Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) was founded on February 10th 1937, by Shri.M.Ct.M. Chidambaram Chettyar, a pioneer in many fields - Banking, Insurance and Industry with the twin objectives of specialising in foreign exchange business and overseas banking.

IOB had the unique distinction of commencing business on 10th February 1937 (on the inaugural day itself) in three branches simultaneously - at Karaikudi and Chennai in India and Rangoon in Burma (presently Myanmar) followed by a branch in Penang. IOB was one of the 14 major banks that was nationalised in 1969. 


IOB had the distinction of being the first Bank in Banking Industry to obtain ISO 9001 Certification for its Computer Policy and Planning Department from Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Netherlands in September 1999. This Certification covers Design, Development, Implementation and Maintenance of software developed in-house, procurement and supply of hardware and execution of turnkey projects.