Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in presence of Chairman of EXIM Bank Md. Nazrul Islam Mazumder and Director Mohammed Abdullah, handing over a cheque of Tk 38 lac 40 thousand as yearly contribution of the fourth year out of ten years financial assistance to 8 families affected by BDR carnage in 2009 at a function held at Gono Bhaban recently.

Financial Express/Bangladesh/ 4th March 2012

Bank Alfalah Ltd will intensify its brand activities in Bangladesh's growing market in testimony to the Bank's strong commitment.

"I am happy to see the economic development of Bangladesh and we are ready to strengthen our brand operation here aiming to satisfy Bangladesh clients in a more focused way," Hamid M Mirza, head of marketing of Bank Alfalah Ltd told the FE in an interview recently.

Mr Mirza arrived Bangladesh from Karachi on a three-day visit last week.

"Our Bank is a great supporter of cricket and we will definitely consider any sponsorship offer from the Bangladesh authority to finance the development of cricket in the country," Mr Mirza replied to a question on the recently held Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

Bank Alfalah is a patron of prestigious cricket tournaments in Sharjah and Dubai for years.

Market insiders said the BPL has paved the way for the corporate entities of Bangladesh to be familiarized with the huge 'cash-provoked franchising method' of renowned cricket players.

S A A Masrur, country head of Bangladesh operations of Bank Alfalah said the Bank will widen its branch network in the country subject to the approval of Bangladesh Bank.

The Bank has now five branches operating in Bangladesh.

The Bank also remains active in CSR activities in Bangladesh specially in education and conservation of natural resources.

Bank Alfalah Limited was incorporated on June 21st, 1992 as a public limited company under the Companies Ordinance 1984. Its banking operations commenced from November 1st ,1997. The Bank is engaged in commercial banking and related services as defined in the Banking companies ordinance, 1962. The Bank is currently operating through various branches in Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh & Afghanistan, with the registered office at B.A.Building, I.I.Chundrigar, Karachi.

Since its inception, as the new identity of H.C.E.B after the privatization in 1997, the management of the Bank has implemented strategies and policies to carve a distinct position for the Bank in the market place.

Strengthened with the banking of the Abu Dhabi Group and driven by the strategic goals set out by its board of management, the Bank has invested in revolutionary technology to have an extensive range of products and services.

The Bank has branches in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Bahrain.

Financial Express/Bangladesh/ 4th March 2012

BRAC Bank handed over on the spot loan to small and medium enterprises (SME) entrepreneurs at a conference of SME entrepreneurs and bankers in Barisal recently, says a press release. Md Abul Quasem, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, inaugurated the ‘SME entrepreneurs and bankers conference’ organised by SME Foundation and Bangladesh Bank at Barisal Club.

He also handed over loan sanction documents of BRAC Bank to the local entrepreneurs.The entrepreneurs receiving loan sanction documents from BRAC Bank were –Sikder Enterprise, Lamia Clothes and Fima Fashion and Tailors. BRAC Bank disbursed Tk 27.50 lakh as SME loan to these entrepreneurs.  

Advocate Shawkat Hossain Hiron, mayor, Barisal City Corporation, Syed Rezwanul Kabir, managing director of SME Foundation, Sukamal Sinha Choudhury, general manager, SME and special programmes department, Bangladesh Bank, were also present.

Abdur Rahman, head of SME Banking, BRAC Bank, senior officials of different Banks and local entrepreneurs attended the programme.

BRAC Bank gives priority to lending in small and medium enterprises in rural areas. Within 10 years of operation, the Bank has disbursed more than Tk 18,000 crore loan to over 3.76 lakh SME entrepreneurs in the country realizing million dreams and creating huge employment opportunities in the country.

The Daily Independent/Bangladesh/ 4th March 2012

Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) has geared up its loan disbursement drive in order to boost agricultural production in the country.

The Bank disbursed loan of Tk 37.31 billion during last eight months of the current fiscal year which is 62 percent against the annual target.

During the period, the Bank recovered loans amounting to Tk 28.34 billion, 54 percent more than the target and Tk 4.89 billion more than that in the corresponding period of last fiscal. It is mentionable that Krishi Bank has taken all steps to fulfill the target giving emphasis on disbursing loans in crop, fisheries, livestock and SME with other sector.

The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/ 4th March 2012

SA Chowdhury, CEO and managing director, Muhammad Asaduzzaman, DGM of Bangladesh Commerce Bank Limited and Md Sirajul Haque, principal, Md Eskandar Miah, DGM of Financial Intelligence Unit of Bangladesh Bank, seen at the inaugural function of an anti-money laundering workshop in the city recently.

Bangladesh Commerce Bank Limited (BCBL) recently arranged a workshop on “Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing” for its officials.

SA Chowdhury, CEO and managing director of the Bank, formally inaugurated the workshop at the training institute of the Bank, said a press release.

The Daily Sun/Bangladesh/ 4th March 2012