Mamun Rashid

Our existing regulatory framework is barely functional at best, and this is constantly voiced by countless frustrated local and foreign companies

A look into how digital transformation can help banks in technological aspect.

Ever since the investment community started to talk about a rising Bangladesh and the potential the economy offers due to increased consumer spending, we get to host many international investors. Now that things are going a little topsy-turvy, the question is again surfacing: What may happen to the economy?

When I joined a global bank in the mid-eighties, we were given the understanding that a young person joins an organisation for brand value or monetary benefits, but the person leaves the organisation either with the boss or for the boss.

In an era defined by complex financial markets and ever-evolving investment opportunities, wealth management has emerged as a crucial discipline for individuals and families looking to secure their financial future.

When we think of branding, it is often that a company, business, or institution comes into our mind. However, another especially important aspect that we often do not talk much about is personal branding. Just think of Lionel Messi. Do you only know him as a player in the Argentine football team? I do not think so. For too many, he is regarded as the best footballer in the world. He is a brand all by himself.

In the journey towards professional growth and personal fulfilment, finding the perfect workplace plays a pivotal role. An extraordinary workplace goes beyond the conventional norms, nurturing an environment of productivity, positivity, and progress.

In recent times, we have observed a notable trend in Bangladesh’s professional landscape: an increasing exodus of skilled individuals seeking opportunities abroad, be it higher studies or better careers. Despite facing multiple hardships across living and professional development, this phenomenon is growing. One can easily ask: what are the intricate factors underpinning this migration?

Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis since its independence began in 2019. Experts attribute a plethora of reasons behind the crisis. First, after the end of the civil war in 2009, the country emphasised providing goods for the local market instead of trade, a decision that led to a continued trade deficit of more than $3 billion each year. Along with trade policies, tax cuts in 2019 led to a loss of government revenue of over $1.4 billion a year.

Bangladesh Bank issued comprehensive guidelines for establishing digital banks in mid-June. This important decision has generated a lot of excitement among different groups, including major banks, non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) and innovative startups.

I became a management committee (mancom) member of an Australian bank quite early. My climbing to the top role in the local office of a leading USA-based bank was also relatively early. In those days, a CEO was kind of a CEO, no matter whether you drive change or not. Almost always the boss’s man and focusing on upward management. 

Of course. Despite challenges around, we have many reasons to be optimistic about Bangladesh.

Capital flight, a growing concern for Bangladesh over the past few decades, refers to the outflow of financial assets from a country. While usual outflow may also be foreign direct investment, the problem arises when the fund transferred from a country does not have proper documentation of source and there is no intend of repatriation of the fund. This leads to loss of government revenue and depletion of foreign currency reserves.

According to a 2021 study of the International Organisation for Migration, there could be an estimated 2.4 million Bangladeshi diaspora members in the UK and the US alone. Therefore, it can be assumed that the total number of Bangladeshis living abroad is huge. Even if a small portion of them contribute their skills, expertise and capital back to Bangladesh, it could make a huge difference.

Sovereign credit ratings (SCR), determined based on a country’s willingness and ability to pay its principal and interest obligations on time, are qualitative indicators that determine a nation’s likelihood of default. Countries’ borrowing costs from international financial markets depend on their SCR. A better SCR means more favourable cost of borrowing and lower SCR means higher cost of borrowing.

The government is consistently failing to meet its tax collection targets. In 2022-23, its target fell short by Tk 44,728 crore. This phenomenon has been going on for the last 11 consecutive fiscal years. Clearly, our existing taxation system is not efficient enough, so something needs to change and change fast.

Non-performing loan (NPL) has been a concern for the banking sector in Bangladesh for quite some time. According to the World Bank, Bangladesh had the second-highest NPL ratio of 9.4 per cent in South Asia in 2022, right after Sri Lanka.

Banking has become relationship manager (RM)-driven in Bangladesh over the last three decades whether it is corporate, commercial, or retail banking. Large clients in corporate or wealth management segments demand very personalised or structured product support backed by world-class service.

Fiscal transparency can be defined as the wide availability and easy access of government financial information to encourage accountability and trust. It refers to the extent to which a government publishes and delivers accurate information about its financial activities and obligations.

The role and duties of a chief executive officer have changed a lot over the last 15 to 20 years. Becoming highly knowledgeable about technology is now a job requirement. Both internal and external stakeholders have become much more demanding too.