevated to the position of State Cooperative Bank, and further it became ‘The Kerala State Cooperative Bank Ltd.’ The Kerala State Cooperative Bank was approved and retained as an Apex Bank, in which, only Cooperative Banks approved by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies were allowed as members. At present all the 14 District Cooperative Banks in the State and the Government of Kerala are the members and Shareholders of the Bank.
From 1st March 1966 onwards the Kerala State Cooperative Bank Ltd. was brought under the control of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In July 1966, the RBI as per the provisions contained under second schedule of RBI Act, approved the Bank as a ‘Scheduled State Cooperative Bank’. The Kerala State Cooperative Bank is the first scheduled Apex Cooperative Bank in the Cooperative Banking Sector in the Country. In 1972, RBI issued license to The Kerala State Cooperative Bank for doing banking business. At present, The Kerala State Cooperative Bank is not only the leader of cooperative sector in the state but also a model for cooperative banking structure in the country.