🇧🇩 Banking System in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Internet outage, curfew: Default loans to soar, banks’ profit to dip

Bankers are dreading a big drop in their profits as their defaulted loans are likely to increase further due to the curfew and the five-day internet blackout.

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Internet outage, curfew: Default loans to soar, banks' profit to dip

ILLUSTRATION: REHNUMA PROSHOON

Bankers are dreading a big drop in their profits as their defaulted loans are likely to increase further due to the curfew and the five-day internet blackout.

The defaulted loans are likely to increase further as business people are suffering due to the ongoing unrest, said Naser Ezaz Bijoy, chief executive officer (CEO) of Standard Chartered Bangladesh.

At the end of March, total defaulted loans stood at a record Tk 182,295 crore, which is 11.10 percent of total disbursed credit, as per the latest published data of the central bank.

However, the actual volume of bad loans is at least three times the central bank figure, according to industry insiders.

Inflation may also increase in the coming days, Bijoy said.

Average inflation overshot the government's target of 7.5 percent in fiscal 2023-24; it stood at 9.73 percent.

"Not only was infrastructure damaged due to the unrest, but it also damaged the country's image -- the country will face a confidence crisis with investors," Bijoy said, adding that the priority now should be to bring the situation back to normal.

The bad loans will increase further as some business people have lost their capacity to repay the bank loans, said Anis A Khan, the former chairman of the Association of Bankers, Bangladesh Ltd (ABB), a platform of banks' chief executive officers and managing directors.

Already, some export orders of the garment sector have been cancelled amid the weeklong unrest, he said.

Banks' profitability will be impact adversely when they will have to keep higher provisioning for the higher bad loans, said Khan, also the former MD of Mutual Trust Bank.

There will be multiple effects on the banking sector and the overall economy because of the ongoing unrest, he said, adding that foreign investors will lose their trust in the country.

"It will be very difficult to rebuild the trust of foreign investors."

The country's economic capacity will be reduced because of infrastructural damage.

"There will be a need for incentive packages for business people but the government is facing a cash crisis of its own. So the overall economic situation is not so good," Khan added.

Borrowers failed to repay the bank loans and other payments amid the internet blackout and curfew, which will adversely affect the banking sector alongside the bank's profitability, said Mohammad Ali, managing director of Pubali Bank.

Last week, Bangladesh Bank instructed banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIS) to refrain from imposing fees or interest on delayed repayment of loan and saving scheme instalments and credit card bills between July 18 and July 25 if they clear their dues by the end of this month.

Banking services were stopped from 9 pm on July 18 for the countrywide internet blackout. From July 24, banking services were resumed on a limited scale, with many banks unable to conduct foreign transactions because of the slow internet.

"There is a lot of uncertainty regarding the economic situation in the coming days because of the recent unrest," said Zahid Hussain, a former lead economist of the World Bank's Dhaka office.

There will be a double blow to the economy compared with the Covid-19 pandemic period.

"One will be for the internet shutdown and the other will be for the nationwide curfew. This may adversely impact the country's exports and imports," he added.​

 

[Saif]

Monetary policy faces fresh challenges

The latest monetary policy, declared two weeks ago, seeks to keep the growth of domestic credit flow at a moderate level during the first half of the current fiscal year (FY25). It wants to keep the growth of private credit unchanged while allowing the public sector credit grow to a certain extent

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Depositors losing trust in banks
SYED FATTAHUL ALIM
Published :
Jul 28, 2024 21:52
Updated :
Jul 28, 2024 21:52

Of the many vulnerabilities that the country's banking sector is exposed to, its acute liquidity crisis is one. Tightening of money supply as part of the central bank's contractionary monetary policy, crisis in the forex market, slow pace of loan recovery, rising amount of bad loans, purchase of government bonds and securities by people and so on are the commonly discussed reasons for liquidity crunch in the banks. But over and above all these issues, there is yet another element that has factored in to deepen the bank's liquidity crisis. It is that the members of the public seem to have lost their interest in keeping their money in banks. As a result, banks are being forced to borrow money from the central bank to carry out their day-to-day business. The widespread violence and destruction that shook the nation in the wake of the students' movement for quota provision in government service has again been instrumental in making the public distrustful of the banking service. For it is during time of social unrest and crisis that people need money most to meet emergencies. But the complete internet shutdown for five consecutive days from July 19 to July 23, brought banking transaction to a complete halt. As the internet blackout came without any prior notice, so did the shutdown in the banking service.

To the members of the public, it was totally irresponsible on the part of the banks. Even the ATM booths went dysfunctional. But the banks had nothing to do either as the internet service was not under their control. The enforcement of curfew by the government to restore public order made matter worse. Nothing like this happened within the living memory of many who are below 50. Small wonder that there was a desperate rush at the banks and ATM booths on July 24, when the internet service hesitantly returned. It could be learnt that to meet the demands of some 30 cash hungry commercial banks, the Bangladesh Bank (BB), lent over Tk255 billion in cash to them. The commercial banks conducted their normal banking service with this borrowed money. Why did the banks have to turn to the BB for cash? The simple answer is that they did not have enough cash in their vaults to meet the demands of their depositors. People keep their money in banks for convenience and safety. But when the banks fail to serve them in times of need, let alone during serious emergencies, the public might then ask, what is the use of keeping their money in banks?

So, massive borrowing from the central bank to carry out normal banking is not a healthy sign for the banking sector. Neither is it safe for the central bank to continue doing so. For the central bank at a stage will be forced to print money against the advice of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help the commercial banks operate. The central bank has reportedly been doing so already to the detriment of its own policy of keeping money supply under control. But high-octane newly printed money will only defeat that purpose. It is indeed a recipe for disaster as continuation of this practice could pave the way for hyperinflation, a situation that the banking regulator must avoid under any circumstances. According to reports, on June 20 last, the bank notes issued by the central bank in the country was worth over Tk3.275 trillion. This was the highest number of bank notes ever issued in the country. Worse yet, the overwhelming portion, about 95 per cent, of the bank notes are circulating outside the banking system.

Obviously, the latest disruption in the banking service has further damaged public trust in the banks. The umpteen cases of looting of banks in connivance with top bank executives including the directors of private banks and failure, in most cases, of the banking regulator and the government to hold those looters and bank directors to account, has only contributed to further erosion of the public's trust in the banking system. The banking regulator has not been able to exercise its authority to put an end to the culture of inside-robbery in the banking sector, not to mention the pervasive culture of delinquency by the holders of non-performing loan accounts. How long are the common people going to stand this free-for-all in the banking sector? Some people are becoming billionaires not by doing any business, but by just looting public money kept in the banks! The common depositors cannot be blamed if they decide to withdraw their money from banks. It is, as it were, a return to the pre-banking era.

This does not simply pose a mortal risk to the banks alone. It also poses a danger to society itself. If the common depositors turn their back on the banking system, where are they going to save their money? By keeping it in their own homes? But that is yet another recipe for disaster because it will be an open invitation to robbers and thieves. The matter is going far beyond the jurisdiction of the banking regulator.

To make the matter worse, many expatriate workers reportedly were campaigning during internet disruptions against sending their remittance through the banking channel. If true, that's real bad news not only for the banking sector, but also for the country's foreign exchange reserves. After the very low record of remittance receipt in March this year, which was below two billion (actually, US$1.99billion plus), the highest ever record of remittance receipt in the last 47 months was in June at US$2.54 billion plus. But till July 24, the receipt recorded was a mere US$1.5 billion. Will the situation improve with resumption of the internet service?

Let's keep our fingers crossed that things may improve soon.​

 

[Saif]

Banks asked to join BB intranet

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) is trying to develop its own full-fledged banking-network system to prevent service disruptions during internet outages, officials and bankers said. As part of the plan, the central bank has initially developed an intranet and is asking commercial banks, financial institut

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Banks asked to join BB intranet
Smooth services during internet disruption
FE REPORT
Published :
Aug 02, 2024 00:12
Updated :
Aug 02, 2024 00:12

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) is trying to develop its own full-fledged banking-network system to prevent service disruptions during internet outages, officials and bankers said.
As part of the plan, the central bank has initially developed an intranet and is asking commercial banks, financial institutions and mobile financial services to join it.

This would allow them to run the services even if internet communications are completely cut off.

BB Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder made the call at a meeting with top executives of several commercial banks on Thursday, according to meeting sources.

The meeting was held to assess the damage to the banking sector caused by recent violence following student protests over job quotas.

Bankers reported physical damage and mentioned the five-day nationwide internet outage that severely disrupted banking operations across the country.

Seeking anonymity, a BB official who attended the meeting said the central bank has developed a separate IT infrastructure called an intranet. Some banks have already connected to this system and were able to serve customers during the internet shutdown.

At the meeting, the central bank asked all banks, MFS providers and financial institutions to connect to the intranet to ensure uninterrupted service, the official said.

The Internet is a global collection of computer networks. It is an open network, accessible to anyone with a device and an internet connection.

In contrast, the intranet is a closed online network, only accessible to company employees. Employees use some form of login to access the company intranet.

Contacted, Selim RF Hussain, chairman of the Association of Bankers Bangladesh Limited (ABB) and managing director and chief executive officer of BRAC Bank, said the country's banking system depends heavily on the internet for online services.

The recent nationwide internet shutdown severely affected banking operations, he said. The importance of a separate infrastructure for the banking industry came up at the meeting.

He said the central bank also shared its plan for a separate communications infrastructure that will be different from the public internet.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh Bank discusses 24/7 banking without internet

Bangladesh Bank has initiated discussions on how to keep banking services operational around the clock without relying on the internet. The discussions took place during a meeting between the managing directors (MDs) of about a dozen banks and Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder. During

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh Bank discusses 24/7 banking without internet
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Aug 01, 2024 22:13
Updated :
Aug 01, 2024 22:13

Bangladesh Bank has initiated discussions on how to keep banking services operational around the clock without relying on the internet.
The discussions took place during a meeting between the managing directors (MDs) of about a dozen banks and Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder.

During the meeting, the governor inquired about the losses and casualties in the banking sector amid the recent unrest.

It was then reported on behalf of the MDs that four employees from Dutch-Bangla Bank and Standard Chartered Bank were killed, and some ATM booths and branches were damaged.

The MDs also said that while bank branches were closed, ATMs remained operational. However, the internet shutdown disrupted online banking services.

The central bank then proposed an alternative system to keep banking services running without internet, and talks on this followed.

MDs from Sonali Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank, The City Bank, Eastern Bank, Mutual Trust Bank, BRAC Bank, Bank Asia, Prime Bank, and Trust Bank attended the meeting.​

 

[Saif]

Crisis in banks deeper than anyone could imagine

Experts and businesspeople yesterday urged the newly formed interim government to adopt urgent measures to ensure good governance in the banking sector, saying that the crisis in financial institutions is much deeper than anyone could imagine.

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Crisis in banks deeper than anyone could imagine
Experts call for urgent measures to ensure good governance

Experts and businesspeople yesterday urged the newly formed interim government to adopt urgent measures to ensure good governance in the banking sector, saying that the crisis in financial institutions is much deeper than anyone could imagine.

They also demanded punishment for those involved in financial crimes in banks and financial institutions.

"The banking sector has become fragile over the past 15 years during the rule of Sheikh Hasina-led government. The situation is even worse than one can imagine," said Selim RF Hussain, chairman of the Association of Bankers, Bangladesh.

That fragile state is illustrated by the amount of non-performing loans in the sector, which hit Tk 182,000 crore in March this year, up from around Tk 22,000 crore in 2009.

"You see the names of some banks in the newspaper [for corruption]. But many are yet to be unveiled," Hussain added.

Hussain made the remarks at a dialogue organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) at the Lakeshore Hotel in Dhaka to discuss and address the challenges facing the interim government.

It included representatives from civil society, economists, bankers, entrepreneurs and students.

After restoring law and order, the priority should be focusing on the banking sector, Hussain said.

"The interim government should revive the central bank and I think this has already started with the appointment of a new governor."

The banker also congratulated protesting students, saying: "We now have freedom of speech. We did not have it in the last 14-15 years."

Hussain, also managing director and chief executive officer of BRAC Bank, then criticised bureaucratic tangles in the system.

Shams Mahmud, director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, demanded stern action against corrupt directors of banks.

Accounts belonging to directors of scam-hit banks should be frozen and th
He also said it is important to prepare white papers to address data anomalies, especially in light of Bangladesh's impending graduation from least developed country status in 2026.

"There are major mismatches in the data based on which economic indicators were calculated. So, a white paper should be formulated on the actual economic scenario. Then we can have a vote. If a majority agrees, LDC graduation can be delayed by 10 to 15 years," he added.

Mahmud also labelled former National Board of Revenue Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem as the leader of corruption, saying he had destroyed the tax system.

The government removed Muneem from his post yesterday.

Inadequate revenue collection, slow pace of implementation under the Annual Development Programme, and significant government borrowing from the banking sector have squeezed the country's economy, according to Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the CPD.

"Hikes in commodity prices, rising default loans and a liquidity crisis in the banking sector, slow export earnings, slow flow of remittance, stagnation in private sector investment and other problems have to be resolved quickly," she said.

To boost the economy, initiatives must be taken to solve the problems plaguing the power and energy sector. The deterioration of foreign exchange reserves, the declining trend of imports, and the massive devaluation of the taka must also be addressed, Fahmida added.

Another issue is that a large portion of the youth remain unemployed due to a lack of employment opportunities stemming from bribery and corruption, unreasonable job expectations, financial constraints or because they are waiting to land government jobs.

AKM Fahim Mashroor, chief executive officer of Bdjobs.com, said the government had violated civil rights by spying through digital devices over the past 15 years.

"In an independent country, why am I not able to use technology freely?" he questioned.

He emphasised the disclosure of all types of software used to violate human rights and civil rights, adding: "A white paper is required to explain how civil and human rights have been curtailed."

He further mentioned that the entire banking sector had been tailored to support corporate entities, depriving small and medium enterprises.

Legal and constitutional reforms to prevent the return of injustice, corruption, and authoritarianism were sought by Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary at SHUJAN: Citizens for Good Governance.

He said three crimes occurred during the past government's tenure: crimes against humanity, criminal offences, and financial crimes. He added that the government should be given the chance to defend its actions in a fair trial.

Majumdar also lamented the use of law enforcement as a tool of the ruling party, he said.

