The government has launched an investigation into the chairmen, directors, and managing directors (MDs) of 26 banks that were under control during the 15 years of the ousted Awami League government.
This includes six state-owned banks—Sonali, Rupali, Janata, Agrani, Basic, and BDBL—and 18 private commercial banks, such as Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, IFIC Bank, UCBL, EXIM, First Security Islami, Al-Arafah Islami, Global Islami, Union, National, NRB, NRB Global, Meghna, Bangladesh Commerce, Premier, Padma, AB Bank, and ICB Islami Bank.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is collecting details on the bank accounts and assets of the former officials, following reports of corruption within these institutions.
While many of these banks have changed leadership, the impact of past management continues. The ACC is investigating their financial dealings, focusing on mismanagement, loan scandals, and irregularities.
An official from the Financial Institutions Division confirmed that corruption in some banks has led to an inability to return customer deposits, causing financial instability. In response, Bangladesh Bank has restructured the boards of several private banks and is considering mergers. The official emphasized that the interim government is actively addressing these issues.
During a recent press briefing, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed revealed widespread financial embezzlement and money laundering, involving several bank chairmen and directors. He also disclosed that some banks had alarming non-performing loan (NPL) ratios, with one bank’s ratio reported at 95 percent.
The investigation also includes governors, deputy governors of Bangladesh Bank, and heads of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) who served from 2009 until the fall of the Hasina government on August 5, 2024.