NPL won’t increase anymore; reiterates Kamal

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DHAKA, Sept 17, 2019 (BSS) – Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal today
reiterated that the amount and number of the Non Performing Loans (NPLs)
would not enhance anymore as there would remain no measure which would shoot
up the NPL.

“I believe, the NPL would not increase anymore as there will remain no
measure for enhancing the NPL, “he said after holding a meeting with the
Chairmen, Managing Directors and CEOs of the four state owned banks namely —
Sonali Bank Ltd, Agrani Bank Ltd, Rupali Bank Ltd and Janata Bank Ltd — at
the NEC Conference Room-1 in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

Financial Institution Division Senior Secretary Md Ashadul Islam and the
Chairmen, Managing Directors and CEOs of these four banks attended the
meeting.

Kamal said those who are involved in the banking scams, either the
customers or the bank officials, are being brought under the purview of law.

“Punitive measures are being taken against the culprits. We are taking
due legal process where it is applicable. Where it is not applicable, we’re
planning to bring changes in to the law. That’s why NPL won’t increase,” he
said.

The Finance Minister informed that the statements of these banks would be
made public on quarterly basis as the government wants to run these banks
with transparency and accountability.

He said that these four state owned commercial banks today submitted
their work plan before him on how to run those effectively so that their
operating profit increases side by side their revenue expenses decreases.

“We’ve reached into a consensus on how to get rid of the NPL culture,” he
said adding that from now on if any borrower take loan from the banking
channel, it would be adequately covered either in the form of mortgage or any
other thing.

Apart from this, the Chairman and directors of the borrowing entities
would also have to give personal guarantee so that action could be taken
against them if they fail in debt servicing.

Noting that these four banks play an important role in the country’s
banking sector as well as in the economy, Kamal said he would sit with the
high-ups of these banks in every three months to evaluate their performances.

“I believe, the way we’ve taken our plans and thus could implement those
properly, there would remain no concern over these banks. We won’t anymore
need to suffer for these banks,” he added.

When asked which laws would be amended, the Finance Minister said they
would amend the concerned laws where there are deviations. “If so, both the
borrowers and lenders would be benefitted,”

Replying to another question over the formation of the banking
commission, he said at first the government is putting emphasis on bringing
all the necessary things in place through reforming the necessary laws, rules
and regulations.

He, however, declined to make any comment about the reserve heist at the
Bangladesh Bank since it is a sub-judice matter.