The Board of Directors of RAKUB held the 592nd board meeting with its Chairman Dr Muhammad Ali in the chair. Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, May 22, 2025 (BSS) - Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) has been 
playing a pioneering role towards bolstering the agro-based economy through 
financial investment in the country's northwest region.
 
The specialized state-owned commercial bank has been providing loans to the 
grassroots farmers to supplement the government efforts of making the country 
self-reliant in food production.
 
The Board of Directors of the bank revealed this today while sharing their 
views in the 592nd board meeting with its Chairman Dr Muhammad Ali in the 
chair.
 
Through its 383 branches at present, RAKUB is operating its activities as the 
largest development partner in all the 16 northwest districts of Rajshahi and 
Rangpur divisions targeting the agricultural sector and all its sub-sectors.
 
As the largest development partner in agriculture as well as agro-based 
industrial sector of northwest Bangladesh, currently, the bank has adopted 
the effective work plan which is being implemented at the grassroots-level to 
attain all the targets within the stipulated time.
 
RAKUB has not only developed the agricultural sector in the country's 
northwest region but also played a vital role in its agro-based 
industrialisation.
 
RAKUB Managing Director Wahida Begum and Directors Shahidul Islam, Khandaker 
Azim Ahmed, Dr Abdul Hai Sarker, Dr Mahammad Azizur Rahman and Saifuddin 
Yeahia joined the meeting at RAKUB headquarters boardroom.
 
Wahida Begum said that they have set a target of disbursing loans worth Taka 
4,100 crore for increasing crop production and boosting rural economy 
everywhere in the country's northwest zone during the current 2024-25 fiscal 
year.
 
They have also attained a neat profit worth Taka 2.98 crore together with 
attaining cherished success in all financial indicators during the previous 
financial year.
 
At present, the number of loss-making branches has reduced to 12, declining 
the number to 48 in the last fiscal year from the previous year's 60. 

Apart from this, deposit and debit balances have been inclined to Taka 7,180 
crore and Taka 7,837 crore from the previous year's Taka 6,777 crore and Taka 
7,587 crore respectively.
 
On the contrary, the balance of classified loans has reduced to Taka 1,242 
crore from Taka 1,430 crore reaching the classified loan to 16 percent from 
19 percent.
 
She also said their clients are availing the scopes of opening bank accounts 
and paying bills of various utility services staying at home.
 
Around 40 lakh clients of the bank are being benefited in many ways, 
including banking transactions anytime and from anywhere, bill payment of 
utility services and opening new bank accounts from home.