Banks asked to keep 5% provision for off-balance sheet exposures

The Bangladesh Bank today issued policy guidelines on the off-balance sheet (OBS) exposures in banks, asking them to keep a maximum of 5 per cent provision instead of 1 per cent to strengthen their financial health. A Bangladesh Bank official says that OBS exposures in banks have been increasing in recent years, which is why it drew up the guidelines to mitigate their unexpected financial risks.For example, when loans are securitised and sold off as investments, the secured debt is often kept off the bank’s books. For instance, letters of credit (LCs) issued by banks are considered an off-balance sheet item. But when a business people can’t settle the LCs on time, banks create a loan favouring the individual or entity such that the loan can be settled timely.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/banks-asked-keep-5-provision-balance-sheet-exposures-3304221

Bangladesh 12 notches up in World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index

Bangladesh has climbed 12 notches in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index 2023 thanks to competent and high-quality logistics services, timely shipments, and effective customs and border management. According to the seventh edition of the “Connecting to Compete” report released on 21 April, the country’s rank has improved to 88th out of 139 countries, from 100th in 2018.The country was 87th among 160 economies in 2016 and 108th in 2014. With a score of 2.6 on a 5-point scale, Bangladesh came in third among the five South Asian economies assessed in the 2023 index, behind India (38th) and Sri Lanka (73rd).The top 12 scorers are high-income economies, and most of them have for years been dominant players across international supply chain networks.

Source: https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/bangladesh-leaps-12-notches-world-banks-logistic-performance-index-621826

Eid remittance falls due to low dollar rate

Remittance inflow usually increases in Ramadan ahead of Eid but the amount of money sent home by Bangladeshis working abroad dropped by about $151 million in April compared to March due to a lower rate of the US dollar offered by banks. An analysis of central bank data reveals that the country received $1,423 million in remittances between 4 and 24 March, which fell to $1,272 million in the corresponding period of April. Of the received amount in April, $313 million came in the third week of the month, but the first two weeks each saw an inflow of over $475 million.

Source: https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/eid-remittance-falls-due-low-dollar-rate-621714