Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has said that the interim government tried to keep the economy relatively stable and has faced many challenges and the challenges ahead are even greater.
He made these remarks at the annual conference of Sonali Bank, held at a convention center in the capital on Monday.
Salehuddin said, “The reforms we have undertaken are not enough. They will be helpful for the next government. The upcoming challenges must be handled more tactfully.”
Advising Sonali Bank officials to be professional during the tenure of an elected government, he said, “There will be pressure during a political government. You cannot say ‘no’ directly. You have to negotiate with those in power, explain to them the economic policies, banking laws, and audit norms.”
He also suggested that loans should be distributed through discussion and compromise. He called for greater emphasis on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) rather than large businesses in loan distribution.
The adviser said, “They play a role in creating employment. That is why they should receive more loans. Loans to big businesses also carry greater risks.”
Highlighting that “PLC” has now been added to Sonali Bank’s name, the bank’s Chairman Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury said, “The bank should be run as much as possible under a corporate structure. The authority to appoint the managing director should be given to the board. The board should have the power to hire and fire the MD.”
He said, “You must hold the board accountable. Review their performance, remove them, appoint them. Even as a state-owned bank, Sonali Bank is performing well.”
Sonali Bank’s Managing Director Shawkat Ali Khan said, “This year the default loan rate will be reduced to 10–12 percent. Next year it will come down to single digits.”
He added that once the default loan rate is reduced to 9 percent, the bank will focus on expanding export trade.
It may be noted that Sonali Bank, the country’s largest bank with 1,234 branches including two overseas branches, made an operating profit of Tk8,017 crore in 2025, an increase of Tk2,322 crore compared to 2024.
Highlighting this achievement, it was earlier announced at a press conference that deposits rose to Tk1,79,000 crore during the same period, which is Tk15,000 crore higher than in 2024.
Loan disbursement also increased by Tk5,500 crore compared to 2024, bringing the total to Tk1,04,723 crore.
