The 78th branch of Export Import Bank of Bangladesh Limited (EXIM Bank) was inaugurated at Hemayetpur, Savar, Dhaka on Saturday.

Dr. Mohammed Haider Ali Miah, Managing Director and CEO of EXIM Bank inaugurated the branch as chief guest, said a press release.

Firoz Kabir, Upazila Chairman, Savar, M. Fariduddin Ahmed, Advisor, M. Sirajul Islam, Deputy Managing Director and Khondoker Rumy Ehsanul Haq senior executive of the bank, Shamsul Alam, MD, Abul Kashem, DMD of AKH Group and local elites were also present on the occasion.

News:Daily Sun/25-Nov-2013

South Bangla Agriculture and Commerce (SBAC) Bank Limited recently organised a seminar to exchange opinion and views among its officials.

Officials of various level of the bank attended at the seminar held at the corporate office of the bank, said a press release.

SM Amzad Hossain, Chairman of the bank was present at the meeting as the chief guest.

Md. Rafiqul Islam, Managing Director and CEO of the bank presided over the meeting.

Md Ghulam Nabi and Harun-ar-Rashid, Executive Vice Presidents of the bank were also present on the occasion.

News:Daily Sun/25-Nov-2013

A four-day-long training course on “Cash Management" was organised by Bank Asia Limited at Institute for Training and Development at Rangs Bhaban at Tejgoan in Dhaka recently.

The training course organised for the newly-recruited 29 tellers in an effort to improve their professional efficiency, said a press release.

Md. Mehmood Husain, President and Managing Director of the bank handed over the certificates to the participants at the concluding ceremony of the training programme.

Humaira Azam, Deputy Managing Director, Badruddin Ahmed, Training Counselor, Mamun Mahmud SVP and Head of HRD and Md. Azharul Islam, Vice President and Head of Training, were also present.

News:Daily Sun/25-Nov-2013

Expressing his concern over the ongoing political impasse, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said Saturday that country's all achievement will be ruined  if destructive trend continues.

He also said the people of the country are looking forward to the politicians to save them from self-destructive politics.

"We have achieved some good economic indicators in the last few years. But, all of these are facing challenge due to the growing political instability and destructive activities," he said while addressing a programme titled 'Mercantile Bank Abdul Jalil Education Scholarship-2012' at a city hotel.

BB Governor said that the political turmoil and lack of developed infrastructure affect the overall investment.

Upholding the economic development of the country, he said according to a London based research Bangladesh progressed in the seven from the eight indicators of development.  

Dr Rahman said the gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the country went up more than six percent amid the global recession and internal political crisis. The foreign currency reserve has also crossed the US$17 billion milestone, he said.

The central bank governor also mentioned that expenditures in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities undertaken by banks and non-banks financial institutions were increased six times during the last five years.

In last five fiscal years, the banks, financial and non-bank financial institutions spent Tk 30.05 million in conducting different CSR activities, he added.

The contribution of CSR activities to the growth of financial inclusion has strengthened and balanced the country's overall micro-economy, hepointed out.

In recent times, inflation came down to 7.03 per cent, forex reserve roared to US$ 17.6 billion and per capita income reached $ 1044, the governor said adding that the country's balance of payments was also in a very stable position right now.

Mercantile Bank Limited (MBL) organised the programme where some 174 students from various colleges and universities were awarded scholarship for their outstanding results.

Each of students received Tk 750 monthly basis for excellent results in JSC level, Tk 1000 monthly basis for brilliant results in SSC level and Tk 1500 monthly basis in HSC level.

MBL Managing Director M Ehsanul Haque said total 760 meritorious students will be awarded the scholarship from across the country. The bank will distribute the scholarships to district level students through nine branches of the bank. 

MBL chairman M Amanullah presided over the programme.

News:The Financial Express/24-Nov-2013

Asif Showkat Kallol

Although the prime minister has approved a new pay scale for Bangladesh Bank and four state-owned commercial banks three weeks before, implementation of it faces a fresh hurdle.

The government now finds no law under which a separate pay scale for the four state-owned banks could be materialised, said official sources.

In Bangladesh, the pay scales of any government offices are executed under the Services (Reorganisation and Conditions) Act, 1975.

But the state-owned commercial banks were made public limited companies in 2007 and remain outside the purview of the Services Act.

Finance Secretary was given the responsibility of ownership of those banks that include Sonali Bank, Janata Bank, Agrani Bank and Rupali Bank.

Rupali Bank has a 9% private ownership.

“There is no law for the pay-scale of the state-owned commercial banks. Finance Secretary has already been informed about it,” said a senior official at pay-scale implementation division at the finance ministry on Saturday.

Early this month, a government committee led by cabinet secretary Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan had submitted a proposal on a separate pay scale for the banks.

The new pay scale was then approved by the prime minister with increase in the employees’ basic salaries.

Under the new 11-grade pay scale, which will replace the existing 20-grade pay structure, the basic salary for those in the lowest grade will be Tk6,000 and Tk55,000 for the highest grade.

After a meeting with cabinet division on 14th this month, finance minister AMA Muhith told the journalists that the government would issue an order on the new pay scale just the following week.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Atiur Rahman described the PM’s approval to new pay scale as an achievement for the central bank and the state-run commercial banks.

The scale separated the banks’ pay scale from the national pay scale.

“After the government issues order in this regard, I will take matter to the central bank’s board,” said Dr Atiur Rahman. 

News:Dhaka Tribune/24-Nov-2013