Southern Star Operating
Southern Star Co-operative Society is a member-owned thrift and credit cooperative founded in 1986 that serves 32,000+ Keralites in Delhi NCR through 9 branches, offering 11 loan products, 4 deposit schemes, and free legal, tax, and welfare services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersNew Delhi, India
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Southern Star Operating does
Southern Star Co-operative Society Limited is a member-owned thrift and credit cooperative founded in 1986 in Delhi by Mr. P.R. Nair, restricted by its bylaws to Keralites residing or employed in Delhi NCR. The society serves 32,000+ members through 9 owned branches and 4 cheque collection centres across the NCR, with corporate office and 8 of the 9 branches held as owned premises collectively valued at Rs. 30+ crore. Its core product suite comprises 11 loan products (Ordinary, Housing, Property, Vehicle, Emergency, Gold, Soft, Secured, Loan Against Deposits, and Swarna Kalpam) lent at 6–10% P.A., and 4 deposit products (Compulsory Deposit at 8%, Fixed Deposits at 4–7%, Special Recurring Deposits at 8–9%, and Savings Deposit Account at 4%) which fund the loan book and generate a net interest spread.
The business model is a cooperative intermediation model: members contribute compulsory monthly deposits, the society pools these into a lending book, and earns the spread between lending rates (~10%) and deposit rates (4–9%) plus fee income from processing, administration, gold-loan service, and penal charges. The society operates a digital channel stack spanning a member portal at members.southernstar.org, NEFT/RTGS/IMPS and QR-code payments, and correspondent banking arrangements with Federal Bank and South Indian Bank for nationwide cash/cheque deposits. Beyond credit and deposit products, the society provides free member services including a Legal Cell (Adv. Jose Abraham), Investment/Tax Cell, a 4,000+ book library, and a Welfare Fund delivering up to Rs. 2 lakh of insurance to 35+ year members—reinforcing retention economics. The cooperative governance is member-elected every 3 years, with ~200 members participating in policy decisions through 6 Zonal Advisory Committees, and the society reports a default rate of less than 2%.
Southern Star Operating firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Southern Star Operating
- Legal name
- Southern Star Co-operative Society
- Website
- https://southernstar.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Southern Star Co-operative Society is a member-owned thrift and credit cooperative founded in 1986 that serves 32,000+ Keralites in Delhi NCR through 9 branches, offering 11 loan products, 4 deposit schemes, and free legal, tax, and welfare services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Southern Star Operating industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cooperative Banking (Thrift & Credit Society)
- NAICS
- Depository Credit Intermediation (5221), Credit Unions (522130), Savings Institutions and Other Depository Credit Intermediation (52218)
- SIC
- Savings Institutions, Not Federally Chartered (6036), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Development Credit Unions (CDCUs) (FSABAEAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Microloans & Working Capital Loans (FSAKAGAA)
Keywords
Where Southern Star Operating is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New Delhi
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices10 records
Markets served
Southern Star Operating business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Loan Interest Income: Primary revenue stream from interest on various loan products including Ordinary Loans (10% P.A.), Housing/Property Loans, Gold Loans (6-10% P.A.), Vehicle Loans, Emergency Loans, and Soft Loans. Gold loan outstanding stands at Rs.40 Crores.
- Loan Processing and Administrative Fees: Various fees including processing charges for Housing/Property Loan (Rs.590/- with GST), Consumer/Vehicle Loan (Rs.354/- with GST), Administration charges (2% minimum Rs.5,000 with GST), Gold loan service charges (Rs.118/- with GST), loan renewal charges (1% + GST), admission fee (Rs.590/- with GST), arbitration filing charges (Rs.1,180/- with GST), and stationery charges.
- Compulsory Deposit Interest Spreads: Members contribute compulsory deposits (CD) at 8% interest rate. Society earns spread between lending rates (10%) and deposit rates paid to members.
