Photo : BSS

By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Aug 17, 2026 (BSS) - Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) has made tremendous progress in various financial indicators during the last one year creating a hope of infusing dynamism into the economic activities in the region.

The bank's deposits have increased by Tk 855.71 crore. During the same period, net loss has decreased by Tk 171.15 crore.

According to the bank authorities, this progress has been achieved due to the current management's zone-based supervision, regular guidance at the field level, and various reform initiatives.
 
Since its establishment on March 15, 1987, RAKUB has been working for the socio-economic development of farmers in the country’s northwest region consisting of all 16 districts under Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions.

According to bank sources, competing with other scheduled banks, the institution has recently achieved significant success in various indicators.

Bank sources also said that RAKUB's recent progress was appreciated in the latest Governor's meeting held with Managing Directors of the bank.
 
According to RAKUB's information, in the last 2025-2026 fiscal year, the bank's deposits have increased by Tk 855.71 crore. This is the highest achievement compared to any time in the past.

On the other hand, in the previous 2024-2025 fiscal year, the bank's net loss was Tk 289.39 crore. In the last fiscal year, it has come down to Tk 118.24 crore. That is, in one year, net loss has decreased by Tk 171.15 crore.
 
The amount of provision against the bank's classified loans (CL) has also decreased.

In the previous fiscal year, the amount of provision was Tk 702.87 crore. In the last fiscal year, it has decreased to Tk 689.74 crore. That is, the amount of provision has decreased by Tk 13.13 crore.

Bank sources said that currently, while the classified loan rate of various scheduled banks is more than 30 percent, RAKUB's CL is about 16 percent.

As the first bank in the country, RAKUB has successfully implemented the government's special initiative to provide financial relief to small and marginal farmers.
 
Under the initiative, agricultural loans up to Taka 10,000 have been repaid in terms of both interest and principal.
 
Under this programme, loans totalling Taka 225 crore 74 lakh 99 thousand for a total of 229,933 farmer families have been repaid through the government.
 
According to bank sources, under this programme, loans of Taka 178 crore 92 lakh 48 thousand for 179,278 farmer families in Rangpur Division and loans of Taka 46 crore 81 lakh 39 thousand for 50,637 farmer families in Rajshahi Division have been repaid by the government.

To make the bank's operations more dynamic, various initiatives have been taken, including a new organogram, housing loan policy and motorcycle loan policy.

Besides, there is an initiative to implement a new program under the Tk 3,000 crore package announced by the government.

The bank authorities hope that these steps will play a role in improving the financial condition of agriculture and farmers in the north-western region.
 
Sources also said that initiatives have been taken to reduce expenditure on various types of purchases by the bank.

In particular, strict monitoring is being ensured to ensure transparency and accountability in purchases in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
 
At a time when the bank management is taking initiatives to overcome various obstacles of the past and turn around, a group is creating obstacles in various ways.

In 38 years at RAKUB, about 60 Managing Directors have been changed. At various times, Managing Directors have been prevented from working normally by creating mob chaos, propaganda and intimidation.
 
General Manager of RAKUB Taj Uddin said RAKUB is conducting various activities to improve the living standards of farmers in the northern region. Overcoming all the existing obstacles, RAKAB will move forward, he added.
 
The bank authorities claim that RAKAB wants to maintain this recent progress in financial indicators and play a more effective role in the development of agriculture and farmers.

RAKUB has also expressed its commitment to stand by the farmers in the future by implementing various agriculture-friendly programmes.