A delegation of the Islami Bank Conscious Customer Forum on Wednesday met Bangladesh Bank officials and submitted a seven-point demand charter calling for sweeping changes in the governance, ownership structure and legal framework of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC, including restoration of its pre-2017 ownership arrangement.
According to a Bangladesh Bank statement, the three-member delegation met Deputy Governor Md Kabir Ahmed at around 11am and presented their proposals.
The forum’s convener Nur Nobi Manik told reporters after the meeting that the demands centre on restructuring Islami Bank’s board and reversing ownership changes made in 2017.
The forum called for the formation of a full and independent board comprising what it described as honest, qualified, experienced and politically neutral professionals selected through stakeholder consultation.
It also demanded restoration of ownership rights to shareholders it said were displaced in 2017 through what it described as a forced takeover using state authority.
A third demand called for the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute individuals accused of large-scale financial irregularities in the banking sector and ensure what the forum described as exemplary punishment for those responsible for what it termed banking-sector looting.
The group further demanded recovery of allegedly siphoned funds and confiscation of assets linked to individuals accused of financial misconduct.
It also called for measures to stabilise Islami Bank and restore depositor confidence, including avoidance of what it termed controversial policy decisions affecting the banking sector.
Another demand sought amendment of Section 18A of the Bank Company Act, which the forum says allows individuals accused of financial wrongdoing to re-enter bank ownership and control structures.
The final demand called for withdrawal of political and parliamentary statements it claims misrepresented Islami Bank-related issues and for an end to any attempt to restore disputed ownership arrangements.
