The Sonali Bank authorities have sought assistance from the Banking Division to get two new deputy managing directors (DMDs) on board after the incumbent DMDs have been made officer on special duty (OSD) in light of the recent loan scandal.

The managing director of the state-run bank made the request to Banking Division Secretary Shafiqur Rahman Patwari through an official letter Sunday.

Only three DMDs are working at Sonali Bank with huge amount of files pending, according to the letter.

Sources in the Banking Division and finance ministry said the Bank would not get new DMDs very soon since both the finance minister and secretary are currently out of the country.

Two deputy managing directors of Sonali Bank — Atiqur Rahman and Mainul Haque — have been made OSD for their alleged involvement in lending Tk 35.74 billion to Hall-Mark Group on forged documents.

The finance ministry issued an order to this effect on September 4 and warned that departmental action would be taken against the two.

Bangladesh Bank (BB) recently asked Sonali Bank to suspend 31 of its officials, including the two DMDs, over the loan scam.

The Bank suspended 17 of its officials over the fraud last week.

Earlier, the central bank in its audit found that the loan was given to Hall-Mark and a number of companies through fraudulent means.

News: Daily Sun/Bangladesh/10-Sep-12