One of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Movement, Nusrat Tabbassum, said the interim government should reform law enforcement agencies which were destroyed by the past government.

She further said the interim government should work to restore the country's reputation, which was lost when the government imposed a five-day internet blackout in mid-July to quell protests that left more than 500 people dead as of August 7.

Mushtaque Raza Chowdhury, convenor at Bangladesh Health Watch, said the interim government should form a health commission to make a roadmap and look into existing healthcare services.

Through this commission, it can leave a legacy for future governments, he said.

Prof Mustafizur Rahman, a distinguished fellow at the CPD, demanded justice for recent injustices and loss of lives.

"We need a platform or framework with students and general people. They will work as guarantors of the expected reforms, which help an inclusive society," he said.

"The country has fallen into a vicious cycle. We have deviated from economic progress due to high inflation, low investment and anarchy in the banking sector."

In the last 53 years, Bangladesh has overcome many first-generation challenges. But we still have not overcome second-generation challenges, he added.​

 

[Saif]

Urgent bank reforms are crucial

Recover bad loans, punish those who exploited the sector

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Urgent bank reforms are crucial
Recover bad loans, punish those who exploited the sector

VISUAL: STAR

Since the fall of the Awami League regime, there have been several chaotic incidents in the banking sector—from the resignation of Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor and other top officials to the conflicts between rival groups at the Motijheel branch of Bangladesh Islami Bank yesterday—sending out an alarming signal. These incidents are but an indication about how quickly a sector, long lying on the edge of the precipice, can unravel when push comes to shove.

A recent report by Prothom Alo sheds light on what led to the woeful state of this sector. It talks about the BB's questionable steps taken during the erstwhile government to keep several failing banks afloat by providing liquidity support without collateral; alleged unethical connections of the BB governor and deputy governors with top loan defaulters; and the change of ownership forced on several banks including the Islami Bank, creating an environment of mistrust. Moreover, the BB's choice of lending foreign currency loans from the reserve to various influential businesses through the export development fund, without proper evaluation, also resulted in many classified loans. Just think: 20 local businesses currently owe BB about $70 million taken out of the foreign currency reserve!

The default loan amount reported by BB—Tk 1.822 trillion—is also under scrutiny. Experts estimate that the actual figure would be close to four trillion, considering rescheduled and bad/written-off loans and those currently under legal dispute. Meanwhile, depositors of the failing banks, many of which were forced to change ownership, cannot withdraw their savings. Yet, the owners of the banks are taking out loans under different names.

While some of these irregularities were mentioned in the BB's own reports, several central bank officials allege that many such activities have remained out of BB's and Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit's regulatory radar. This raises serious questions about the responsibility and ethics of top officials of not just the central bank but also the governing bodies of several private and public commercial banks. There is no doubt that political appointments in the banking sector, incorrect or manipulative accounting practices, nepotism, and lack of transparency in the lending process brought the sector to its current state.

It is, therefore, imperative that the interim government urgently launches an investigation to find out the actual amount of default loans, and identify and bring to book the big defaulters along with officials who aided these questionable borrowings. Also, the government must prioritise depositors' interests and prevent any further withdrawal of money by the unholy nexus of unscrupulous owners, borrowers, and defaulters that are bleeding the sector dry.​

 

[Saif]

Why have loan defaults risen sharply?

However, NPLs rose 38.5 percent year-on-year to Tk 1,82,295 crore by the end of March, accounting for 11.11 percent of the total loans disbursed in the banking system, according to central bank data.

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Why have loan defaults risen sharply?

Default loans in the banking sector have hit a historic high at a time when the Bangladesh Bank has just provided a roadmap to reduce the volume of bad debts.

In line with conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for securing a $4.7 billion loan, the central bank in February unveiled a roadmap consisting of 17 action plans for reducing non-performing loans (NPLs).

However, NPLs rose 38.5 percent year-on-year to Tk 1,82,295 crore by the end of March, accounting for 11.11 percent of the total loans disbursed in the banking system, according to central bank data.

If written-off and rescheduled loans and loans with court injunctions are added, the actual volume of bad debts will be as much as Tk 5 lakh crore, industry people said.

This raises the question as to why NPLs have increased abnormally at a time when the government has promised to the IMF it would reduce it to a tolerable level by 2026.

There is no quick and easy answer in this regard as the problem persisted even after the central bank introduced a relaxed loan rescheduling and one-time exit policy for defaulters in 2019.

Under the policy, defaulters were allowed to regularise their loans for 10 years by only paying a 2 percent down payment instead of the existing 10 to 15 percent. And while this was a big benefit for defaulters, it acted as a slap in the face for good borrowers.

With bad loans in the banking sector amounting to Tk 94,330 crore when the policy was introduced, the then Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal had said NPLs were a matter of grave concern but still manageable.

"From today, NPL will not increase," he added while announcing the policy.

Other than the relaxed rescheduling policy, the BB unveiled several policy measures over the years in favour of borrowers and other vested quarters who influenced the policymaking.

For example, the cheaper loans thanks to the 9 percent lending rate cap, the loan moratorium facility amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and the loan classification facility were major policy supports. However, rather than reining in NPLs, these measures seem to have only motivated defaulters.

The central bank in April 2020 introduced the 9 percent lending rate cap that remained until June 2023. Borrowers who took loans during that period have to pay more than 16 percent now in interests. This perhaps has motivated many to refrain from paying their instalments.

Besides, borrowers enjoyed a loan moratorium benefit amid the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022. At the time, businesspeople did not have to repay bank loans. But when this facility was withdrawn, borrowers faced a sudden pressure to pay back and many eventually became defaulters.

For a long time, borrowers enjoyed easy repayment terms due to the loan classification facility. However, recently, the BB tightened the loan classification rules to be in line with the IMF prescription.

In April this year, the central bank tightened the definition of overdue term loans to conform to international best practices.

As per the new rules, banks have to treat a loan as overdue if a borrower does not make any instalment payment within three months after the due date while it was six months previously.

Additionally, irregularities, scams and weak corporate governance in the banking sector alongside the lack of proper monitoring by the BB are also responsible for the record levels of bad loans.​

 

[Saif]

Unearth all banking sector irregularities

Bring those involved in financial crimes to book

www.thedailystar.net

Unearth all banking sector irregularities
Bring those involved in financial crimes to book

VISUAL: STAR

Since the fall of the Awami League government, increasingly alarming information about the banking sector has begun to surface. Most recently, it was reported in this daily that Tk 45,000 crore is tied up in dubious loans. In a questionable practice, eight banks have provided loans to directors of other banks, posing considerable risks to the entire sector. According to their financial reports, loans totalling Tk 25,000 crore were exchanged among these eight banks for their directors by the end of 2023. In addition, four of these lenders provided around Tk 20,000 crore to the relatives of the bank directors. This means the total reciprocal loans sanctioned for these directors and their relatives amounted to Tk 45,000 crore, with most of these loans changing hands over the last five years.

It has been known for some time that the banking sector experienced massive irregularities under the AL government. However, the true extent of these irregularities—despite various issues being regularly reported—seems to be beyond anyone's wildest imagination. For example, these eight banks were known for their questionable practices and were allegedly linked to the recently ousted AL government. During Hasina's 15-year rule, powerful business groups with banking assets, including S Alam, Beximco, Nassa, and Sikder Group, thrived on murky politics and routinely bent banking rules, exposing the entire financial sector to serious risks. The names of these business groups have once again surfaced in relation to the irregularities that have occurred at these eight banks.

What is further concerning is that the combined contribution of the eight bank directors to the lenders' paid-up capital is only Tk 2,400 crore, or about five percent of the Tk 45,000 crore in loans they have taken from each other. Since most of these groups would have been unable to secure loans if their business practices and financial health had been properly assessed, and given that central bank rules prohibit a bank from lending to its own directors, they engaged in reciprocal lending. Moreover, many of these loans were approved based on the direct orders of the directors, with bank officials playing a minimal role, according to some mid-level bank officials. In other words, the bank directors essentially made up the rules as they pleased, putting depositors' and national interests at risk in the process.

However, it is unlikely that they could have carried out such risky manoeuvres without "managing" the regulator in one way or another. This represents another disastrous outcome of the politicisation of our regulatory authorities. Therefore, it is essential that the interim government continues to uncover such irregularities and identify those responsible for these corrupt lending practices. The truth about the health of our banking sector needs to be revealed, and those responsible for financial irregularities must be held accountable. Additionally, steps must be taken to protect depositors' interests and recover these loans from politically connected businesses and individuals.​

 

[Saif]

Banking sector reform: where and how?

We have been talking about banking sector reforms since long as our banking sector is plagued with insider lending, bad loans, low capitalisation and risk coverage, weak governance, sub-optimal automation, a lack of expert manpower and non-availability of better products to serve the emerging...

www.thedailystar.net

Banking sector reform: where and how?

We have been talking about banking sector reforms since long as our banking sector is plagued with insider lending, bad loans, low capitalisation and risk coverage, weak governance, sub-optimal automation, a lack of expert manpower and non-availability of better products to serve the emerging clients and cater their shifting demands.

Since the fall of the last regime, there have been several chaotic incidents in the banking sector—from the resignation of Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor and other top officials to the conflicts between rival groups at various banks, including Islami Bank—which send out an alarming signal.

These incidents are nothing but an indication about how quickly a sector, long lying on the edge of the precipice, can unravel when push comes to shove.

The leading vernacular daily the Prothom Alo and many other media as well as civil society forum, including expert groups from the development partners, at frequent intervals shed light on what led to the dismal state of this sector.

They talked about the BB's questionable steps taken during the erstwhile government to keep several almost failing banks afloat by providing liquidity support without collateral; alleged unethical connections of the BB governor and deputy governors with top loan defaulters; and the change of ownership forced on several banks even at the late hours including the Islami Bank, creating an environment of mistrust.

Moreover, the BB's choice of lending foreign currency loans from the reserve to various influential businesses through the Export Development Fund (EDF), without proper evaluation, also resulted in many classified loans.

I can't believe 20 local businesses currently owe BB about $70 million taken out of the foreign currency reserve.

The default loan amount of Tk 1.822 trillion itself is also under scrutiny. Experts estimate that the actual figure would be close to Tk 4 trillion if not more, considering rescheduled and bad/written-off loans and those currently under legal dispute as well as with doubtful security and collateral backing.

Meanwhile, depositors of the known to be weak banks, many of which were forced to change ownership, having tough time to withdraw their savings. Yet, the owners of the banks are taking out loans under different names.

While some of these irregularities were mentioned in the BB's own reports, several central bank officials alleged that many such activities have remained out of BB's and Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit's regulatory radar. This raises serious questions about the responsibility and ethics of top officials of not just the central bank but also the governing bodies of several private and public commercial banks.

There is no doubt that political appointments in the banking sector, incorrect or manipulative accounting practices, nepotism, weak due diligence and the lack of transparency in the lending process brought the sector to its current state.

New Governor has been appointed with good visibility re: the destination. Few deputy governors are also being reportedly recruited. Finance adviser himself is a former governor. Once they settle down well in their new roles, it is therefore, imperative that the interim government urgently launches an investigation to find out the actual amount of default loans, identify and bring to book the big defaulters along with officials who aided these questionable borrowings.

Like many other similar countries, the government must prioritise depositors' interests and prevent any further withdrawal of money by the unholy nexus or individuals close to the big offices, borrowers, and defaulters that are bleeding the sector dry.

Use of the political clout through sub-servient or susceptible to pressure officials must stop.

Though we must allow the government to clean the dust on the carpet first, an attempt to run a deep-dive and well-thought banking sector reform in keeping with ever evolving market scenario and globalisation warrants should also start soon. Otherwise, we can't make our banking sector inclusive and on the similar pace with other competing countries.

The writer is the chairman of Financial Excellence Ltd​

 

[Saif]

We need a bank commission that can drive radical reforms

But its objectives must be clearly defined and regularly scrutinised

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We need a bank commission that can drive radical reforms
But its objectives must be clearly defined and regularly scrutinised

VISUAL: STAR

We welcome the interim government's decision to form a banking commission to implement sustainable reforms in the sector. The formation of such a body has been a longstanding demand from economists, as the sector has suffered massive problems and regulatory failures for years, particularly under the Awami League regime. In 2009, when the party took office, non-performing loans (NPLs) in banks totalled Tk 22,480 crore. By March 2024, NPLs skyrocketed to around Tk 1,82,000 crore. The number would be even higher if not for the accounting frauds committed under the past regime to conceal the true picture.

Over the years, experts have underscored various institutional challenges plaguing the sector, including questionable appointment practices for bank directors, loans being granted and rescheduled ad infinitum, weak internal controls, writing off of loans for dubious reasons, etc. Regulatory weaknesses—such as the lack of independence of the central bank, political influence of habitual loan defaulters, arbitrary issuance of bank licenses, and the quasi-monopolistic power granted to a few banking oligarchs—have allowed these irregularities to occur unabated.

As a result of high NPLs, the fiscal flexibility of banks has also been seriously constrained. This has had numerous spillover effects both on the health of the banks and the overall economy. Given these realities, the country urgently needs a commission to unearth the true extent of the damage done to the sector. Without such an effort to bring transparency to the sector, it will be difficult to determine the necessary remedial solutions for it.

However, in establishing such a commission, its objectives should be clearly defined, as experts have suggested. These may include ensuring full transparency in the commission's operations, identifying the root causes that have led to the current banking problems and future challenges, determining which groups and institutions are responsible for these issues, and providing specific, actionable recommendations for reforms in the short to medium term. Moreover, the interim government should also establish a clear roadmap outlining when and how the commission's suggestions will be implemented.

To ensure that the commission is able to play its desired role, its members should not only be highly competent, experienced, and honest, but they should also engage with different stakeholders to gather their input. Regarding transparency, it is encouraging that the interim government plans to prepare and publish a report on the overall situation of the financial sector and a roadmap for reforms within the first 100 days of its tenure. However, once the commission is established, it should also provide regular updates on its progress to restore confidence in the banking sector. Additionally, to ensure its long-term health, it must be guaranteed that the commission can carry out its work without any external interference in the future.​

 

[Saif]

No special liquidity for ailing banks

Bangladesh Bank will no longer try to save any ailing bank by providing it special liquidity support, said Governor Ahsan H Mansur yesterday.

www.thedailystar.net

No special liquidity for ailing banks
BB governor says

Bangladesh Bank will no longer try to save any ailing bank by providing it special liquidity support, said Governor Ahsan H Mansur yesterday.

