1 FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND ITS PERFORMANCE IN TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT, TAMILNADU Dr.C. PARAMASIVAN, Assistant Professor &Research supervisor, P.MARISELVAM PhD ( FT) Research scholar , Department of commerce, Periyar EVR College Trichy, Tamilnadu ABSTRACT Financial Institutions in India consist of commercial banks, regional rural banks (RRBs), urban co-operative banks (UCBs), rural co-operative credit institutions, development finance institutions (DFIs), non banking financial companies (NBFCs), mutual funds and insurance organisations. This article is focused on the financial institutions and its performance in Tirunelveli district of Tamilnadu with reference to banking net work, deposits and advances positions and sector wise advances by the financial institutions in Tirunelveli district during the study period 2010-11. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Key words: financial institutions, banking network, advances and deposits, priority sectors Introduction Financial Institution is considered as a major component of financial system of the country which helps to promote the systematic flow of finance from the available hands to needed hands. These institutions are primarily established for the purpose of systematic and sustainable growth of the country. Presently many financial institutions are activity contributed to the Socio- economic development of the nation through its lending and advances. Indian financial institutions are grouped into banking and non banking financial institutions. Banking institutions are again classified into public sector banks,