BRAC Bank Limited won prestigious ‘Best Bank in Bangladesh Award’ from FinanceAsia as part of Country Awards for Achievement 2013.

Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director and CEO of BRAC Bank, received the award from Denise Wee, Senior Bond Reporter of FinanceAsia, at the country awards gala dinner at Hotel Fort Canning in Singapore recently, said a press release.

M A Matin, Additional Managing Director of Uttara Bank Limited, and Patricia Riingen, Senior Vice President of Western Union, East & South Asia, jointly inaugurate a dedicated Western Union money transfer area at its Badda branch on Tuesday.

Uttara Bank Limited and The Western Union Company Tuesday unveiled a dedicated area at the bank’s Badda branch for Western Union® Money TransferSM services.

Under this system, customers will get faster and easier access to remittance services, along with a five-minute service pledge, said a press release.

A separate station for filling in forms, dedicated transaction counter, and a waiting zone with comfortable seating and complimentary refreshments, including coffee and tea will available in this zone.

M A Matin, Additional Managing Director of the bank said, “We have always endeavored to deliver exceptional service. We’re confident that this latest enhancement to our Badda branch, in collaboration with Western Union, will truly transform the transaction experience at what is an important remittance-receiving location in Dhaka.”

Patricia Riingen, Senior Vice President for East and South Asia, Western Union, said, “When customers use Western Union, our service is unrivalled when it comes to speed, convenience and reliability.”

Western Union and its agents operate over 12,000 locations across all 64 districts and 509 thanas in the country.

M Nazeem A. Choudhury, Head of Business, Consumer Banking of Eastern Bank Ltd, and Kader Nawaz, Director, Finance and Operation of Leisure Bangladesh Limited (LBL), exchange documents after signing an agreement in Dhaka recently.

Eastern Bank Ltimited (EBL) and Leisure Bangladesh Limited (LBL) signed an agreement in Dhaka recently.

M Nazeem A. Choudhury, Head of Business, Consumer Banking of Eastern Bank Ltd and Kader Nawaz, Director, Finance and Operation of Leisure Bangladesh Limited (LBL) signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations, said a press release.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman inaugurates a remittance company of City Bank at the CBL Money Transfer head office at Kulala Lumpur in Malaysia recently

City Bank Limited opened a subsidiary company titled 'CBL Money Transfer Sdn. Bhd.' in Malaysia with the approval of Bangladesh Bank and the central bank of Malaysia.

A colorful launching event was held at the CBL Money Transfer head office in Kulala Lumpur recently, said a press release.

Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr. Atiur Rahman launched the company as chief guest while AKM Atiqur Rahman, Bangladesh High Commissioner attended the function as special guest.

Mashrur Arefin, Deputy Managing Director and and CCO of City Bank, Allah Malik Kazemi, Advisor to Governor for Bangladesh Bank, Rubel Aziz, Chairman, Aziz Al Kaiser, Chairman of CBL Money Transfer and Director, Deen Mohammed, former chairman and Director and K Mahmood Sattar, Managing Director and CEO of City Bank attended the function.

CBL Money Transfer Sdn. Bhd is the 3rd Bangladeshi bank owned Remittance Company in Malaysia.

The company has started its operation with two branches in Kuala Lumpur and Malacca.

"There are currently some 500,000 to 800,000 Bangladeshi workers working in Malaysia and this number is increasing progressively," Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Atiur Rahman said at the opening.

Dr Atiur Rahman referred Malaysia as the fifth largest remittance market for Bangladesh and also the third largest destination for Bangladesh workers.

Rubel Aziz emphasised that CBL Money Transfer will provide ease of communication for the Bangladesh workers here.

"The company will be able to open accounts in Bangladesh via the remittance branches here," he said.

Aziz Al Kaiser said, "The company aiming to ensure money is remitted via the proper channel and with full compliance."

BRAC Bank Ltd has won “Best Bank in Bangladesh Award” in the FinanceAsia’s Country Awards for Achievement 2013.

The bank’s managing director and CEO Syed Mahbubur Rahman received the award on behalf of the bank at Country Awards Gala Dinner at Hotel Fort Canning in Singapore recently, said a press release.

“BRAC Bank pioneered lending to small and medium-sized enterprises in Bangladesh, which represent the bulk of economic activity but go ignored by the bigger lenders. The bank has contributed to a more inclusive growth model for Bangladesh,” FinanceAsia cited in award note.

The bank’s CEO said: “This is an honour for all of us, all 8,000 people at BRAC Bank as we celebrate 12th anniversary this year. We consider this international recognition as impetus to reach new height.”

“We have set an example locally and globally in financial inclusion through SME Financing. While we continue to focus on SME Banking and maintain our leadership position, we will strive for excellence in other areas too,” he added. This accolade comes as the second international honour for BRAC Bank in 2013 after “Best Managed Bank Award” from The Asian Banker earlier this year.