Dhaka Bank to launch AI-based instant loans

Dhaka Bank will soon be able to disburse small-scale personal loans within two hours after clients submit their application. As such, an account holder of the private lender will be able to take between Tk 10,000 and Tk 3 lakh in loans without producing any paper documents. Dhaka Bank yesterday signed an agreement with CASHe Alliance Ltd in order to manage technological support to roll out the new product. Emranul Huq, managing director of the bank, said the lender would start disbursing loans in this manner from next month on a pilot basis. The pilot programme will run until May, after which all clients of the bank can enjoy the service. Payroll accounts maintained with the bank will be initially eligible for the loans, Mr. Huq said. Around 60,000 payroll accounts are now maintained with the bank. Clients will not be required to provide any collateral to secure the loans. Instead, Dhaka Bank will scrutinise the credit status of loan seekers by verifying their credit information bureau report of the central bank. A dedicated mobile application has already been prepared and loan seekers will have to download it with their smartphone. The new initiative will help clients reduce the time needed to manage funds as people currently have to wait at least five to seven days to get a personal loan. In addition, clients will no longer need to visit bank branches to manage small loans. However, clients have to submit national identification related information and upload their picture with the app, Mr. Huq said.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/banks/news/dhaka-bank-launch-ai-based-instant-loans-2936746

 BB delineates CSR fund use

Bangladesh Bank yesterday issued guidelines on how banks and non-bank financial institutions should use corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, with focus on education, health and climate issues. In addition, the regulations gave priority to disaster management, building sustainable infrastructures in remote areas, sport and culture, and women empowerment. As per the guideline, lenders have to spend at least 30 per cent of their annual CSR funds in the educational sector. The central bank specified some segments of the education sector, including scholarships or stipends for children from low-income families and the physically challenged to prevent students from dropping out. The BB also instructed lenders to spend the fund to combat pandemics and epidemics like Covid-19, SARS, AIDS, dengue, malaria and other illnesses causing fatalities. On top of that, at least 20 per cent of the fund will have to be used to mitigate the crisis stemming from the ongoing climate change.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/seven-key-factors-fuel-fintech-innovation-2936416

Mr. Parimal Chandra promoted to ED at Bangladesh Bank

Parimal Chandra Chakraborty, general manager of EEF (Equity and Entrepreneurship Fund) Unit, Bangladesh Bank head office, was promoted to Executive Director (ED) on January 02. Mr Chakraborty joined the Bangladesh Bank as an assistant director in 1993. Besides working at head office, he held important positions at Bogura and Rangpur offices of the central bank. He is a recipient of Bangladesh Bank Employ-ees Recognition Award-2016. Mr Chakraborty completed his honours and master’s degrees in botany from Jagannath College (currently Jagannath University). He also did his MBA from Pundra University of Science and Technology.

Source: https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade-market/parimal-chandra-promoted-to-ed-at-bangladesh-bank-1641835025

StanChart named ‘Best Trade Finance Provider’

Standard Chartered was named the Best Trade Finance Provider for Bangladesh in 2021 by the Global Finance, a leading international finance magazine. The publication recently announced the World’s Best Trade Finance Providers in 102 countries, where Standard Chartered was recognised for its role in leading the trade finance space in Bangladesh with pioneering transactions and world-class services delivered through its unique global network. The magazine’s editorial review board selected the organisations based on entries from banks and other financial service providers, as well as input from industry analysts, corporate executives and technology experts. Criteria for choosing the winners included transaction volume, scope of global coverage, customer service, competitive pricing and innovative technologies.

Source: https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade-market/stanchart-named-best-trade-finance-provider-1641834959