First Security Islami Bank Limited (FSIBL) has donated Tk 100,000 to the Wrishiz Shilpee Ghosthi as part of its efforts to promote art and culture of the country.

AAM Zakaria, managing director of FSIBL, handed over the cheque to Fakir Alamgir, president of Wrishiz Shilpee Ghosthi at FSIBL head office in a simple ceremony recently, said a press release.

Md Abdul Quddus, deputy managing director of the bank, was present on the occasion.

As part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, FSIBL has always been extending its supports to promote art and culture of the country and working for non-privileged community.

News: Daily Sun/ Bangladesh/ Mar-17-2011

Dhaka Bank Ltd recently opened its 57th branch in Jessore with all modern banking facilities including online banking.

Khondker Fazle Rashid, managing director of Dhaka Bank Limited inaugurated the branch as the chief guest, said a press release.

Among others, Azad Shamsi, head of marketing and Fakhrul Islam, head of operations, branch managers and distinguish clients were also present on the occasion.

News: Daily Sun/ Bangladesh/ Mar-16-2011

Premier Bank Ltd relocated its Gulshan branch to a new location on plot no 78 at Gulshan Avenue on Sunday.

Dr Syed Modasser Ali, health adviser to the prime minister and Dr. HBM Iqbal, chairman of the bank, were present on the occasion and inaugurated the new premise of the bank’s Gulshan branch, said a press release.

Professor Syed Modda- cher Ali in his speech thanked the bank’s chairman and said the Premier Bank has taken an important part in the banking service of the country. He also expressed hope that the relocated branch, with all kind of banking facilities, will help to increase the bank’s popularity in the country.

Bank’s Chairman Dr. H B M Iqbal said to meet the demand of the people of Gulshan area, the bank’s Gulashan branch was shifted to a new premise with vast facilities to make the service convenient for the clients. He urged the bank’s officials to provide quick and unique services to the customers.

Directors of Premier Bank-- Kazi Abdul Mazid, Md. Lutfur Rahman, Shah Mohammad Nahyan Haroon, Managing Director Niaz Habib, Additional Managing Director Abu Haniff Khan and Managing Director of Kollol Group Mr. Mostofa Kamal, Former Secretary and Chairman of DESCO Mr Shahjahan Siddiqui (Bir Pratik), Deputy Managing Directors A K M Shamsuddin and Dewan Anwarul Latif, Premier Bank’s Manager Branch Gulshan Mr.Saiful Huq and others high officials were also present on the occasion.

News: Daily Sun/ Bangladesh/ Mar-17-2011

Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Tuesday said that the World Bank has offered Bangladesh a US$ 25-30 million IDA credit to help repatriation of the Bangladeshi nationals staying in the troubled Lybia.

“The World Bank has offered support of US$ 25-30 million as an additional IDA which is not in our programme. They are also willing to pay if additional amount is required,” he said while talking to the reporters after a delegation of the World Bank, led by its country director Ellen Goldstein, met him at his ERD office.

The Finance Minister said that the World Bank fund will be spent to fly back Bangladeshis living in troubled Lybia, looking after them and rehabilitating them.

He said that the World Bank will not provide the budgetary support in the current year but it will extend its assistance in the next year.

Muhith informed that he had also discussed with the World Bank delegation regarding the overall programme of the World Bank, about the IDA allocations so that they were available within this year.

Asked about the World Bank’s stance on Grameen Bank, he quoted the WB saying that it is not a problem for them.

World Bank country director Ellen Goldstein said that they would go for retroactive financing for the repatriation of Bangladeshis so that the government can extend finance immediately to International Organisation of Migration (IOM).

She said that the WB offer is a usual IDA credit which has concessional element with less than one percent interest, 40 years of repayment and 10 years grace period featuring extremely high grant element.

Asked about the total amount of offer, she said,” We are not sure yet. But, looking somewhere in between US$20 to 30 million,”

She also hoped that the amount will be sufficient enough to make the financing gap to bring back 30,000 Bangladeshis.

Earlier, a delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) met the Finance Minister especially. They offered the government US$ 1 billion under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), sources present at the meeting said.

The Finance Minister said that the IMF has showed concerns over the exchange rate of currency. Commenting on US$ one billion ECF credit, the minister said that the negotiation on the proposal is almost at final stage.

The IMF delegation after returning to Washington will place the proposal before the Board.

On IMF’s view on the stock market, he said that stock market is not their headache, but their headache is exposure of the banks.

The IMF suggested for an efficient regulatory regime of the stock market, the Finance Minister said adding the reforms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is undergoing.

Bangladesh Bank governor Dr. Atiur Rahman, finance division secretary Dr. Mohammad Tareque, ERD secretary Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and deputy governor Ziaul Hasan Sidiqui were present.

News: Daily Sun/ Bangladesh/ Mar-16-2011

The National Bank Limited (NBL) yesterday recommended 95 per cent stock dividend for its shareholders for the year 2010 at its 28th annual general meeting held at Bangabandhu Internati- onal Conference Center in Dhaka yesterday.

The meeting was attended by more than 15,000 shareholders and the directors of the bank, chaired by Zainul Haque Sikder, chairman of the bank.

In his inaugural speech the chairman said the bank has achieved a remarkable success in the year 2010 because of timely implementation of policy directives of its board of directors, good advices of shareholders and concerted efforts of bank’s employees of all level.

NBL former chairman and sponsor director Abdul Awal Mintoo, Neaz Ahmed, its managing director, A K M Shafiqur Rahman, deputy managing director and secretary to the board, were also present in the meeting.

News: Daily Sun/ Bangladesh/ Mar-16-2011