Kerala, which is popularly known as God's Own Country, is a green strip of land that lies at the southern tip of Indian peninsula. It is famed for its natural beauty, the high literacy rate, the rich and traditional culture that promotes peaceful coexistence of people, its handicrafts and practice of ayurveda.

The Regional Office of the Reserve Bank of India started functioning in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of this picturesque state, in 1954. At its inception there was only one Department in the Office viz., Department of Banking Operations (DBO). The operations of the Regional Office expanded in 1968 with the addition of the Agricultural Credit Department. In the same year the location of the Office was also shifted to the Belhaven Palace, which was purchased by the Bank from the descendants of the erstwhile Royal Family of the State of Travancore. Later, in 1981 a sub-office of the Issue Department was set up to cater to the currency requirements of the public.

The present office building at Bakery Junction was opened in 1982 in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city. All the departments housed elsewhere were shifted to this premises. Other departments such as DAD, PAD, PDO etc., also started functioning and the Issue Sub Office was converted into a full-fledged Issue Department.

Jurisdiction

At present the Regional Office at Thiruvananthapuram looks after currency management in the State of Kerala and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and supervises the commercial banks, urban co-operative banks, non-banking financial companies, miscellaneous non-banking companies and other financial intermediaries located in this State/Union Territory.