The central bank has suspended its special liquidity support for some Shariah-based banks, he said at a press briefing after meeting with a delegation of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) at the latter's office yesterday.

Seven banks, including six Shariah-based banks, have been facing a deficit in their current account balance with the central bank for more than a year.

The central bank was keeping those banks alive by providing special liquidity support. Only one recently showed signs of recovery.

Seven banks, including six Shariah-based ones, have been facing a deficit in their current account balance with the central bank

As of August 7, the remaining six lender's current account deficit with Bangladesh Bank stood at Tk 14,621 crore. However, the combined shortfall is Tk 20,774 crore if their cash reserve ratio deficit is considered, as per central bank data.

The ailing banks are National Bank, First Security Islami Bank (FSIBL), Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank and Bangladesh Commerce Bank.

Chattogram-based conglomerate S Alam Group has controlling stakes in all of these banks, except for National Bank.

Mansur said the banking regulator has already capped the lending activities of the six banks.

Replying to a question, Mansur said depositors have the right to withdraw money from the ailing banks, which would be liable for losing the confidence of their clients.

Against this backdrop, he said neither closing the banks or providing liquidity support was a solution.

Journalists also questioned how S Alam Group was allowed to control and take advantage of some weak Shariah-based banks.

In response, Mansur said the central bank has taken initiatives to prevent the withdrawal of funds by people who were responsible for ruining the financial health of these banks.

He added that a banking commission would soon be formed and the weak banks would have to cut down on their operations or merge with other banks under the banking commission, he added.

The new central bank governor also said the guilty or ill-motivated people would be caught but no business would be targeted.

"Action will be taken if any official, irrespective of the organisation, is found responsible," he said, adding that the same applies for central bank officials as well.

Regarding the ongoing inflationary pressure, Mansur said the inflation rate would come down to around 5 to 6 percent within the next seven to eight months.

The central bank will increase the policy rate until the inflationary pressure begins to decline, he added.

The business delegation led by FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam included former FBCCI president and BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo, BKMEA Executive President Mohammad Hatem and Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Kamran T Rahman.

The businesspeople present demanded punishment for people who scammed and looted banks in the pretext of doing business.

At the meeting, FBCCI President Alam urged to stabilise the interest rates on bank loans, ensure adequate US dollar supply and provide support to affected industries and commercial establishments.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh Bank suspends Nagad's digital banking licence

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has suspended the digital banking license granted to mobile financial service (MFS) provider Nagad as it would start a review of the licencing procedure, central bank governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur said on Thursday. “The Nagad digital banking licence has been put on hold whi

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh Bank suspends Nagad's digital banking licence
FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Aug 22, 2024 19:11
Updated :
Aug 22, 2024 19:22

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has suspended the digital banking license granted to mobile financial service (MFS) provider Nagad as it would start a review of the licencing procedure, central bank governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur said on Thursday.

“The Nagad digital banking licence has been put on hold while we conduct a thorough review,” Dr Mansur said during a briefing at the BB headquarters. “If Nagad meets the requirements after the review, the licence will be reinstated. Until then, it remains suspended.”

The central bank awarded the digital banking licence to Nagad in October last year. However, there have been allegations that the MFS service-providing entity availed the licence bypassing the existing rules following interventions by two influential persons linked to the recently ousted Awami League-led government.​

 

[Saif]

Banking reform must set its priorities right

Findings on the country's financial sector, in particular banking sector, by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) are believed to significantly help the interim government resuscitate the country's ailing banking sector. During a press conference last week titled "Bringing Discipline in the Banking

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Banking reform must set its priorities right
Wasi Ahmed
Published :
Aug 20, 2024 21:15
Updated :
Aug 21, 2024 21:04

Findings on the country's financial sector, in particular banking sector, by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) are believed to significantly help the interim government resuscitate the country's ailing banking sector. During a press conference last week titled "Bringing Discipline in the Banking Sector: What Should be Done Immediately," the think tank while highlighting shocking irregularities by some bank owners right under the nose of the former government, offered suggestions on some critical areas for the government to consider.

A key aspect of CPD's analysis is its challenge to long-held perceptions that were seen as vital to maintaining the banking sector. One such is allowing moribund banks to continue and not die, by injecting taxpayers' money. The CPD dismissed the notion saying banks that are "clinically dead" and surviving only through bail-outs, should be closed down. The interim government, it said, should formulate an exit policy focusing on protecting depositors' money. One may recall that years ago, then finance minister late M. A. Muhit was seen not only justifying but visibly flaunting the 'glory' of keeping dying banks afloat as a state responsibility. It's time the government took a decisive move in this direction.

That the banking industry is plagued with non-performing loans (NPLs) for decades is pretty well known. All that the former regime did was reschedule loans in a manner to suit the big loan defaulters. However, the actual figure relating to NPL varied. CPD's calculation says that during 2008-2023, Tk 92.26 billion, equivalent to 12 per cent of the national budget of FY24 or 2.0 per cent of the GDP of FY23, was embezzled in 24 major banking scams. Citing an example of misdirection in banking and finance, the CPD pointed out that a single corporation gained control over seven private commercial banks in 2017. It said, quoting news reports, that S Alam Group took out about Tk 30 billion in loan from Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd in 2022. According to the Bangladesh Bank roadmap for reducing NPLs, released to the media in February 2024, 72,543 cases were pending with the Money Loan Court, with an outstanding amount of BDT 178.27 billion.

There are innumerable instances, though not of such gigantic scale. Citing them will only make the list longer, and present a chilling picture of how outrageously errant could the banking sector be in the grip of the embezzlers. Clearly, it is the Banking Company Act that lent support to keep them going. In this connection the CPD said the Act should be amended so that there is only one member from one family on the board of directors, and the tenure of each director should be limited to 3 years, with each director allowed to serve a maximum of two terms in their entire lifetime. A single individual or group of individuals should not be allowed to obtain majority ownership of more than one commercial bank. Also, if one company in a group of industries defaults on loan repayment, companies in the same group of industries should not be allowed to take new loans.

Some corrective measures were also suggested that the think tank considered should be in place in respect of governance. One such is the shutting down of the Financial Institutions Division (FID) of the Ministry of Finance (MoF). "The mandate of the Financial Institutions Division (FID) is directly contradictory to the Bangladesh Bank Order 1972 (P.O. No. 127 1972) since it allows FID to exercise its authority to oversee Bangladesh Bank's governance" said CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun.

The think-tank while criticising the approval of licences for nine new private banks granted to politically influential owners by the previous regime, urged that no further bank licences be issued on political grounds without a thorough assessment of the economy's needs. On the issue of illicit financial flows, the CPD called for strengthening the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) to prevent illegal outflows and reentry of laundered money, which would destabilise the interim government or cause unrest. Another issue that the think tank stressed upon was timely data availability, urging that reports and data on individual banks and financial institutions be published regularly and made publicly accessible. It also recommended that all commercial banks comply with mandatory BASEL III disclosures in a timely manner. The Bankruptcy Act should be amended to include corporate bankruptcy and cross-border bankruptcy following the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency.

At this critical juncture, one crucial step that cannot be overstated, as highlighted by the CPD, is the urgent need for publication of a comprehensive white paper. This document should meticulously detail all instances of scams and corruption, clearly identifying both the underlying causes and the individuals responsible. Such transparency would not only pinpoint past misconduct but also pave the way for greater accountability in the future, including the establishment of an independent Banking Commission to oversee the sector. In this context, it is particularly pertinent to revisit the infamous Bangladesh Bank heist of February 2016, where hackers made off with a staggering sum of money. Many believe that this incident was never thoroughly investigated, possibly due to efforts to shield those who were negligent in their duties. The failure to properly address this scandal has left lingering doubts about the commitment to transparency and accountability within the financial system. By addressing these issues head-on in the white paper, the authorities could finally confront the systemic flaws that have allowed such incidents to occur, thus restoring public trust and ensuring that similar breaches of security and ethics do not happen in the future.​

 

[Saif]

UK keen to help Bangladesh reform banking, revenue sectors

The United Kingdom (UK) has expressed their keen interest to help Bangladesh reform its banking and revenue sectors alongside the capital market. The interest surfaced as the UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke called on Finance Adviser to the interim government Dr Salehuddin Ahmed at h

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

UK keen to help Bangladesh reform banking, revenue sectors
BSS
Published :
Aug 27, 2024 12:59
Updated :
Aug 27, 2024 15:27

The United Kingdom (UK) has expressed their keen interest to help Bangladesh reform its banking and revenue sectors alongside the capital market.

The interest surfaced as the UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke called on Finance Adviser to the interim government Dr Salehuddin Ahmed at his Economic Relations Division (ERD) office in the city on Tuesday.

After the meeting, the finance adviser said the UK is willing to help Bangladesh reform sectors like banking, revenue and capital markets.

"Those are very immediate concerns for us also. Because, unless we carry out those reforms it would be difficult for us," he told reporters after the meeting.

The adviser said they have discussed enhancement of trade and commerce between the two countries.

"We want that the trade and commerce should flourish. The UK government was very helpful in the past and I hope that they will be helpful in the coming days as well. We are looking forward to their help and cooperation," he said.

The finance adviser and the British envoy also discussed the cooperation between Bangladesh and the UK.

Dr Salehuddin mentioned that the UK is working mainly in economic development and women's empowerment, adding, "We will continue those as well. Private sector investment is also very much important. Big business houses of Britain have invested here," he added.

The adviser said that he told them to diversify the import items from Bangladesh as his country mainly exports RMG items to the UK and the European countries.

He also said that Bangladesh will have to improve the business environment to attract more private investment.

"For that, the condition is to make business environment, ease doing business that means we have to fix the climate of doing business, otherwise private sector will not come," he said.

Mentioning that the discussion was very fruitful, the British high commissioner said the UK and Bangladesh had a very strong economic, trade and investment relations.

"We're very keen to expand our trade and investment ties and we also discussed how the UK can support the economic reforms in Bangladesh that the adviser is leading and how we may jointly work to bring our experts together to discuss the issues of economic reform and also how we can boost our trade and investment ties between the two countries,"

Responding to a question on mobilizing more FDI from the UK, she said that the UK has a very strong partnership with Bangladesh.

"We've a very strong and investment environment. Off course, we would like to see more FDI into Bangladesh," she added.

The envoy said the British investors for sure are responsible investors, adding, "I discussed with the adviser how we can build investors' confidence and strengthen our trade and investment ties."

Replying to another question, Sarah Cooke said she also discussed the economic reforms that Bangladesh was prioritizing and how the UK can support Bangladesh in this regard.​

 

[Saif]

Fixing boards of ailing banks is first step for good governance

Reconstituting the board of directors of ailing banks is the first step towards bringing good governance and discipline to the banking sector, according to Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur.

www.thedailystar.net

Fixing boards of ailing banks is first step for good governance
BB governor says in interview

Reconstituting the board of directors of ailing banks is the first step towards bringing good governance and discipline to the banking sector, according to Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur.

The country's central bank has already reconstituted the board of some banks in which S Alam Group held a majority stake, Mansur said in a recent interview with The Daily Star.

The eminent economist was appointed as governor of the Bangladesh Bank on August 14. He replaced Abdur Rouf Talukder, who stepped down from the post following the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5.

Of the banks with reconstituted boards, S Alam Group held a roughly 80 percent stake in Islami Bank Bangladesh, Social Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank and Union Bank.

The central bank governor said they will take over the shares of S Alam Group against its liabilities to these banks in order to sell them and return depositors' funds.

The boards of two other lenders -- National Bank and United Commercial Bank -- were also reformed.

Mansur informed that, in most cases, they are reconstituting the preliminary board of ailing banks. Regarding the selling of S Alam's shares, he said this would allow new sponsor directors to come to the boards.

"The new sponsor directors could be from home or abroad. Shares will be available for all investors," Mansur added.

However, the central bank governor also said they will ensure that only fit and proper people assume the post.

"Honest people with strong financial condition are needed as sponsor directors for ailing banks," he said. "We will go after the assets of borrowers or directors like S Alam if needed."

Regarding the recovery of laundered money, Mansur said the Bangladesh Bank and other related authorities will speak with counterparts abroad to bring back the funds.

"We will also seek support from the World Bank," he added, informing that the US government was interested in helping in this regard.

"We will not give up anything we can recover."

Furthermore, Bangladesh is already in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other multilateral agencies for additional loans.

"We are thinking about foreign loans to create some breathing space and have discussed with the IMF to access their funds," Mansur said.

Bangladesh is also holding discussions with the World Bank for additional budget support, sectoral support lending or programme lending.

"Additionally, we have started talking with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and are hopeful that the multilateral lenders will allow funds to help rebuild our forex reserves," Mansur added.

The country's foreign exchange reserves stood at $20.48 billion as per the IMF calculation on August 21, showed central bank data.

The forex reserves have been falling for the last three years as the outflow of foreign currencies exceeded inflow.

Regarding the country's economic situation, the Bangladesh Bank governor said the first problem is cost disruption while the second is flooding across the country.

"The country is facing lots of supply chain disruptions that we cannot control. We can only try to control the demand side. And the new government is trying to do that."

Mansur also said bank interest rates have been market-driven since May as prescribed by the IMF and various economic experts.

The former government was forced to remove the single-digit ceiling on interest rates and allow them to be market-driven while also doing the same for foreign exchange rates.

The forex market has become more stable since then, he said. "I am hopeful that exchange rate stability will prolong as global commodity price shocks are not there."

Regarding remittances, Mansur said the inflow is positive and they will see if it sustains in coming days.

"Remittance inflow in the first 20 days of this month is much higher compared to the same period last year," he added.​

 

[Saif]

Banking sector reform hinges on resolving political issues: experts

Economists and experts on Friday said that current problems of the financial sector could not be resolved without addressing the underlying political problems, as economic outcomes were connected to the...

www.newagebd.net

Banking sector reform hinges on resolving political issues: experts
Staff Correspondent 30 August, 2024, 22:07

Economists and experts on Friday said that current problems of the financial sector could not be resolved without addressing the underlying political problems, as economic outcomes were connected to the country’s political settlement.

