Mobile operator Airtel yesterday signed an agreement with Dutch Bangla Bank Ltd to introduce M-commerce services to a larger segment of people. The partnership will facilitate Airtel customers with banking facilities delivered by Dutch Bangla Bank at their fingertips, said a press release. The signing ceremony was held at the Banani corporate office of Airtel Bangladesh. Under the deal, Airtel subscribers will be able to open bank accounts and avail banking services and in addition to that, the existing DBBL mobile banking customers can get service at Airtel outlets, the news release said.

News: Daily Sun/ Bangladesh/ 20-Sep-11

Eastern Bank Limited (EBL) launched “EBL Krishi Rin” by distributing agriculture loan among nearly 100 farmers of Dhamrai Upazilla at a function held at Savar Pourasabha Auditorium yesterday. Renowned media personality, Shykh Siraj and managing director and CEO of Eastern Bank Limited, Ali Reza Iftekhar presented cheques to the farmers at the launching ceremony, said a press release.

Any person involved with farming for at least a year can apply for this loan. The loan will be available to cultivate a maximum of five acres of land.

News: Daily Sun/ Bangladesh/ 20-Sep-11

Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited opened its 102nd branch at Ashkona, Dakshin Khan in the city recently. KS Tabrez, managing director of Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited formally inaugurated the branch. The new branch of the bank will provide actual on-line banking facilities to the customers of the bank. KS Tabrez, managing director of the bank informed that DBBL already provides a wide array of banking products and financial services including card services to its retail and corporate customers and added that the bank has started mobile banking operation, first of this kind in the country to reach banking services to the doorsteps of the millions of rural people.

DBBL serves over 1.7 million customers throughout the country, the managing director of the bank said. Among others, Md Mosaddiqur Rahman, deputy managing director of the bank and local elites of the area were present on the occasion.

News: Daily Sun/ Bangladesh/ 20-Sep-11

People getting donation from the Hindu Welfare Trust under the Ministry of Religious Affairs will be allowed to open the ten-taka bank accounts, in line with a latest decision by the Central Bank. Banking Regulation and Policy Department of BB yesterday issued a circular to this effect, directing all scheduled banks to ensure banking facility to the distressed Hindu community people who normally face financial exclusion.

Besides farmers and freedom fighters, the poor members of the Hindu community will be allowed to open bank accounts after showing the national ID cards and certificates issued by the Trust.Those poor people will have bank accounts depositing only ten taka and banks can not put any minimum deposit limits for them. Earlier, BB had provided the same facility for the marginal farmers and freedom fighters to make them avail of the banking facility and help them easily get cash subsidies and allowances through those accounts.

News: Daily Sun/ Bangladesh/ 19-Sep-11

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited organised the concluding session of a day long business development conference for the zonal heads, branch incumbents, foreign exchange in-charges, investment in-charges and responsible officials of all the branches under Dhaka central zone and all authorized dealer, selected forwarding branches of Rajshahi, Bogra, Khulna, Comilla, Mymensingh and Barisal zones at Mohammad Younus Auditorium of Islami Bank Tower on September 16, says a press release.
Prof Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher, chairman, board of directors of the bank was present in the session as the chief guest.  Presided over by Mohammad Abdul Mannan, managing director of the bank, the conference attended by Engr Md Eskander Ali Khan, chairman, executive committee. The programme was addressed among others by Md Habibur Rahman, deputy managing director, Investment Wing and Md Nurul Islam, deputy managing director, International Banking Wing. 
Md Setaur Rahman, deputy managing director, Dhaka central zone, Md Habibur Rahman Bhuiyan, deputy managing director, Internal Control and Compliance Wing, top executives of head office and zonal heads were also attended the conference.

News: The Independent/ Bangladesh/ 18-Sep-11