United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) held its 43rd Annual General Meeting at Kurmitola Golf Club in the capital on Thursday, where shareholders unanimously approved commitments to strengthen governance, expand technology‑driven banking services and build a sustainable capital structure, the bank said in a press release.
Sharif Zahir, chairman of the board, chaired the meeting, which was attended by independent director and vice chairman Md Shazzad Hossoin, director and executive committee chairman Md Tanvir Khan, independent director and audit committee chairman Imam Hasan FCA, independent director and risk management committee chairman Md Yusuf Ali, managing director and chief executive officer Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid and deputy managing director and chief financial officer Faruk Ahammad FCA.
UCB reported that despite macroeconomic challenges, it achieved notable business growth and modernisation in 2025. The bank recorded its highest‑ever deposit growth of 23 percent — more than double the industry average of 11 percent — increasing total deposits by approximately BDT 13,000 crore to BDT 68,394 crore, while adding around 678,000 new customer accounts during the period.
Through efficient balance‑sheet management, UCB reduced its loan‑to‑deposit ratio from 91.3 percent to 83 percent, significantly strengthening its liquidity position. Loans and advances grew by 8 percent and approximately BDT 114 crore was recovered from classified and written‑off loans — nearly three times the amount recovered the previous year.
UCB noted that new regulatory policies had temporarily pushed the classified loan ratio to 19 percent; however, strengthened risk management and intensified recovery efforts brought it down by nearly 4 percentage points to 15.5 percent.
Islamic banking operations also posted significant growth, with deposits rising 163 percent and investments increasing by 145 percent. Inclusive banking saw a milestone as UCB’s agent banking operations recorded profitability for the first time, the statement added.
Disciplined cost management helped reduce other operating expenses by approximately BDT 97 crore, even as the bank expanded business with only a 3 percent increase in workforce.
In the technology sector, UCB elevated its digital capabilities with the launch of the country’s first microservices‑based open API banking platform and the UCB One App, lifting digital transactions to nearly 65 percent of the bank’s total transaction volume.
Shareholders expressed satisfaction with recent performance and progress, the bank said.
At the conclusion of the meeting, company secretary Tanvir A Siddique FCA thanked shareholders, regulatory authorities and stakeholders for their continued support and trust, and with the approval of the chairman declared the meeting closed.