At a webinar titled ‘Eviction of Influence in the Banking Sector: Will It Alleviate the Misery?’ organised by Forum for Bangladesh Studies, experts blamed bad politics and poor governance as the root cause for severe crimes and corruption within the country’s banking sector.

Abdul Mannan, former managing director of Islami Bank, said that on January 5, 2017, he was taken by intelligence officials and coerced into signing his resignation letter.

He alleged that the resignation letter, signed under pressure, was written on an unused pad from Islami Bank, which had not been used since the bank’s establishment in 1983 up to the present year, 2024.

The controversial S Alam Group forcibly took over Islami Bank on January 5, 2017.

He said that officials from the Bangladesh Bank worked late into the night to expedite the change of ownership of Islami Bank on that very same day.

He questioned how such practices could be tolerated in a country’s banking sector, which was crucial to the economy.

Mannan also noted that in the following years, the Bangladesh Bank overturned many decisions over phone with the influential business group.

He called for actions to prevent such occurrences in the future, emphasising the need for stringent measures and supervision to ensure that similar coercive and irregular practices do not happen again.

Mannan said that independence of the Bangladesh bank was crucial to overcome the crises of the banking sector.

‘I am optimistic that if the central bank remains independent and if managing directors of banks are freed from control of board of directors, the sector could reach new heights within a year,’ he added.

Mannan, who lived seven and a half years abroad and recently returned to the country after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, said that he was fearful whether or not he would be able to breathe freely upon his return to Bangladesh.

‘I now feel that I have the freedom to speak, but overcoming that fear will take time. I need more time to truly breathe freely,’ he said.

Mamun Rashid, chairman of Financial Excellence, said that the S Alam model had thrived in the banking sector due to deficiencies in good governance and the existing financial sector problems would not be solved without addressing the political problems

Good governance in the banking sector cannot be achieved without ensuring overall accountability throughout the country, he said.

Mamun stated that there were instances where a large amount of loans was disbursed to the S Alam Group in the morning, and by evening, the money had been siphoned out of the country through hundi.

The economist said that there were numerous allegations of large cash withdrawals from banks under S Alam’s control after banking hours, but none of these allegations were investigated.

He also alleged that a former deputy governor of the Bangladesh Bank, SK Sur Chowdhury, was responsible for facilitating influential figures in siphoning cash out of the country from the banks.

Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, development studies department professor at the University of Dhaka, said that transparency of institutions and organisations largely depended on political settlement of the country.

He said that it was widely known that there was a huge amount of bad loans in the country but there was no scope to know the real figure due to manipulation exercised by regulatory authorities.

Titumir demanded that a forensic audit be conducted in the banking sector to know the real picture of bad loans and who were involved with the process.

Describing the state of the banking sector ‘worse than a severely ill patient,’ he said that protecting the interests of depositors and small and medium entrepreneurs should be central to the sector’s reforms and reconstruction.

‘It is crucial to establish the principle that depositors are the owners of banks. Otherwise, the aspirations of martyrs of the student-led mass uprising will not be realised,’ Titumir said.

He also emphasised the need for implementing financial sector reforms with consideration of Bangladesh’s specific context.

Titumir recommended establishing an Islamic banking wing within the Bangladesh Bank, which should operate in accordance with international standards.

Badiul Alam Majumder, secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik, held unethical politics responsible for the fraud and corruption in the banking and financial sectors.

Political motives and directives were behind the takeover of Islami Bank, as politics was serving the interests of specific groups rather than the well-being of the public, he said.

Badiul Alam mentioned that the ousted government faced a legitimacy crisis due to holding controversial elections.

Due to the legitimacy crisis, the outgoing government created crony groups, which have since taken over financial institutions, he said.

Badiul Alam mentioned that the situation would not improve unless the right leadership was elected through proper elections.​

 

[Saif]

The renaissance of Bangladesh Bank and some expectations

We hope that the BB governor will continue the momentum and spirit to bring order and promote the economy.

www.thedailystar.net

The renaissance of Bangladesh Bank and some expectations
We hope that the BB governor will continue the momentum and spirit to bring order and promote the economy

ILLUSTRATION: BIPLOB CHAKROBORTY

The newly appointed Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor, Dr Ahsan H Mansur, has effectively started the reformation of the country's banking sector without delay. This is most hopeful as it has long been overdue. The new governor, being a strong proponent of macroeconomic governance, started his day with the bitterest task of swooping down on the top financial hooligans who simply emptied the banking sector through a wholehearted pairing with corrupt politicians in power. An objective assessment of what is happening at the central bank heralds the advent of a dark chapter for the oligarchs who plundered both the capital market and numerous banks simultaneously under the interest of the past rulers.

What the governor has kicked off is no less than a renaissance since his actions have begun to storm the castles and forts of the economic mafia who never thought of being caught red-handed because they governed the government. His prime actions endorse the importance of correcting institutions before talking about theoretical aspects. Dr Mansur is a sound pro-market economist who has equal respect for Smithian ethical doctrines, and he has not deviated from that: his market-based rules for exchange and interest rates are a testimony to that. He has remained different from his predecessors by signalling to the market that he will go after the money launderers and bank looters before fixing theoretical macro irregularities.

The revival of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) is also a significant move. BFIU was like a cat without teeth under the two previous governors, while the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was like an anaemic tiger without claws. Both the institutions are prerequisites for the well-functioning of Bangladesh Bank. The political domestication of both BFIU and ACC impeded BB's desired actions in many regulatory aspects. The judicial tardiness of default litigations at higher courts eventually made BB dysfunctional as a financial regulator. That is why many economists advocated for BB to have some magisterial powers to punish the wrongdoers at its own discretion.

The political domestication of both BFIU and ACC impeded BB's desired actions in many regulatory aspects. The judicial tardiness of default litigations at higher courts eventually made BB dysfunctional as a financial regulator. That is why many economists advocated for BB to have some magisterial powers to punish the wrongdoers at its own discretion.

Although the new BB governor has infused blood into the BFIU, pairing with the ACC or higher courts remains beyond his capacity. And that bureaucratic labyrinth will again give refuge to the wrongdoers when the next elected regime begins. The time has come to make some reform so BB can complete the task of judgement and punishment within the financial regulatory framework. Going to the ACC or courts for straightforward financial verdicts is just a waste of time and energy—a rigmarole which eventually helps the culprits. This injustice induces new entrepreneurs to default wilfully since dishonesty pays better. People want an end to this culture to make the banking system fair and self-propelled. We believe the banking commission, which is presumably under construction, will figure out what to do in this respect to remove the trap of judicial bureaucracy.

The institutional damage done by the immediate past BB governor, who was forced to resign after the collapse of the Awami League regime, may be vast quantitatively, but qualitatively it is perverted and infectious. The lax rules he endorsed for the loan delinquents—such as getting rid of the stigma as a defaulter by only adjusting 5-10 percent of defaulted loan—are hard to reverse. The past governor, a retired bureaucrat with no background in economic scholarship but noted as a lobbyist, endorsed a Chattogram-based business group to engulf a couple of banks, as the BB has recently revealed.

The new governor's day dawns with the fight against that vicious conglomerate, which syphoned off millions of dollars from their possessed banks through terrible malpractice and the judicial impunity of the past government. This crusade will give the Bangladesh Bank a tough time. Economists who believe in ethics and politicians who respect minimum fairness must stand beside the new governor so he can bring some semblance of order in the country's banking system and punish the culprits by seizing their assets to adjust for their thefts. He wants to treat the cancer first before giving vitamins to the patient. And that makes him different from other policymakers.

We hope that the BB governor will continue the momentum and spirit to bring order and promote the economy. The prime objective of the central bank is to maximise employment and growth subject to maintaining a moderate level of inflation. The governor should require the banks to report their internal employment figures as well as annual profit figures. The banking administration will remain half-broken if the Financial Institutions Division (FID) at the finance ministry is not eliminated. The pay structure at banks is highly hierarchical and unfair. That must be addressed too. The interim government should appoint a competent leader at the competition commission, which is another example of a domesticated species with a retired bureaucrat at its helm. Institutional leadership must be merit-based, not just qualified for clerical work with unquestionable obedience.

Finally, Economic Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed and BB Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur must step in a highly measured way to form the banking commission, which will delink political clout from banking affairs for the sake of establishing a corporate culture so the financial sector can see some light at the end of the tunnel. To make it happen, the governor's position must be made constitutionally powerful to strike the final note of the renaissance.

Dr Birupaksha Paul is a professor of economics at the State University of New York at Cortland in the US.​

 

[Saif]

Fixing our banks, building a more robust banking system

With the right solution mix and proper political resolve, Bangladesh can come out of this predicament with a far better foundation for future growth

en.prothomalo.com

Fixing our banks, building a more robust banking system
Tawhid Ali
Published: 06 Sep 2024, 09: 42

The Bangladesh BankFile photo

When asked why he robbed banks, the famous American bank robber, Willie Sutton, famously quipped “because that’s where the money is.” It seems that many of our leading business leaders have adopted a similar mindset over the past fifteen years. Regrettably for our nation, they have become alarmingly adept at robbing banks.

The Bangladeshi banking system is in a precarious situation. The causes of this predicament are well-documented by various analysts (Centre for Policy Dialogue has produced several well-researched presentations). There is a consensus on how we arrived at this juncture and the magnitude of the issues we face. There is also an agreement that reforming our banks and regulatory framework is crucial since banks are the primary source of credit in our economy, and without an effective credit system, our economy cannot function.

As a Bangladeshi citizen with significant experience in financial markets in New York and London, I wish to share my perspective. We should not panic. Fortunately, the problems faced by Bangladeshi banks are not unprecedented and compare favourably to crises I have witnessed elsewhere. We will need an audit to get a true picture, however various sources put the country’s NPL ratio at around 10-15% of total loans outstanding. So even if we were off and NPL were to double to 30%, that would be lower than situations I have faced (for example, Ukraine banks’ NPL ratio reached over 50% in 2018, Greece’s NPL ratio also exceeded 50% in 2015, Turkey peaked at 30% in 2000). There are multiple solutions to this mess. My confidence stems from my two-decade career in finance, during which I observed numerous global banking crises.

Young people today may not recall that our global financial system nearly collapsed fifteen years ago. During that time, developed economies like the US, UK, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Iceland had to bail out their banks and reassess their banking regulations. Each country had similar options but chose different paths based on political feasibility and philosophical leanings. Some took longer than others. Some solutions worked better than others.

In all situations, banks were adequately recapitalized, bad assets disposed of, and regulations changed. In some cases (like the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, and Iceland), economic growth returned, and the size of the economy today is larger than it was pre-banking crises. But in other situations (Italy, Spain, and Greece), the economy remains much smaller than it was before the problems. I believe with the right solution mix and proper political resolve, Bangladesh can come out of this predicament with a far better foundation for future growth.

We will need to create a robust independent bank regulator to prevent politically connected individuals from securing excessive loans

Here are some lessons I’ve learned that could be particularly relevant for Bangladesh:

1. Government intervention is necessary but can be “light-touch” with multilateral agency assistance. Some countries even profited from intervening in troubled banks (although that sounds pretty optimistic in Bangladesh’s case right now).

2. Fixing the banks' capital structure is crucial. A thorough audit of each bank will help understand their true state and how much capital is needed. To the extent feasible, banks should be given the opportunity to raise this capital in private markets. The Government can come in as a provider of last resort and its terms need to reflect that.

3. Weak banks should be wound up. Their productive assets can be taken over by relatively stronger banks, leading to increased concentration initially but solvable later with the granting of new licenses.

4. We should establish an asset management company (AMC) to handle troubled assets independently. The government can provide the equity needed for the AMC and can provide guarantees; however, the AMC needs to be able to act independently and within the current judicial system to work out the troubled assets. AMCs are not guaranteed to succeed when systems have high levels of troubled assets; however, in the right circumstances, they can help solve much of the problem without significantly burdening public finances.

5. We will need to create a robust independent bank regulator to prevent politically connected individuals from securing excessive loans. We need to remember that our banks did not get into trouble because they were being greedy or acting imprudently. Our solution space needs to acknowledge that as an emerging economy, our banks will always face political pressure to lend, so our regulatory framework needs to develop with an eye towards curtailing that. We also need to tread carefully here as there can be many unintended consequences for poor regulations. If we come down too hard on the banks, they will not lend, and our economy will suffer.

Finally, while its outside my immediate area of expertise, I believe we will need to enhance Bangladesh’s legal framework to facilitate a distressed asset market. Banks will always extend and pretend if the regulators allow them. Creating an effective mechanism for private parties to come in and take the troubled assets off the banks' balance sheets will be essential going forward.

Defaulters have gotten away in Bangladesh for decades. We need to put a stop to that. I am optimistic that we can.

* Tawhid Ali is a global public markets equity portfolio manager with over two decades of investing experience. He was Chief Investment Officer at Alliance Bernstein (AB) and a management consultant with McKinsey & Company.​

 

[Saif]

Global lenders to finance banking reforms

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank are expected to provide funds to Bangladesh for banking sector reforms, including strengthening and modernising the central bank.

www.thedailystar.net

Global lenders to finance banking reforms

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank are expected to provide funds to Bangladesh for banking sector reforms, including strengthening and modernising the central bank.

The decision came following two separate meetings at the Bangladesh Bank (BB) headquarters on Monday between central bank officials and delegations of the ADB and World Bank.

The ADB is likely to disburse $1.3 billion towards Bangladesh's efforts to reform the banking sector and modernise the BB, central bank officials who attended the meetings told The Daily Star.

They added that the fund is likely to be distributed across three years, with $500 million coming in the first year, $500 million in the second year and $300 million in the third year.

They further said the World Bank is likely to disburse $400 million for banking reforms, including modernisation and capacity-building of the central bank.

The World Bank delegation wanted to know more about the planned banking reforms, so central bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur described the initiatives to them, according to the officials.

The ADB delegation met with the central bank's Financial Sector Support and Strategic Planning Department, but other senior officials were also present at the meeting.

On the other hand, the World Bank delegation met with the central bank governor while senior officials from the Banking Regulation and Policy Department, and the Department of Offsite Supervision were present.

Contacted, Md Habibur Rahman, deputy governor of the central bank, told The Daily Star that the ADB and World Bank would provide technical and other required support to reform the banking sector.