- Penal Interest and Charges: Penal interest on loans (3% additional), penal interest on CD (Rs.12/- per month with GST), penal interest on SRDS/MDS (Rs.24/- per Rs.1,000 with GST), cheque dishonour charges (Rs.236/- with GST), and arbitration/execution charges (10.5% + GST).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Compulsory Deposit (CD) - 8% P.A. |
| Subscription | Annual | Fixed Deposits (FD) - 4% to 7% |
| Subscription | Annual | Special Recurring Deposits (SRD) - 8% to 9% |
| Subscription | Monthly | Saving Deposit Account (SDA) - 4% P.A. |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Ordinary Loan - up to Rs.10 Lakhs at 10% P.A. |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Housing/Property Loan - up to Rs.25 Lakhs at 10% P.A. |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Gold Loan - 6% to 10% P.A. |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Emergency Loan - up to Rs.80,000/- at 10% P.A. |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Vehicle Loan - up to Rs.5 Lakhs at 10% P.A. |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Soft Loan - up to Rs.2 Lakhs at 0% interest |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Southern Star Operating product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Southern Star Co-operative Society is a member-owned urban thrift and credit cooperative that delivers affordable lending and deposit products to the Malayalee (Keralite) community residing or employed in Delhi/NCR. Its core offering spans 11 loan categories (Ordinary, Emergency, Gold, Housing, Property, Vehicle, Soft, Secured, Loan Against Deposits, Swarna Kalpam) and four deposit schemes (Compulsory Deposit, Savings Deposit Account, Fixed Deposits, Special Recurring Deposits), supplemented by free member services including Legal Cell, Investment/Tax Cell, Library, and a Welfare Fund insurance program.
Product overview
Southern Star Co-operative Society is a cooperative thrift and credit society that offers a unified platform of financial products and member services. The core offering consists of 11 loan products (Ordinary Loan, Emergency Loan, Gold Loan, Housing Loan, Property Loan, Vehicle Loan, Soft Loan, Secured Loan, Loan Against Deposits, and Swarna Kalpam) structured around membership share value and eligibility criteria. Deposit products include Compulsory Deposit (CD), Savings Deposit Account (SDA), Fixed Deposits, and Special Recurring Deposits (SRD). Supplementary member services include a free Legal Cell, Investment/Tax Cell, Library Service, and Welfare Fund insurance program. The society operates through 9 branches and 4 cheque collection centers across Delhi/NCR, serving over 32,000 members primarily from the Malayalam/Keralite community.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ordinary Loan Standard loan product for members up to Rs. 10 lakhs at 10% P.A. interest, with eligibility based on share value, membership duration, and monthly emoluments (10x/12x/15x multiplier). Maximum credit limit of Rs. 10,00,000/- or 10/12/15 times monthly emoluments, whichever is less.
- Emergency Loan Quick-access loan up to Rs. 80,000/- without requiring surety, repayable within 10/15/20 months at 10% P.A. interest. Disbursed by President, Secretary, or Treasurer.
- Gold Loan Loan against gold ornaments at Rs. 9,500/- per gram valuation. Interest rate of 6% P.A. for 6 months (up to Rs. 19,500/-) and 10% P.A. for one year with no upper limit. Repayable within 12 months. First cooperative society in North India to offer Gold Loan service; outstanding gold loan portfolio of Rs. 40 Crores.
- Housing Loan Loan for purchasing house or flat up to Rs. 25 lakhs or 80% of property cost or 36 months net salary (whichever is less) at 10% P.A. interest. Repayment period up to 10 years. Processing fee Rs. 590/- with GST and admin charges 2% (minimum Rs. 5,000) + GST.
- Property Loan Loan against existing property on mortgage, maximum Rs. 20 lakhs or 50% of market price or 36 months net salary (whichever is less) at 10% P.A. interest.
