Islami Bank has received another 2,500 crore taka (about US$210 million) in liquidity support from Bangladesh Bank. The bank’s acting managing director (MD), Md. Altaf Husain, said, however, that not all of the funds received had yet been used.
Speaking to journalists at Islami Bank’s head office on Monday, he said: “Yesterday, too, we received 2,500 crore taka from Bangladesh Bank.”
Altaf Husain also said the anxiety that had built up among customers around the bank recently was easing gradually. Expressing hope, he said those who had withdrawn their deposits out of fear would return, placing their trust in the bank once again.
The acting MD claimed that positive signs of customers’ confidence returning were also visible. He said data from one of the country’s large branches showed that the number of account closures had fallen by about 75 percent compared with earlier.
Altaf Husain said this trend signalled that confidence was returning among customers. He added that, in the new situation, the management was working to keep the bank’s normal operations running.
Answering a question from journalists, Altaf Husain said that under the bank’s rules the former chairman used an official car. The car would be taken back as soon as the letter removing the former chairman was handed over.
He said ensuring normal banking services for customers and restoring confidence in the bank were now the most important matters. The management and all concerned were working toward that goal.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Zahir Hossain, the Bangladesh Bank executive director in charge of Islami Bank’s board, said there was now no scope to look back. Calling on depositors to continue their transactions without disruption, he urged them to keep their trust in the bank.
He also said that vetting was under way to quickly form a full board of directors made up of qualified and fully independent people.
On forming Islami Bank’s independent board, Mohammad Zahir Hossain said a full board of five members was being formed. “Vetting is needed. We want to put fully independent people here who can run the bank competently. I hope you will get a good and independent board very soon.”
He further said he was currently serving as a one-member board for a limited period so that there would be no disruption to the bank’s operations.
Addressing depositors, Mohammad Zahir Hossain said: “There is no scope to look back. Continue your transactions without disruption. Keep your trust in the bank.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report