After joining as central bank governor, Mansur, a prominent economist, has moved swiftly to reform the banking sector, which became plagued by irregularities and scams during the previous government's rule.

The central bank has already reconstituted the board of directors of 11 banks.

When the Awami League won the first of four consecutive elections in 2008, non-performing loans in the banking sector stood at Tk 22,480 crore.

By the end of June this year, the amount had soared to over Tk 200,00 crore, accounting for over 12 percent of total disbursed loans in the banking system, as per Bangladesh Bank data.​

 

[Saif]

ফেরানো হয়েছে ব্যাংক খাতের বাহিরে যাওয়া ৩০ হাজার কোটি টাকা |

 

[Saif]

Banking sector issues that the new governor should address

Good governance and adequate legal infrastructure—relevant laws, courts and impartial judges—need to be established.

www.thedailystar.net

Banking sector issues that the new governor should address
Good governance and adequate legal infrastructure need to be established

According to the Basel Accords, banks in Bangladesh need to maintain a minimum capital of 12.5 percent of risk-weighted assets. PHOTO: STAR

The economy of Bangladesh is heavily dependent on the banking sector as 86 percent of financial intermediation is conducted through banks. But this reliance has led to many problems for the economy in general and the banking sector in particular. Commercial banks typically provide small and short-term loans to a wide range of borrowers. By offering small loans to many borrowers, banks can build a well-diversified portfolio, which is crucial for minimising risk. A short-term loan with high turnover rate can be issued multiple times a year, increasing profit. However, instead of granting small loans, our banks tend to prioritise large loans, which they are able to do within the legal framework.

A large loan is defined as one that constitutes at least 10 percent of a bank's capital. A bank can sanction a loan of up to 25 percent of its capital to finance power sector projects. Within this framework, just four such borrowers could take up all of the bank's capital. If these borrowers default, the bank would become insolvent.

A bank can grant a borrower 15 percent of its capital as funded loans, which require immediate disbursement, and 20 percent as non-funded loans, which require delayed disbursement. As such, a borrower can get a loan of up to 35 percent of the bank's capital. In such a scenario, only three borrowers can deplete the bank's entire capital. In case of export financing, a borrower can receive a loan of up to 50 percent of the bank's capital, with the funded exposure not exceeding 15 percent of the bank's capital. In this case, only two borrowers could consume the bank's capital. When banks issue large loans, they fail to build a diversified investment portfolio, leading to an imbalance between risk and return.

The availability of large loans hinders the growth of our stock market. Banks are involved in indirect finance, where they collect funds from depositors and lend them to borrowers. Borrowing from banks is easier because borrowers are accountable to banks, not to the depositors. In contrast, stock markets are involved in direct finance where borrowers have to obtain funds directly from the suppliers of capital. Here, borrowing firms have to win over suppliers of funds through their performance, ultimately reflected in their share prices. In an efficient market, it is very difficult for less creditworthy borrowers to raise funds. However, due to our banking sector being plagued by ill-governance, less creditworthy borrowers—with political connections—can easily convince banks to grant loans.

When banks provide long-term loans from their short-term deposits, it imposes major risks on their depositors. Granting large loans goes against the basic principle of bank lending, as it creates maturity mismatch wherein depositors' claims to the bank mature earlier than banks' claims to borrowers. This can lead to liquidity problems, making it difficult for banks to honour customers' cheques. Large loans are also more likely to default. In contrast, small loans contribute significantly to the economy by reducing income inequality between the rich and the poor, and the default rate for small loans is low. Therefore, every bank should allocate a certain percentage of its funds for small loans.

Restrictions should be placed on single-borrower exposure and large loans from banks. As a result, large borrowers will turn to the stock market—and policymakers will be more diligent in developing this market from its precarious condition.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) regularly discloses non-performing loans (NPLs)—the latest reported amount is Tk 1,82,295 crore, compared to just Tk 22,481 crore in 2009. However, there is always doubt about the accuracy of its reported NPL figures. A true picture of distressed assets should include not only NPLs but also write-off loans, rescheduled loans, and loans stuck in courts. This would provide a more accurate assessment of the banking sector's asset quality. The NPL rate of 10.11 percent in 2023, as reported by BB, would increase to roughly 30 percent if all distressed assets were considered. In an attempt to reduce the ever-growing NPLs, the central bank has frequently changed loan classification rules, deviating from international standards. Despite these efforts, the usual growth of NPLs has not been curbed.

When a loan becomes non-performing, BB permits loan rescheduling where a loan is renewed or extended under circumstances that are beyond the control of the borrower. The rescheduling is allowed a maximum of three times, examining the causes for the loan's non-performance. The down payment for rescheduling ranges between 10 and 30 percent of the outstanding loan and the time limit never exceeds three years.

Despite the large number of banks in our country, many people are still outside the banking network. This is a contradiction. The rural poor are less interested in maintaining bank accounts, while the urban poor keep their money in semi-formal and informal repositories. So, should we reduce the number of banks through merger and acquisition?

For the past decade, loan rescheduling has been permitted by breaking existing rules. Moreover, in 2015, a loan restructuring facility was provided to 15 large borrowers with loans of Tk 500 crore and above, upon receiving a down payment of only 2 percent of the outstanding loan amount. The loan terms were extended to 10 years.

There are huge political repercussions when NPLs rise. While there is less fuss about write-off loans, a write-off loan represents the worst state of NPLs. The amount of write-off loans stood at Tk 51,560 crore in 2023, up from Tk 15,300 crore in 2009. BB also relaxed the rules for loan write-off. Earlier, to write a loan off, it needed to remain unpaid for five years, a 100-percent provision needed to be maintained, and a case was required to be filed against the borrower. Later, the unpaid period of an NPL was reduced from five to three years, allowing banks to quickly remove their worst loans from the balance sheet.

If BB wants to reduce NPLs, the nexus between business and politics must be broken so that politically connected individuals cannot intentionally default on loans. Good governance and adequate legal infrastructure—relevant laws, courts and impartial judges—need to be established. Borrowers have to be evaluated properly before loan sanctioning. Rules for loan rescheduling, restructuring and write-off must be strictly enforced.

According to the Basel Accords, banks in Bangladesh need to maintain a minimum capital of 12.5 percent of risk-weighted assets. Some banks consistently face capital deficit. Data shows that the capital shortfall of 10 private and public banks in the country reached Tk 39,655 crore in 2023.The capital base of our banks is also relatively low because of high NPLs and low reinvestment of profits. Bank owners are more interested in taking profits as dividends rather than reinvesting them as retained earnings.

There is also continuous capital flight from rural to urban areas. Data shows that even though rural areas supplied nearly 13 percent of deposits in 2010, they obtained only 8 percent of advances. The supply of deposits by rural people increased to 21 percent in 2023, but they received only 12 percent of advances—a capital flight of 9 percentage points to urban areas. The misuse of loans by wilful defaulters in urban areas poses a threat to rural depositors. To address this, more opportunities for using loans in rural areas should be created.

The overall expenditure management of banks is still not efficient. Data indicates that the expenditure-income ratio was around 99 percent on average between 1991 and 2000. It declined considerably to 73 percent in 2010 before increasing to 81 percent in 2023. These high ratios may be attributed to high staff salaries, provision for default loans, and high corporate tax rates. The elevated expenditure should be controlled as it is offset mainly against low pay to depositors.

Despite the large number of banks in our country, many people are still outside the banking network. This is a contradiction. The rural poor are less interested in maintaining bank accounts, while the urban poor keep their money in semi-formal and informal repositories. So, should we reduce the number of banks through merger and acquisition? Once the number of banks is reduced, it might be beneficial to increase their branches to spread services to remote areas and take advantage of economies of scale. These decisions should be made prudently.

Md Main Uddin, PhD is professor, Department of Banking and Insurance, University of Dhaka.​

 

[Saif]

Restoring trust in the banking sector

Lately, I have been receiving calls from friends and family asking which banks are safe or if they should withdraw their deposits from a particular bank.

www.thedailystar.net

Restoring trust in the banking sector

Lately, I have been receiving calls from friends and family asking which banks are safe or if they should withdraw their deposits from a particular bank. There were reportedly some bank branches, which couldn't encash small cheques from their clients and even clearing cheques were returned by a few banks for a shortage of funds.

The situation has worsened with Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur listing 10 commercial banks as bankrupt. Of course, depositors even with some good banks are panicked, apprehending a dent in the overall banking sector. Newspapers have reported of huge cash being held in the family vaults and beneath the pillow i.e. outside banking. An adviser to the interim government was also heard to be in problems with their very large government deposits being stuck with much scandalised Padma bank.

The extent of scur left on the banking sector during the past regime is truly shocking. Despite frequent media coverage of irregularities, civil society's voice raised, and more transparency emerging after the mass uprising that brought down the regime, the true scale of corruption in the banking sector during the previous regime seems unfathomable. This just shows how daunting the challenge will be for the interim government as it sets its sights on reforms, restructuring and recovery.

The new administration has already taken some positive steps. The decision to form a taskforce to undertake reforms is a move in the right direction, though we are yet to see much visibility about their laundry lists. According to media reports, the Bangladesh Bank has also decided to rescue struggling banks, including some Shariah-based banks formerly controlled by a particular group, by injecting liquidity or merging a few.

The old regime had also promised similar objectives. However, instead of working towards that, it gave preferential treatment to corrupt, politically linked bank owners and stakeholders, which further compromised the health of these banks and put depositors' funds at risk.

Though Mansur in his past incarnation was heard to be not subscribing to the idea of providing liquidity to ailing banks (it usually happens to many while you are on other side of the table), the present authorities are heard to be supporting these banks for three main reasons: to safeguard the country's economy, protect depositors, and facilitate business continuity.

We strongly support these measures as these are the real issues that should drive all reform decisions. Though many of the banks were mired in corruption, their bankruptcy would cause significant harm to both depositors and the economy. The central bank is therefore obligated to try the "rescue path". But it must do so in the right way and for the right reasons.

However, the central bank has now decided to avoid providing liquidity support by printing money, as was done before, and instead allow lenders to access support through inter-bank money supply, with it acting as the guarantor. Additionally, the central bank must ensure that these banks take every possible measure to recover default loans in order to lessen their liquidity crisis.

Reportedly, out of the Tk 70,000 crore that went outside the banking channel, Tk 30,000 crore has been recovered. This, along with the government's decision to insure up to Tk 2 lakh for each depositor, should help restore some confidence in the sector. While we appreciate the overall direction of the banking sector under the interim government, coordinated efforts involving various agencies are essential to recover or bring back the remaining funds into the coffer. Besides, we should be expecting closure of the few investigations into large wrong doings in the banking sector.

The author is chairman of Financial Excellence Ltd​

 

[Saif]

Six state banks asked to cancel contractual appointments of MDs

The Financial Institutions Division (FID) of the finance ministry has recommended that the boards of directors of six state-run banks cancel the contractual appointment of their managing directors and CEOs..The six state-run banks are Sonali Bank, Janata Bank, Agrani Bank, Rupali Bank, BAS

www.thedailystar.net

Six state banks asked to cancel contractual appointments of MDs

The Financial Institutions Division (FID) of the finance ministry has recommended that the boards of directors of six state-run banks cancel the contractual appointments of their managing directors and CEOs.

The six state-run banks are Sonali Bank, Janata Bank, Agrani Bank, Rupali Bank, BASIC Bank and Bangladesh Development Bank.

The FID also sent six separate letters to the chairmen of the boards of those banks.

The board of directors of those six lenders were also asked to take legal action regarding the cancellation of the contracts as per The Bank Companies Act.

The FID issued the letters as per government recommendations.

Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury, chairman of Sonali Bank, Professor Abul Hashem, chairman of BASIC Bank, and Md Nazrul Huda, chairman of Rupali Bank, confirmed to The Daily Star that they had received letters from the FID.

The Daily Star obtained a copy of the letter sent to the chairman of Janata Bank in this regard.

Among the six CEOs and MDs, Md Abdul Jabbar was promoted from deputy managing director to managing director of Janata Bank in April of 2023.

Similarly, Mohammad Jahangir was appointed as MD of Rupali Bank in August of 2022 following his tenure as deputy managing director of the bank.

Meanwhile, Md Afzal Karim joined Sonali Bank as MD in August of 2022 after serving as managing director of the Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation.

Md Murshedul Kabir was appointed as managing director of Agrani Bank in August 2022. He had previously served as a deputy managing director of Sonali Bank.

Md Anisur Rahman joined as MD of BASIC Bank in April 2021 after serving as Agrani Bank's deputy managing director.

Lastly, Md Habibur Rahman Gazi was appointed as managing director of Bangladesh Development Bank in November 2022 after serving as deputy managing director at Agrani Bank.​

 

[Saif]

Strategic reform for resilient banking sector

BANGLADESH stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with formidable economic challenges. Soaring inflation, depleting foreign reserves and sluggish growth have eroded public confidence. Years of mismanagement and unchecked corruption in the banking sector have deepened the crisis. However...

www.newagebd.net

Strategic reform for resilient banking sector
Amir Hossain 20 September, 2024, 00:00

BANGLADESH stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with formidable economic challenges. Soaring inflation, depleting foreign reserves and sluggish growth have eroded public confidence. Years of mismanagement and unchecked corruption in the banking sector have deepened the crisis. However, with the appointment of Dr Ahsan H Mansur as governor of Bangladesh Bank, the nation is embarking on a transformative journey of reform aimed at restoring trust and stabilising the financial system.

Dr Mansur has unveiled an ambitious plan to address systemic issues through a comprehensive “white paper.” This document will provide a transparent analysis and a detailed roadmap for substantial reform. His strategy aims to integrate financial stability with ethical governance, striving to create a banking system free from political and corporate interference.

Reforms: key pillars

Task force for bank restructuring: A specialised task force is dedicated to revamping distressed banks, enhancing governance, and addressing non-performing assets. Their goal is to implement structural reforms that ensure accountability and restore the financial health of troubled institutions.

Holistic political and economic reforms: Recognising that financial reforms alone are insufficient, Dr Mansur is advocating for parallel political reforms — combating corruption and boosting public sector efficiency—to create a conducive environment for sustainable economic growth.

International collaboration: The reform initiative has received robust international backing. Major global financial institutions, such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, are committing substantial resources. This support not only affirms confidence in the reforms but also provides essential financial assistance for their successful implementation.

