United News of Bangladesh

Officers ‘deprived of promotion’ at state-owned Sonali, Agrani, Janata and Rupali banks formed a human chain in front of the Bangladesh Bank on Sunday (November 30), demanding an end to what they described as longstanding discrimination in career advancement. The aggrieved officials alleged that widespread supernumerary promotions were granted after the recent political changeover without adherence to rules, leaving many qualified officers sidelined. Speakers at the demonstration accused the Financial Institutions Division (FID) of unwarranted interference in the promotion process. They called for merit-based promotions under regular vacancies and updated organograms, alongside proper evaluation of those who were denied advancement during the previous Awami League government for political reasons. Read more: Ex-Padma Bank chairman Nafis Sarafat, 3 others sued for embezzling over Tk 1600cr   According to the protesters, the current interim government has already addressed discrimination in the civil service by granting officials — both active and retired — promotions of one to three steps since 2024. The officials alleged that despite thousands of supernumerary promotions in state-owned banks last year, the long-standing grievances of genuinely deprived staff have yet to be addressed. They further claimed that instead of addressing the issue in 2025, the FID introduced a new ‘post assimilation’ directive that has deprived many officers once again, resulting in no progress in the promotion process this year. The officials claimed a vested group within the ministry was pushing discriminatory policies to create instability in the banking sector and portray the previous government as the better alternative. Read more: Bangladesh Bank orders pay cuts for Sammilito Islami Bank’s employees To restore discipline in the sector, the protesters placed a three-point demand, including an end to what they termed illegal interference by the FID in areas such as promotions, incentives, loan approval, organogram updates and post assimilation—matters they said legally fall under the authority of bank boards as per the Vendor’s Agreement and relevant Articles of Association. They also sought cancellation of all related directives issued by the ministry. They urged the authorities to issue circulars inviting applications from officers who faced discrimination between 2009 and 4 August 2024, and to ensure at least one promotion for them by December this year. The protesters also called for a transparent and modern promotion policy modelled on the Bangladesh Bank system. Read more: Merged bank to be launched this week: BB Governor Mansur

Three robbers were detained by law enforcers in connection with an attempted robbery at  Jinjira branch of Rupali Bank in Dhaka's Keraniganj on Thursday afternoon. The detainees—Nirob, Riafat, and Arafat—were detained after their surrender, said Mazharul Islam, officer-in-charge of South Keraniganj Police Station. They were later taken to the RAB 10 headquarters for questioning. Journalist Turab killing: Ex-ADC of Sylhet Police Dastagir placed on 5-day remand OC Mazharul Islam mentioned that a press conference would be held later to provide further details to the media. Meanwhile, bank manager Shekhar Mondal declined to comment on the incident. No casualties were reported, and the bank is currently assessing the extent of any damages, the OC added. Earlier, the robbers entered the bank disguised as customers around 2 pm and held the bank staff hostage at gunpoint.

Police and local residents on Thursday locked a group of suspected robbers inside a branch of Rupali Bank at Chunkutia in south Keraniganj, Dhaka. Police surrounded the bank branch and are urging the robbers to surrender, according to witnesses. Officer-in-charge (OC) of South Keraniganj Police Station Mazharul Islam said that the robbers entered the bank disguised as customers around 2 pm and held the bank staff hostage at gunpoint. Police arrest 5 suspects who committed robbery posing as RAB in Dhaka Sensing the situation, local residents locked the robbers inside the bank and contacted the national emergency number, 999. Infant abducted after robbery in Dhaka’s Azimpur

Six major state-owned banks—Sonali, Janata, Agrani, Rupali, BASIC, and Bangladesh Development Bank (BDBL)—have been operating without managing directors (MDs) for nearly a month, creating a leadership vacuum in these key financial institutions. The Ministry of Finance sent a letter on September 19, officially canceling the contracts of the MDs for these banks. In response, the chairmen of the banks have urged Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed to expedite the appointment of new MDs. Banks hit by liquidity crunch: Limited cash withdrawals spark nationwide frustration In a meeting on Monday, Sonali Bank Chairman Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury, Agrani Bank Chairman Syed Abu Nasser Bakhtiar Ahmed, and Rupali Bank Chairman Nazrul Huda met with the finance adviser to discuss the urgent need for leadership in the banks. They stressed the importance of filling the vacant MD positions as soon as possible. A chairman who attended the meeting confirmed that they had formally requested new MD appointments, and the finance adviser assured them that the matter would be reviewed. Finance Adviser urges banks to ensure rigorous loan scrutiny and inclusive lending Since the September 19 letter, the MDs have been officially removed from office, leaving the banks to operate without their top executives.

Seven banks filed 4,305 cases against farmers over unpaid loans of around Tk 12.67 crore in the district.