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Rasel Mahmud

  • Senior Reporter

Rasel Mahmud: Senior Reporter
Release of $3 billion foreign loan may get stuck
IMF
Report

Release of $3 billion foreign loan may get stuck

Bangladesh has already held several meetings over the release of the fourth and fifth installments of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. But uncertainty looms over the release of the fourth tranches as Bangladesh could not fulfil the prior conditions, and there has been disagreement between the government and the IMF over the issues. Even if Bangladesh exits this loan programme, there are concerns about getting the $3 billion in the loan pipeline from international lending organizations.

Deposits in no-frills accounts increasing
Time to initiate urgent reforms in the banking sector
Report

Deposits in no-frills accounts increasing

In the December quarter of 2024, the number of millionaire depositors in the country's banking sector increased. At the same time, deposits in No-Frills Accounts (NFA) also saw a rise. According to the latest report from Bangladesh Bank, by the end of December, deposits in these accounts stood at 4,685 crore BDT, up from 4,465 crore BDT in the same period of 2023. This marks an increase of 220 crore BDT or 4.69% over the year.

Talk of the country: Student-led new political party
Talk of the country: Student-led new political party
Report

Talk of the country: Student-led new political party

Tea vendor Abdul Halim resides in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area, running a small shop where he serves tea throughout the day. His profession brings him in contact with people from various backgrounds, engaging in discussions that range from law and order to criticisms of Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. However, in recent days, one topic has dominated all discussions—the emergence of a new political party led by students.

Banks see growth in deposits of young students
Banks see growth in deposits of young students
Report

Banks see growth in deposits of young students

As of December 2024, the total deposits of school students in banks stood at 2,071 crore BDT. In November, the amount was 2,041 crore BDT, indicating an increase of 30 crore BDT within a month. This information comes from the latest report on school banking published by the Bangladesh Bank.

66% of loans in default: Janata Bank struggles to stay afloat
66% of loans in default: Janata Bank struggles to stay afloat
Report

66% of loans in default: Janata Bank struggles to stay afloat

For the past decade and a half, the state-owned Janata Bank has held the top spot in discussions and criticisms within the country’s banking sector. Allegations persist that the bank has favored individuals and groups with political influence, granting them massive loans with minimal collateral. As a result, the bank has accumulated an enormous amount of non-performing loans (NPLs).

Frozen bank accounts rise, money remains unrecovered
Frozen bank accounts rise, money remains unrecovered
Report

Frozen bank accounts rise, money remains unrecovered

On August 5 last year, following Sheikh Hasina's departure from the country amid a mass uprising, winds of change swept across almost every sector, including politics and the economy. As part of this transformation, the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, pledged to restructure the banking sector. He dissolved the boards of 11 "corrupt" banks and reconstituted them while initiating comprehensive banking reforms. He also assured that efforts would be made to recover money laundered from the banking sector. However, in the past six months, there has been little progress in retrieving these laundered funds.