- Vehicle Loan Loan for new vehicle purchase up to Rs. 5 lakhs or 80% of vehicle value (whichever is less) at 10% P.A. interest. Requires 2 sureties with at least one being a government employee and 2 years of membership with excellent payment history. Processing charges Rs. 354/- with GST.
- Soft Loan Interest-free loan from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 2 lakhs with no sureties required. Only one-time administrative charges apply.
- Secured Loan Loan above Rs. 5 lakhs up to Rs. 10 lakhs for property owners, requiring 4-5 normal member sureties instead of government employee sureties.
- Loan Against Deposits (FDs/SRDs) Loan against fixed deposits or special recurring deposits up to 90% of deposited amount at FD interest rate plus 2%.
- Swarna Kalpam Variant gold loan product offered by the society to members against gold ornaments.
- Compulsory Deposit (CD) Monthly thrift deposit with minimum Rs. 200/- per month contribution, earning 8% P.A. interest annually. Minimum limit Rs. 20,000 and maximum Rs. 1 lakh.
- Savings Deposit Account (SDA) Flexible savings account with 4% P.A. interest, unlimited deposits and withdrawals, and no TDS on withdrawal.
- Fixed Deposits Term deposits with interest rates of 4% (31 days to less than 6 months) and 7% (6 months and above but less than 1 year). Available to members only with no cash accepted. Loan against FD available up to 90% of FD amount at FD rate +2%.
- Special Recurring Deposits (SRD) Recurring deposit scheme with SRD-I (1 year) at 8% and SRD-II (2 years) at 9% interest rates.
- Legal Cell Free legal consultation service for members managed by Adv. Jose Abraham and senior advocates of the Supreme Court of India, covering property disputes, tenant issues, labor law violations, and consumer protection.
- Investment/Tax Cell Free consultancy service for members covering tax-saving measures, investments, PAN card assistance, and return submissions.
- Welfare Fund Insurance Free insurance cover for members ranging from Rs. 25,000 (new member) to Rs. 2,00,000 (35+ years membership), paid to spouse or dependents upon death of member.
- Library Service Free library service at the corporate office with Malayalam, English, and Hindi books (4,000+ book collection). Members may also donate books.
Quantifiable outcome
- 32,000+ members served over 35+ years
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Southern Star Operating
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Southern Star Operating technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Southern Star Operating partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators10 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Southern Star Operating competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Southern Star Operating financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Southern Star Operating leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Southern Star Operating funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Southern Star Operating M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Southern Star Operating
What does Southern Star Operating do?
Southern Star Co-operative Society is a member-owned urban thrift and credit cooperative that delivers affordable lending and deposit products to the Malayalee (Keralite) community residing or employed in Delhi/NCR. Its core offering spans 11 loan categories (Ordinary, Emergency, Gold, Housing, Property, Vehicle, Soft, Secured, Loan Against Deposits, Swarna Kalpam) and four deposit schemes (Compulsory Deposit, Savings Deposit Account, Fixed Deposits, Special Recurring Deposits), supplemented by free member services including Legal Cell, Investment/Tax Cell, Library, and a Welfare Fund insurance program.
Is Southern Star Operating a public or private company?
Southern Star Operating is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Southern Star Operating founded?
Southern Star Operating was founded in 1986. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Southern Star Operating based?
Southern Star Operating is headquartered in New Delhi, India, in the Asia region.
How does Southern Star Operating make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Loan Interest Income is the primary driver. The others are loan Processing and Administrative Fees, compulsory Deposit Interest Spreads and penal Interest and Charges.
Does Southern Star Operating have an API?
No public API is recorded for Southern Star Operating.
What industry is Southern Star Operating in?
Southern Star Operating's product category is Cooperative Banking (Thrift & Credit Society). Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSABAEAC, Community Development Credit Unions (CDCUs), with a secondary code of FSAKAGAA, Microloans & Working Capital Loans. Its NAICS code is 5221 and its SIC code is 6036.