Restoring public confidence

REBUILDING public trust is central to Bangladesh’s banking sector reform efforts. To address challenges such as corruption, non-performing loans, and capital flight, Bangladesh Bank is implementing a comprehensive approach:

Assessing distressed assets and risks: A dedicated task force is evaluating the financial health of banks, focusing on troubled assets and major risks.

Enhancing governance: Initiatives are underway to improve transparency and governance by closely monitoring financial indicators, loan statuses, and liquidity management.

Proposing reforms: The reform agenda includes recommendations to reduce political and corporate influence, alongside regulatory and structural changes.

Restructuring banks: Strategic measures are being implemented to rehabilitate, merge, or restructure failing banks, including asset separation and legislative adjustments.

Assuring depositors: Efforts are being made to protect depositors’ funds and reinforce confidence in the banking system’s stability.

Leadership overhaul: Replacing ineffective management with credible leaders is essential for restoring trust in financial institutions.

Recovering capital: Initiatives are focused on reclaiming funds lost through capital flight to enhance liquidity and sector stability.

An additional 12-member task force has been formed to develop strategies for a fair, sustainable and dynamic economy. Their responsibilities include formulating economic strategies, mobilising resources and delivering a detailed preliminary report within three months. These actions aim to restore transparency, enforce accountability and stabilise the banking sector, ultimately fostering renewed public confidence and long-term stability.

Key considerations for success

THE reform plan is both strategic and timely, yet several critical factors must be addressed to ensure its comprehensive success and long-term impact:

Timely execution: Immediate and decisive action is crucial to restore public trust and prevent further instability in the financial system.

Clear restructuring criteria: Establishing transparent and well-defined criteria for restructuring or liquidating banks will enhance the credibility and effectiveness of recovery efforts.

Accountability and oversight: Rigorous monitoring and accountability measures are essential for overseeing asset recovery and managing non-performing loans effectively.

Combating money laundering: Strengthened international cooperation is necessary to address money laundering and mitigate illicit financial outflows.

Long-term structural reforms: Implementing long-term structural reforms, such as establishing a banking commission, could play a vital role in ensuring sustained progress and oversight.

Central bank independence: Protecting the independence of the Bangladesh Bank from political interference is crucial for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the reform initiatives.

Global support and strategic focus

Bangladesh’s reform efforts are significantly bolstered by robust international support:

World Bank: Negotiations are underway for a $450 million loan aimed at modernising Bangladesh Bank and strengthening its regulatory framework.

Asian Development Bank: ADB has committed $1.3 billion over three years, including $500 million in the first year, to support bank restructuring and drive economic revitalisation.

United States: The US has pledged $200 million in aid. Recent discussions in Dhaka with Treasury assistant undersecretary Brent Neiman and State Department assistant secretary Donald Lu, alongside the signing of the aid agreement by economic and commerce adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, emphasise enhancing governance, fostering inclusive development, and expanding social and economic opportunities.

This global backing highlights the international community’s confidence in Bangladesh’s reform agenda and provides a crucial foundation for long-term financial stability and growth.

New era for banking sector

AS BANGLADESH embarks on this transformative reform journey, its commitment to transparency, accountability and international collaboration stands as a beacon of hope. With substantial support from global partners and the recent US aid agreement, the country is well-positioned to tackle both immediate challenges and long-term structural issues. This reform initiative not only aims to restore confidence in the financial system but also lays the groundwork for sustainable economic growth. While the road ahead is challenging, Bangladesh’s dedication to meaningful reform offers a promising outlook for a future where the banking sector emerges as a cornerstone of national strength and prosperity.​

 

[Saif]

World Bank to support Bangladesh to reform banking sector: Finance adviser

The World Bank will provide support in reforming banking and other sectors in Bangladesh, Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said on Thursday. He said this after a meeting with Martin Raiser, vice president for the South Asia Region of the World Bank, at his secretariat office.

en.prothomalo.com

World Bank to support Bangladesh to reform banking sector: Finance adviser
UNB
Published: 19 Sep 2024, 20: 14

Finance and commerce adviser Salehuddin Ahmed BSS

The World Bank will provide support in reforming banking and other sectors in Bangladesh, Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said on Thursday.

He said this after a meeting with Martin Raiser, vice president for the South Asia Region of the World Bank, at his secretariat office.

Speaking to reporters the adviser said, "We discussed various projects with the World Bank's South Asia vice president and his team, including budget support, assistance in the energy sector, fertilizer imports, food, and post-flood aid."

Additionally, "We talked about support for the Rohingya refugees. The World Bank was very positive about all the proposals we presented, and they provided concrete responses. They assured us that they, along with other stakeholders, would coordinate, and there would be no hesitation in providing necessary funding or assistance."

"The reforms we have undertaken in the banking sector will receive support from the World Bank", said the adviser.

"We also discussed issues related to boosting investment in the private sector and addressing various challenges in business and trade. They have assured us of their assistance, and we will receive the necessary support", he added.​

 

[Saif]

Not cosmetic reforms

In every country --- no matter developed or developing --- the central bank serves as the economy's nervous system. It regulates interest rates, controls money supply, maintains foreign exchange reserves, and fights inflation. Such responsibilities are critical to ensuring economic stability,

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Not cosmetic reforms
CAF Dowlah
Published :
Sep 30, 2024 22:42
Updated :
Sep 30, 2024 22:42
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In every country --- no matter developed or developing --- the central bank serves as the economy's nervous system. It regulates interest rates, controls money supply, maintains foreign exchange reserves, and fights inflation. Such responsibilities are critical to ensuring economic stability, especially during times of crisis, such as inflationary spikes, recessions, or declining foreign reserves.

These roles are even more pronounced for the Bangladesh Bank as it has its finger prints in all aspects of the country's financial system --- from regulating commercial banks, bailing out nationalised banks, to managing non-performing loans and even making efforts to bring back laundered money from abroad.

But far too long Bangladesh has treated its central bank like a replaceable cog in the machine, swapping out governors as if a new face would fix the deep-rooted problems. This illusion of governance has allowed financial scandals, regulatory failures, and gross mismanagement to fester. The banking sector is in a dismal state, plagued by corruption, financial irregularities, and preferential treatment for powerful borrowers.

Non-performing loans (NPLs) are skyrocketing, inflation is surging, money laundering is rampant, and foreign exchange reserves are declining-the Bank's oversight has been frail, effectiveness is highly questionable, and public trust in the system has largely eroded. This is a crisis that demands immediate action. Simply put, the Bangladesh Bank, as it stands, is failing, and piecemeal reforms will not suffice.

THE NPL TIME BOMB: Default loans in Bangladesh have spiralled out of control, reaching a staggering Tk 1456.33 billion by the end of 2023, accounting for 9 per cent of total loans. This places Bangladesh among the worst offenders globally, with an NPL rate double that of most developing countries, where the rate typically ranges between 3.2 per cent and 4.5 per cent. Bangladesh's performance is even more dismal when compared to South Asia, where the average NPL ratios from 2012 to 2021 were 7 per cent in India and 3.94 per cent in Sri Lanka.

Even more troubling, the total amount of distressed loans-comprising NPLs, rescheduled loans, and restructured write-offs-amounted to nearly one-third of all outstanding loans in the banking system by the end of 2023. Much of this problem can be traced to the lenient policies introduced by the central bank allowing banks to reschedule loans with minimal down payments and extended repayment periods for borrowers.

In a bid to meet conditions tied to a $4.7 billion loan package from the IMF, Bangladesh Bank has recently committed to an unrealistic goal of reducing NPLs to 8 per cent by 2026. The Bank's strategy, which relies heavily on easing loan write-offs, is utterly reckless and ignores the underlying issues of a weakening economy and systemic corruption that fuel NPLs. Without addressing these root causes, any promise of reduction in NPLs may be superficial and unrealistic.

INFLATION IS A TICKING TIME BOMB: For decades, Bangladesh has struggled with persistently high inflation, averaging 6.57 per cent annually between 1994 and 2024. By mid-2024, inflation had surged to 11.66 per cent, easing only slightly to 10.5 per cent by August-still well above regional averages. A major donor bank has forecasted that Bangladesh's inflation rate will rise to 10.1 per cent in the next fiscal year, compared to 4.5 per cent in India and 5.5 per cent in Sri Lanka.

In response, the central bank has opted to tighten the money supply, as if that alone could control the soaring prices. Bangladesh's inflation is largely driven by supply-side disruptions and currency depreciation, not an overheated economy. The devaluation of the taka has only worsened the situation, diverting remittances into informal channels, and deepening the inflation crisis. Instead of relying on short-term fixes, the Bangladesh Bank needs to confront these underlying issues head-on.

RAPID DECLINE IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES: Since September 2021, Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves have been steadily declining, reaching a critical low of $20.46 billion in August 2024-barely enough to cover two and a half months of imports. More concerning is that the net international reserves have dwindled to a mere $13 billion.

The central bank's poor handling of exchange rates has exacerbated the issue, pushing remittances into informal channels and further depleting reserves. Although a recent shift to a "crawling peg" exchange rate system and the receipt of $2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September provide some relief, the reserve situation is unlikely to improve significantly without bold corrective measures.

MONEY LAUNDERING IS A NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT: The scale of money laundering in Bangladesh is staggering and alarming. Official estimates suggest that over Tk 1.0 trillion has been illicitly transferred abroad. In 2021, Global Financial Integrity (GFI) reported that Bangladesh lost around $8.27 billion annually between 2009 and 2018 due to the mis-invoicing of import-export goods by traders to evade taxes and facilitate illegal cross-border money transfers.

Every year, billions of dollars are funnelled out of the country through schemes like hundi, over-invoicing, and under-invoicing. While the Money Laundering Prevention Act of 2012 exists in name, its enforcement has been weak and rare, with those responsible for drafting and enforcing the law often implicated in these very activities. Although the 2023 global Anti Money Laundering (AML) Index indicated some progress for Bangladesh, such reports are often based on unreliable data and fail to reflect the true scale of the problem.

The harsh reality is that illegal financial flows are critically draining the nation's wealth. The interim government has formed a committee, led by Bangladesh Bank, to recover laundered money. The Bank must take decisive action against these criminal networks. Yet, success is far from guaranteed, given the sophisticated methods and networks used to conceal assets in both offshore and onshore laundering operations.

RADICAL REFORM IS NON-NEGOTIABLE: Cosmetic reforms or half-hearted policy adjustments will not be enough to save Bangladesh Bank-it needs a comprehensive, top-to-bottom overhaul. The central bank must be freed from the political and bureaucratic interference that has crippled its effectiveness for years. It should become a fully independent and accountable institution-free from corrupt interests. Monetary policies should be crafted diligently by highly qualified experts, not by bureaucrats climbing the ranks without the necessary expertise.

The interim government must push for radical reforms. State-owned banks, long mired in political meddling and mismanagement, must be streamlined, or privatised to safeguard nation's scare resources. The culture of cronyism must be dismantled, and the Bangladesh Bank must shift its focus to real, sustainable solutions rather than donor-driven fantasies.

Most importantly, it is imperative that the Bangladesh Bank be governed by an independent board of governors, shielded from political and bureaucratic influence, to enhance its operational effectiveness. The reliance on a single governor must give way to a system of collective decision-making on critical policy matters. Only through such bold and structural reforms can the central bank restore its integrity and safeguard the nation's long-term economic stability.

Dr Dowlah is a retired Professor of Economics and Law in the United States. Currently, he serves as the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Institute of Policy Studies (www.bipsglobal.org).​

 

[Saif]

Reduce number of banks to 30

The number of banks in Bangladesh should be reduced from 61 to 30 as part of reforms in the sector, said Prof Moinul Islam yesterday.

www.thedailystar.net

Reduce number of banks to 30
Says economist Moinul Islam as part of reforms

Photo: Collected

The number of banks in Bangladesh should be reduced from 61 to 30 as part of reforms in the sector, said Prof Moinul Islam yesterday.

He termed Rooppur Power Plant as Awami League's "white elephant" and criticised the involvement of Adani Group in energy sector, citing these projects as examples of large-scale corruption.

Moinul made these remarks at the "Dialogue for Democratic Reconstruction", organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at a hotel in the port city.

He said Sheikh Hasina's relatives and supporters had engaged in massive looting, particularly in the banking sector. He questioned why controversial figures, such as those associated with S Alam Group, had been allowed to control multiple banks.

"We don't need so many banks in the country. The number must be reduced to 30," he said, adding that corruption in Bangladesh has been a long-standing issue, not limited to the AL regime, with similar problems during the BNP's 2001-2006 tenure.

Nizam Uddin Ahmed, a former public administration professor at Chittagong University, stressed the importance of protecting fundamental rights through constitutional reform.

Zillur Rahman, CGS Executive Director, moderated the event, emphasising that while progress may be slow, the pursuit of a democratic state must continue.

Chattogram Jamaat Amir Shahjahan Chowdhury, Nasir Uddin Munir from Hefazat-e-Islam, and representatives from the Jatiyo Party and AB Party also attended.​

 

[Saif]

Banks mostly gave loans to their owners rather than creditworthy borrowers

Bangladesh’s banking sector was not well-managed in recent years. Banks mostly gave loans to their owners, rather than to creditworthy entities. Consequently, several banks are now in difficulty.

www.thedailystar.net

Banks mostly gave loans to their owners rather than creditworthy borrowers
World Bank’s senior official speaks on lending culture in Bangladesh

Bangladesh's banking sector was not well-managed in recent years. Banks mostly gave loans to their owners, rather than to creditworthy entities. Consequently, several banks are now in difficulty.

Besides, the previous administration could not effectively manage the exchange rate. It acted opposite to conventional economic wisdom.

They opted to defend a fixed exchange rate, even though the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed the Indian rupee to depreciate to ensure that its competitiveness was not negatively affected.

"This caused losses of a lot of reserves. As a result, liquidity was getting tighter," said Martin Raiser, the World Bank (WB) vice president for South Asia region.

"If Bangladesh had instituted this kind of policy five-six years ago, it would not have faced the kind of liquidity shortages that the economy experienced."

In an interview with The Daily Star at the end of last week in Dhaka, he said the Bangladesh Bank is currently addressing these issues.

