BB in a fix with next monetary policy

The Bangladesh Bank faces a complex situation as it draws up its monetary policy statement for the current fiscal year in the wake of escalating excess liquidity and ongoing business slowdown. The central bank has followed an unconventional monetary policy since March last year when the coronavirus arrived on the shore of the country. It cut both the policy rates and the cash reserve ratio (CRR) in phases to inject liquidity into the market to make the economy vibrant.The expansionary monetary policy has made money cheaper than ever as the BB has also supplied a large volume of funds to implement the massive stimulus packages of the government to counter the impacts of the pandemic.Excess liquidity in the banking sector stood at Tk 231,462 crore as of June, up 66 per cent year-on-year and 9 per cent a month ago. This has primarily happened due to the weak private sector credit growth, which stood at 8.40 per cent last fiscal year against the central bank target of 14.80 per cent. Experts say the central bank should maintain its expansionary monetary policy. At the same time, it should also mop up the excess liquidity to protect the financial sector from downside risks.The benchmark index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange has surged in recent months riding on the excess liquidity. The DSEX stood at 6,389 points yesterday, up 54 per cent one year ago.A senior official of the central bank said that the policy would emphasise attaining the GDP growth of 7.2 per cent and contain the inflation at 5.3 per cent as per the government target for the current fiscal year.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/banks/news/bb-fix-next-monetary-policy-2138661

City Bank enrolls to IFC’s Global Trade Finance Prog

City Bank has entered into an agreement with IFC to participate in the Global Trade Finance Programme (GTFP) as a confirming bank. With this, City Bank has become the first bank in Bangladesh to participate in the programme as a confirming bank. Sheikh Mohammad Maroof, Additional Managing Director of City Bank, and Rosy Khanna, IFC Regional Industry Director, Financial Institutions Group – Asia and Pacific, signed this agreement. IFC launched the GTFP in 2005 to support the development of trade involving emerging economies. Under this program, IFC offers full or partial guarantees to the confirming banks participating in the GTFP, effectively taking on their payment risks. City Bank joined the GTFP program in 2012 as an issuing bank. Sheikh Mohammad Maroof, Additional Managing Director of City Bank, has expressed his delight adding that the arrangement with IFC is a testament to City Bank’s strength and capabilities. This arrangement will further strengthen City Bank’s ability in facilitating country’s trade business. Through this agreement, as a first Bangladeshi private commercial bank, City Bank will emerge as a LC confirming bank in the arena of international trade finance, which is a matter of great pride for Bangladeshi bank.

Source: https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/city-bank-enrolls-to-ifcs-global-trade-finance-prog-1627404637

Standard Chartered BD wins Best Bank in Covid -19 Initiatives

Standard Chartered Bangladesh has recently been recognised as the Best Bank in Covid -19 Initiatives and Best CSR Bank in Bangladesh at the BT Banking Award 2021. The Bank’s commitment to support Bangladesh’s continued journey of prosperity even in the face of the Covid-19 challenge saw the bank secure 25 major international awards in the past year, said a statement. The bank was also recognised as the international bank with the highest CSR spend in 2020 by Bangladesh Bank. For 2021, Standard Chartered Bangladesh has announced a BDT 135 Million (USD 1.6 million) strategic Covid-19 response action plan that supports healthcare and immediate assistance, regenerate livelihood and catalyse long-term growth.

Source: https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/stock-corporate/standard-chartered-bd-wins-best-bank-in-covid-19-initiatives-best-csr-bank-awards-1627404577

 Nagad to issue Tk 5.0b zero-coupon bond

Nagad, the mobile financial services arm of Bangladesh Postal Department, plans to issue zero-coupon bonds worth Tk 5 billion, which will have a face value of Tk 7.5 billion at the end of its five-year maturity, reports bdnews24.com.The initiative is a first for a mobile money company in Bangladesh and was announced during an investor roadshow in New York on Monday. Nagad, one of the key partners of the roadshow, has already received the initial approval from the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) for the bond sale. Nagad said in a statement on Tuesday that several foreign investors had expressed their interest in the bonds. Kiu Global, a US-based digital services company, may invest up to $30 million in the bonds.

Source: https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade-market/nagad-to-issue-tk-50b-zero-coupon-bond-1627404002