"I think they are doing a good job, but clearly, the financial sector needs to be one of the focuses of reform efforts now to create stronger banks and ultimately to provide more credit to SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises]," he said.

Raiser, who visited Dhaka in the second half of the last month, also spoke about Bangladesh's economic performance, the reasons for persistent inflation, implications of low revenue collection, and necessary reforms to salvage the ailing banking sector.

The WB official also responded to questions regarding the overall support that the Washington-based agency is considering in response to a request from the interim government, which was sworn in after a mass uprising ousted the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5.

People here are ready to invest, to be busy and to try and improve their livelihoods. This could have led to more growth if they had access to credit.— Martin Raiser World Bank vice president for South Asia.

Raiser said Bangladesh has indeed done very well, not just recently. Its transformation has been remarkable since independence.

"We have always regarded Bangladesh as a success story."

He said in recent years, the Covid-19 crisis has adversely affected all countries and also had an impact on Bangladesh.

The country could not recover fully due to the slowdown in global trade.

Raiser said Bangladesh is getting more developed, so remaining specialised solely in readymade garments is not so sustainable. Because there are limits to the productivity increases that one can get from a single sector.

"Bangladesh has missed the opportunity to diversify the economy, bring in more foreign investment, bring more technologies, and create different kinds of jobs since the global financial crisis."

NEED A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD

Raiser said he visited Bangladesh five to six times and saw the strength of entrepreneurship.

"Lots of people are ready to invest themselves, to be busy and to try and improve their livelihoods, from the rickshaw drivers to, you know, small manufacturing to fashion designers to the gig economy. Now, a lot of dynamism could lead to more growth and more jobs if they had access to credit."

However, the nation is not getting all the benefits in the absence of a level playing field.

"So, those are some areas where Bangladesh didn't do very well in recent years and could have done much better.

"But there, you know that they can benefit. The last administration invested a lot in infrastructure and that got better. Connectivity is better, so there are some positive foundations on which Bangladesh can and should build."

OVERALL FUNDING ENVELOPE TO BE ROUGHLY $3.5 BILLION

Raiser said the interim government requested budget support for the energy sector and banking reforms.

The envelope of fresh money would be about $2.2 billion, including over $1 billion in repurposed loans, overall funding would be roughly $3.5 billion.

The official said the WB and the government have been in discussions on what will be done to support banking, tax reform, better governance, and transparency, to support the energy sector and social assistance.

"Some of these discussions predate the recent changes. Some of them are new."

BANKING SECTOR NEEDS TRANSPARENCY

Raiser said the multilateral lender wants to get more transparency in the banking sector.

He said people who park deposits in banks should know who the beneficiary owners of the banks are. When supervisors provide credit, they should know who the beneficiary owners of the enterprises are and to whom the money is lent.

"I mean, there are standards in the banking industry that impose strict limits on self-dealing. If you own a bank, you can't use that bank to benefit enterprises that you also own.

"Now, if you want to enforce those regulations, you need to know who owns what. The second is how you classify whether an asset is well-performing or not," Raiser said.

The WB Vice President said an asset becomes classified if a client cannot repay on time.

"And once the loan is classified, the bank has to keep provisions. They have to put capital aside," he said.

"That's expensive to the bank. Therefore, banks don't like to do that, but you have to force them, because if they don't have enough capital, at some point, depositors may not be able to get their money back."

He said Bangladesh has to have a better loan classification system.

Besides, measures should be taken to ensure that depositors are properly protected and to hold accountable shareholders who drive a bank in the wrong direction.

"These are the core elements of a modern and well-functioning banking system."

He said there should be better rules regarding insolvency legislation and management of distressed assets.

The purpose of all of this is to make sure that when some companies get into difficulties, the key for the policymakers is to ensure that resources are not locked up in companies that aren't producing any value, he added.

"So, you want to protect the people, but you don't want to protect every single venture. If it didn't work, take the capital resources, take the credit out and put it somewhere else where it has a better chance of success."

"That process of restructuring, of creating more competition, is complementary to the banking reforms. And it is something that we'd like to support, but that will take a bit more time," Raiser added.

On reforms, he said the interim government has to prioritise and respond to the expectations of the people.

"One of the things that I've heard very loudly is more accountability, more transparency, and better governance. That's something that I think they want to do, and they should do, because that's what the people are expecting."

He said the interim government obviously wants to make adjustments to the political and judicial systems and the rule of law and order, which is not the area of the WB's competence.

"Our area of expertise is the management of the economy," he added.

COLLECTING MORE REVENUE IS A KEY PRIORITY

Raiser said the WB can support improving economic management. Revenue management is an area Bangladesh should work on.

He said the revenue authority collects a fairly low level of taxes. As a result, it has limited public resources available to deliver better services.

"So, if you're talking about cleaning up the rivers, yes, that's a hugely important thing. But it's also expensive, so you're going to have to collect more revenue if you're going to do all of that."

The government also needs to spend more on education and healthcare.

"I think collecting more revenue is an important priority, and I think we can help both on the tax administration side and on the tax policy side," he said.

"Just to give you one example, Bangladesh has a lot of exemptions. Some of the exemptions are targeted to individual companies. That's not a very good tax policy."

Raiser also stressed the importance of better public finance management and procurement processes.

"What's the system whereby projects get approved? What's the scrutiny behind them, but then also, how efficient is the process?

"You don't want a lengthy approval process, but you want to make sure they're robust. There are proper checks and balances in place. That's another area that we can work on."

In the medium term, he said improving the business environment, making it easier for companies to get the permissions to invest and access to land is vital.

Raiser said the government needs to improve environmental regulations and ensure enforcement.

"It doesn't pay in the long run for a country to try and be competitive by polluting its own environment. Ultimately, people will pay."

INFLATION TO COME DOWN

The WB official, while responding to a question about why inflation in Bangladesh remained stubbornly high when neighbouring India managed to bring it down, said there had been major supply disruptions in July and August, which kept inflation higher.

Besides, he said until recently, monetary policy was also relatively loose.

"You know, real interest rates were negative, and all these factors combined probably led to a situation in which supply was restricted and demand was still supported and that has led to inflation."

Raiser said inflation rates have actually come down quite sharply in recent months.

"So, I think there's a good prospect with, you know, the new management and the Bangladesh Bank as they are committed to bringing inflation down. There's a good prospect that inflation will come down."

"It may not happen immediately. It takes a while for this to work through the system. But I think there are good prospects for inflation to reduce."​

 

[Saif]

Crisis-hit banks repaying depositors for emergencies, basic needs

As crisis-hit lenders have started getting liquidity support from the inter-bank money market, they are now repaying depositors for specific purposes, such as medical emergencies, and in the case of salary disbursement or remittance encashment.

www.thedailystar.net

Crisis-hit banks repaying depositors for emergencies, basic needs

As crisis-hit lenders have started getting liquidity support from the inter-bank money market, they are now repaying depositors for specific purposes, such as medical emergencies, and in the case of salary disbursement or remittance encashment.

Depositors regularly gather at the branches, head offices and ATM booths of cash-strapped banks, but are usually unable to get the amount of money they require.

However, officials of the banks said since they are now getting liquidity support from sound banks, they can repay depositors to some extent.

After obtaining a Bangladesh Bank (BB) guarantee to avail liquidity support from the inter-bank money market, First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank and National Bank received a total of Tk 945 crore in support from five sound banks.

In the second phase, First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, National Bank, and Islami Bank Bangladesh received Tk 1,480 crore as liquidity support.

Depositors regularly gather at the branches, head offices and ATM booths of cash-strapped banks, but are usually unable to get the amount of money they require

Apart from National Bank, Chattogram-based conglomerate S Alam Group had a stranglehold on the board of directors of the other lenders that are now facing liquidity crises.

Following the installation of an interim government in August, all those lenders saw their boards of directors reconstituted.

So far, Union Bank has yet to get any liquidity support. As such, its new board of directors met with central bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur on Wednesday to avail the BB guarantee.

Contacted, Mohammed Nurul Amin, the new chairman of Global Islami Bank, told The Daily Star the bank was now repaying depositors based on emergency and priority.

"We request depositors not to withdraw money if there is no urgent need."

He added that the central bank should speed up the process of providing guarantees. Otherwise, he cautioned, it will be difficult to regain the confidence of depositors.

Mohammad Abdul Mannan, the new chairman of First Security Islami Bank, said normal banking activities were resuming after it received Tk 375 crore from the inter-bank money market.

He further added that the bank had already recovered around Tk 600 crore from borrowers since its board was reconstituted.

"We are repaying depositors to fulfil basic needs or for medical issues, any urgent cases and encashment of remittance."

The bank is now trying to repay large-scale depositors in phases, he added. "We are now trying to win back the trust of depositors."

Six banks that were under the grip of the S Alam Group have been facing liquidity crises for more than two years.

Under the previous government, which was ousted by a mass uprising on August 5, the central bank provided special liquidity support to ailing lenders by printing money, which fuelled inflation.

However, after being appointed to the top post at the central bank, Mansur said the BB would not provide liquidity support by printing money and would instead allow banks to seek support from the inter-bank money market.

As this process takes longer, the situation plaguing the troubled lenders intensified.

Global Islami Bank chairman Amin said it may take around one year to mitigate the crisis at ailing banks.​

 

[Saif]

The road to recovery

IN THE late 1920s, the world witnessed the collapse of the Weimar Republic, and with it, the German economy fell into disarray. Hyperinflation, a collapsed banking system, and...

www.newagebd.net

The road to recovery
by Md Junayed Hossain 20 October, 2024, 00:00

New Age/ Mehedi Haque

IN THE late 1920s, the world witnessed the collapse of the Weimar Republic, and with it, the German economy fell into disarray. Hyperinflation, a collapsed banking system, and massive social unrest paved the way for the rise of the Nazi regime — a stark reminder of how economic instability can lead to catastrophic socio-political outcomes. The lessons from history serve as a reminder that when financial systems are left to deteriorate, the consequences ripple far beyond the economy, shaking the foundations of society itself.

Today, Bangladesh stands at a critical crossroads, as its fragile banking sector faces mounting pressures that could destabilise the nation’s socio-economic fabric. Over the past decade, persistent malpractices, corruption, weak governance, and an alarming rise in non-performing loans have eroded trust in the financial system. Without decisive intervention, the country risks plunging into an economic crisis that could severely hamper business activities, deter investment, and ultimately harm ordinary citizens.

To avert such a crisis, the government, alongside the central bank, must urgently implement a series of targeted macroeconomic and structural reforms. These measures should focus on restoring confidence, ensuring liquidity, and safeguarding the long-term sustainability of the financial sector. Various strategic options, such as quantitative easing, capital injections, and targeted bailouts, should be considered to tackle the sector’s fragility.

Quantitative easing as a liquidity tool

ONE potential policy option is quantitative easing, a tool that has been used effectively by central banks worldwide during times of economic crisis. By purchasing long-term financial assets such as government bonds or high-quality bank assets, the central bank could inject much-needed liquidity into the banking system. The primary goal of QE would be to lower interest rates, expand the money supply, and provide struggling banks with the capital they need to meet withdrawal demands and expand credit to businesses and consumers.

This influx of liquidity would help avert a potential credit crunch, which would otherwise stifle investment and economic growth. However, QE must be implemented cautiously, as excessive liquidity could lead to inflationary pressures and a depreciation of the national currency. A carefully managed QE program could provide breathing space for banks to stabilise while spurring broader economic recovery.

Government bailouts: a delicate balancing act

IN EXTREME cases of banking sector insolvency, where liquidity issues evolve into solvency crises, the government may need to consider direct bailouts. A bailout involves the injection of government funds into struggling banks to prevent their collapse and restore solvency. While controversial, especially given the mismanagement and corruption that have plagued many of these institutions, a bailout may be a necessary measure to prevent widespread financial chaos.

However, any bailout must come with stringent conditions. These conditions should include the restructuring of management teams, the implementation of stronger governance protocols, and mechanisms for improved accountability. The failures of many banks in Bangladesh can be traced back to poor governance, political interference, and inadequate risk management practices. A bailout without addressing these root causes would only serve as a temporary bandage over a deeper wound.

To ensure the effective use of public funds, the government could implement a ‘good bank, bad bank’ model. In this approach, bad assets, primarily NPLs, would be transferred to a ‘bad bank’ for specialised management and eventual liquidation. This would allow the ‘good banks’ to focus on their core business operations without being burdened by toxic assets. By isolating bad loans, these institutions could rebuild trust and attract new capital for growth.

Addressing non-performing loans

ONE of the most pressing issues plaguing Bangladesh’s banking sector is the high level of NPLs, which have severely impacted the profitability and sustainability of many banks. These NPLs, often politically backed and devoid of effective recovery mechanisms, have become a systemic issue. To address this, the central bank must adopt stricter regulatory measures and implement legal reforms to expedite the recovery of defaulted loans.

In the short term, creating a dedicated asset management company to manage these toxic assets is essential. By isolating NPLs in a centralised entity, banks would be able to focus on rebuilding their balance sheets and pursuing profitable growth opportunities. Additionally, the central bank could incentivise banks to sell off their bad loans at discounted rates to specialised asset management firms, which would be tasked with the recovery and resolution of these distressed assets.

Transparency and restoring confidence

ONE of the greatest dangers facing Bangladesh’s banking system is the erosion of public trust. If depositors lose confidence in the safety of their funds, the risk of widespread withdrawals could trigger a liquidity crisis, exacerbating the already fragile state of the sector. Clear and consistent communication from both the government and the central bank is essential to reassure the public that their deposits are safe and that concrete steps are being taken to stabilise the sector.

Ensuring transparency in the restructuring process, including regular updates on reforms, capital injections, and asset recovery efforts, will go a long way toward calming public fears. The introduction of deposit insurance schemes could further enhance depositor confidence by guaranteeing that their funds are protected, even in the event of a bank failure.

Bangladesh’s fragile banking sector presents a formidable challenge, but it also offers an opportunity for meaningful reform. By employing a combination of quantitative easing, targeted bailouts, bank mergers, and enhanced regulatory oversight, the government can restore stability to the financial sector and set the economy on a sustainable path to recovery. Addressing capital shortages, tackling NPLs, and ensuring transparency will not only rebuild public trust but also lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. Just as history has shown the perils of inaction, today’s policymakers must take bold, decisive steps to secure Bangladesh’s financial future.

Md Junayed Hossain is a financial analyst.​

 

[Saif]

No respite yet from banking sector woes

A crisis of confidence has gripped the country’s banking sector amid little action taken to resolve the deep-rooted challenges facing the sector and hold those accountable for years of malfeasance and mismanagement...

www.newagebd.net

No respite yet from banking sector woes
Mostafizur Rahman 27 October, 2024, 23:47

A crisis of confidence has gripped the country’s banking sector amid little action taken to resolve the deep-rooted challenges facing the sector and hold those accountable for years of malfeasance and mismanagement.

According to several officials of the Bangladesh Bank and other banks, aside from limited board restructurings in a few banks, no major reforms have been initiated since the interim government assumed office on August 8.

Despite initial hopes that the banking sector would stabilise after Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled to India on August 5, the situation has barely improved.

Many banks are still unable to meet depositor demands, facing continued erosion of public trust causing panic fund withdrawals.

On September 8, new central bank governor Ahsan H Mansur acknowledged that around 10 banks faced risk of bankruptcy—a statement that further deepened the clients’ panic intensifying the rush of withdrawals.

The situation deteriorated further after the central bank restructured the boards of 11 banks and announced that it would not directly provide them with liquidity support.

These moves only deepened depositor mistrust, making it increasingly difficult for struggling banks to recover.

In response to the crisis, the central bank began providing limited support by guaranteeing interbank loans, disbursing Tk 5,000 crore to six distressed banks over the past one month.

The sector’s liquidity crisis, however, persists, with depositors still deeply concerned about the security of their funds.

Mutual Trust Bank managing director and chief executive officer Syed Mahbubur Rahman said that currently approximately 15 banks were battling against various crises that were unlikely to resolve soon.

He noted that aside from board restructurings at some banks, no significant reforms had yet been observed, adding, ‘We anticipate some visible reforms by December this year.’

Mahbubur said that although boards were restructured, much of the same senior management remained in place, casting doubt on their intension to lead meaningful changes.

He acknowledged the challenge of replacing senior management staff who had been in place for years.

On the crisis of confidence among depositors, Mahbubur highlighted that a quarter of banks were struggling with a severe liquidity crisis failing to repay depositors’ money.

Besides, he also mentioned the prevailing overall uncertainty and poor law and order situation as some key factors behind the ongoing crisis in the banking sector.

‘Government officials, including bankers, are currently in a “wait and see” mode given the broader political climate,’ he remarked.

As of the last working day in August, total bank deposits dropped to Tk 17.31 lakh crore from Tk 17.34 lakh crore in the last working day in July.

In end of August, currency outside banks surged for the 10th consecutive month, reaching Tk 2.92 lakh crore as depositors continued withdrawals.

Non-performing loans skyrocketed to Tk 2.11 lakh crore by June, up from Tk 88,734 crore in December 2021, underscoring the sector’s prolonged loan irregularities.

S Alam Group withdrew around Tk 2 lakh crore loans through companies including shell firms in collusion with some banks and central bank officials.

Similarly, Beximco Group borrowed Tk 25,000 crore from Janata Bank of which Tk 18,000 crore is now non-performing.

The central bank has largely turned a blind eye to such massive loan irregularities, often aiding these groups through relaxing regulations and maintaining silence.

Consequently, the sector faces a crippling liquidity shortage, with depositors losing trust not only in individual banks but also in regulatory bodies.

According to bankers, influential officials with strong ties to powerful political and business groups have retained their positions, blocking meaningful reform efforts.

Even within the central bank, key officials linked to groups like S Alam and Bashundhara remain in place, leading to the bank’s failure to address or expose corrupt practices, they observe.

So far, the Bangladesh Bank has refrained from taking punitive action against bank officials involved in these activities, perpetuating a lack of accountability and further deepening the sector’s ongoing crisis.

Additionally, the persistent dollar crisis, elevated exchange rates, acute liquidity shortages, and high-interest rates are deterring businesses from securing loans and opening letters of credit, negatively impacting the economic.

The government, facing this bleak scenario, has also struggled to secure sufficient loans from the banking sector.

Bangladesh Bank’s spokesperson and executive director, Husne Ara Shikha, stated that the central bank has restructured the boards of 11 banks to rebuild public trust and ensure good governance.

Regarding allegations that information on prior irregularities involving senior bank officials has been concealed, she clarified that the responsibility lay with the respective bank’s board to remove, transfer, or replace employees, including the managing director, for the sake of public interest.

Moreover, the central bank would make final decisions based on recommendations from the respective boards, she said.

The central bank was committed to taking action against any bank officer if complaints were found valid, said the Bangladesh Bank executive director.​

 

[Saif]

We need to protect depositors from bank boardroom misuse

Having a well-balanced and accountable board is paramount, especially as a bank holds and manages the funds of depositors.

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We need to protect depositors from bank boardroom misuse

Visual: Salman Sakib Shahryar

In recent times, we have had a barrage of reports showing how, during the tenure of the Awami League regime, politically influential or affiliated directors in private banks abused their power to misappropriate general depositors' savings through illegal or unethical practices. These include sanctioning loans without due diligence, waiving or writing off loans and their interest, extending or rescheduling loans without reasonable grounds, making bank investments without proper feasibility studies, etc. Such poor governance resulted in an unprecedented misappropriation of depositors' money over the last decade or so.

While most malpractices in the banking sector stem from inadequate supervision and poor accountability practices by the central bank, the loopholes within the existing legal framework on banking governance also play a significant role. Corrupt individuals and their allies managed to legalise their wrongful actions by using some flawed provisions of the Bank Company Act, 1991 (amended up to 2023)—the primary legislation governing the banking sector. To identify the weaknesses in the legal provisions regarding accountability and transparency, it is crucial to understand the functions and powers of a bank's board of directors.

Legally, a board of directors is the highest decision-making body in a bank, responsible for formulating and implementing policies, risk management, internal controls, internal audits, and compliance. In short, the board oversees all business and administrative actions of a bank. So having a well-balanced and accountable board is paramount, especially as a bank holds and manages the funds of depositors. However, malpractice in the banking sector often begins when influential individuals take control of the board. The question is, does the current banking legislation prevent a bank from falling under the control of vested interests? The answer is somewhat affirmative.

Section 14Ka of the Act states that the shares of a bank cannot be accumulated in the hands of an individual, particular family, or company—and it bars them from acquiring more than 10 percent of shares in a banking company. Moreover, Section 15 restricts the number of directors from one family to three at a time, while Section 23 allows two additional directors from the same family's affiliated or controlled company or institution.

But since a bank, being a public limited company, must have at least three members on its board, including at least two independent directors, it is legally possible for five out of seven members on a board to be from a single family or its affiliated companies, allowing it to control the board. Such a concentration of control within a family raises ethical and legal concerns. For instance, appointing family members and associates to key positions in a bank could lead to conflicts of interest, where personal interests might overshadow depositor interests. Moreover, favouritism and incompetence may lead to poor compliance and thereby increase the risk of financial mismanagement and misappropriation.

Furthermore, according to an amendment to the Act passed on June 21, 2023, an individual can serve as a director for twelve consecutive years and may be reappointed after a three-year break. Such a lengthy tenure can allow directors to entrench themselves and misuse their position for personal gain rather than safeguarding depositor interests. All these vague and legally tenuous provisions of the Bank Company Act can open avenues for vested interests to amass control over banks.

Beyond the formation of the board, the most critical issue is ensuring transparency and accountability among directors. The Act mandates that directors, managing directors or chief executives, and senior management officials disclose the "name, address, and other details of their commercial, financial, agricultural, industrial, and other businesses," along with details of family business interests, to the board annually. However, Section 18 does not require this disclosure to be submitted to Bangladesh Bank, creating a transparency loophole. A board plagued by vested interests will naturally like to shield its members. Additionally, the Act requires directors and members of senior management to notify the board if they have a relationship with anyone bound or about to be bound in a significant contract with the bank. While this provision initially appears well-suited to promote transparency, the vague term "significant contract" leaves room for misinterpretation and manipulation.

Beyond the formations and functions of bank management, the 2023 amendment to the Act also raised concerns by granting substantial concessions to loan-defaulting companies. It stipulates that if one company within a group defaults, other companies within the same group or linked to the same individuals won't be classified as defaulters. This will also not affect their ability to secure new loans. Economists believe these changes risk increasing intentional loan defaults, further worsening bank governance issues.

What becomes clear from the above discussion is that existing legal provisions can, and do, allow for malpractice within banks. To protect general depositors' interests and restore good governance in the sector, we must reform the legal framework for board formation and its transparency.

Farhan Masuq is lecturer of law at Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP).

Khushnuma Khan is a barrister-at-law.​

 

[Saif]

Tk 3,000cr export fund held up in four troubled banks

A large chunk of a Tk 10,000 crore central bank fund, meant for financing raw material imports for export orders, remains stuck with four crisis-hit banks, according to Bangladesh Bank officials.

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Tk 3,000cr export fund held up in four troubled banks

A large chunk of a Tk 10,000 crore central bank fund, meant for financing raw material imports for export orders, remains stuck with four crisis-hit banks, according to Bangladesh Bank officials.

This has made it difficult for sound banks to get adequate liquidity from the Export Facilitation Pre-Finance Fund (EFPF) to lend to local exporters for raw material purchases from foreign markets.

The four banks are Islami Bank Bangladesh, Social Islami Bank, First Security Islami Bank and Union Bank -- the boards of which were previously dominated by the Chattogram-based industrial conglomerate S Alam Group.

Following the political changeover on August 5, the banks saw their boards reconstituted, ousting S Alam's men from the boardroom.

Still, the banks have struggled to repay the Bangladesh Bank Tk 3,035 crore, due mainly to their severe liquidity crisis. Therefore, the central bank has been extending the repayment deadline.

Of the total amount, Tk 2,000 crore is owed by Islami Bank Bangladesh, Tk 600 crore by Social Islami Bank, Tk 400 crore by First Security Islami Bank and Tk 35 crore by Union Bank.

In January last year, the Bangladesh Bank formed the Tk 10,000 crore EFPF to support industries facing raw material import challenges due to a foreign currency crisis.

Since the fund's formation, the central bank disbursed Tk 7,900 crore to banks, and has so far recovered Tk 3,200 crore in principal, according to central bank officials.

The officials said several other banks such as NCC Bank, Janata Bank, Global Islami Bank, Premier Bank, Prime Bank, Mercantile Bank, Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Bank Asia and Eastern Bank continue to utilise the pre-finance fund.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior central bank official told The Daily Star that the banking regulator usually deducts the fund from lenders' current accounts upon the expiration of the repayment term.

As per the rules, every lender has to maintain a current account with the central bank.

But the current accounts of the four banks with the central bank remained negative for a long time due to the liquidity crisis. As a result, the central bank was unable to deduct the fund, the official added.

"New fund disbursement to the lenders has been suspended as a large portion is already stuck with them," said the official.

Except for Islami Bank Bangladesh, the commercial lenders are now struggling even to repay their depositors.

Central bank officials expressed optimism that Islami Bank Bangladesh would be able to repay the fund by December of this year, as its negative current account balance continues to decrease.

The Daily Star attempted to contact Islami Bank Bangladesh Chairman Obayed Ullah Al Masud and Managing Director Mohammed Monirul Moula by phone, but neither responded to the calls as of yesterday noon.

The crisis-hit banks are currently repaying depositors on a limited scale by securing liquidity support from the inter-bank money market and through central bank-issued guarantees.

Mohammad Abdul Mannan, the new chairman of First Security Islami Bank, recently told the newspaper that normal banking activities were resuming and they were working to repay depositors with the liquidity support.

A senior Social Islami Bank official said they are now repaying depositors for emergency purposes by utilising the liquidity support.

Union Bank's new Chairman Md Farid Uddin Ahmad could not be reached for comment.

In January of 2023, the central bank introduced the EFPF for exporters, coinciding with the phasing out of the Export Development Fund (EDF) as per prescriptions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

As of now, the EDF stands at around $2 billion, trimmed down from $7 billion in December 2022.

Members of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, BKMEA and B and C type industries in export processing zones (EPZs) are eligible for financing from the EFPF.

An exporter can get a maximum loan of Tk 200 crore from the fund, which must be used for raw material imports. Banks are required to pay back the fund within six months, although they may extend or reduce the repayment period for their clients.

According to the scheme guidelines, clients with overdue export bills are not eligible for new funds from the scheme.

Besides, clients already receiving loans from other central bank funds for raw material imports are not allowed to get loans from the EFPF. Central bank officials said loan defaulters are also barred from accessing the EFPF.​

 

[Saif]

Don’t withdraw money from banks unless necessary: BB spokesperson

Deposited money is safe in banks, Husnay Ara Shikha says

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Don’t withdraw money from banks unless necessary: BB spokesperson
Deposited money is safe in banks, Husnay Ara Shikha says

Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Husnay Ara Shikha has requested depositors to avoid withdrawing money from banks unless absolutely necessary, assuring them that their funds are safe.

No bank in the world would be able to provide funds if all depositors tried to withdraw their money at once, she said in a press conference today on the current scenario in the banking sector.

Some banks are failing to repay depositors due to the withdrawal rush, Shikha said.

"Don't panic about the deposited money. Everyone will get their money back."

Shikha made the comments at a press conference held at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters in Dhaka today.

The banking regulator is extending liquidity support to some restructured banks, the central bank spokesperson said.

The board of directors of 11 banks – majority controlled by the controversial S Alam Group -- were reconstituted since the installation of the interim government in August this year.

Half of them are now struggling to repay depositors as the central bank has suspended providing liquidity support by printing money.

Three task forces were formed a month ago for banking sector reforms, Shikha said.

One of the task forces is working on banking reforms, another on increasing the efficiency of the banking sector workforce, and the third on recovering laundered money, she said.

Lawyers and consultants from different countries are being recruited in the task forces, she added.

Bangladesh saw a fall in inflation in this year's September, when it came down to 9.92 percent from August's 10.49 percent, according to data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

The BB executive director said inflation fell in the country thanks to the increase in the policy rate by the banking watchdog.

The policy rate, which now hovers around 10 percent, has been increased thrice since the beginning of the interim government's tenure, she said.

Inflation may come down to around 6 percent if the downward trend continues for the next six months, the BB spokesperson said.​