Bangladesh Bank yesterday asked banks' directors not to take decisions in the board meetings on topics not included in the agenda of the day.

Savers have started to flock back to savings instruments with net sales hitting a six-month high in July as bank deposit products continue to yield underwhelming returns.

HSBC Bangladesh yesterday recognised six exporters for their leadership in promoting the country and contributing to its sustainable growth.

The central bank is concerned about seven banks, including three state-run lenders, for their deteriorating financial health stemming largely from rising default loans and declining capital and profits.

Lawmaker Nilufer Zafarullah has recently been elected chairman of Midland Bank.

Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd (DBBL) yesterday awarded scholarships to 3,031 meritorious and unprivileged students who passed SSC and equivalent examinations this year and are now studying at the higher secondary level.

Thirteen banks faced a combined provisioning shortfall of Tk 10,971 crore in the second quarter of 2018 which not only exposed their worsening financial health but also raised the possibility of lending rate hike.

Bangladesh's stockmarket is being held back from reaching its potential because of the indiscipline in the banking sector, which has spoiled companies' attitude, said M Khairul Hossain, chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC).

Md Monitur Rahman has recently been appointed as deputy managing director and chief of operations and information technology at IFIC Bank.

Lending through agent banking grew 12.32 percent to Tk 137.32 crore in April-June compared to a quarter ago with Bank Asia leading the pack.

The Dhaka bourse continued to gain for the third consecutive day yesterday thanks to the investors' increasing interest on shares of bank and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs).

The Bangladesh Bank yesterday warned banks to heighten measures to repel cyber attacks after a multinational hacking ring made off with Rs 94.4 crore from India's Cosmos Bank last week.

Cyber criminals hacked the systems of India's Cosmos Bank and siphoned off nearly 944 million rupees ($13.5 million) through simultaneous withdrawals across 28 countries over the weekend, the bank tells police.

Standard Chartered Bangladesh yesterday launched MortgageOne, a home financing solution enabling clients to enjoy a reduced interest rate and loan tenure through maintaining deposits with current accounts.

The central bank yesterday allowed banks to open foreign currency clearing accounts in yuan in keeping with the soaring trade with China.

Citibank NA Bangladesh has recently hosted a forum on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) underlining the bank's commitment to support Bangladesh, global clients and investors with the opportunities offered by the programme launched by China.

Banks should increase their number of branches to give a boost to financial inclusion, said Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday.

The interest rate on savings instruments will remain unchanged for the time being, in a development that can be termed an about turn for Finance Minister AMA Muhith, who only a couple of days ago indicated it would be lowered.

MTB Unit Fund's trustee committee has declared a cash dividend of 13.25 percent per unit for fiscal 2017-18, says a press release.

Ahmed Saiful Islam has been appointed as the head of retail banking at HSBC in Bangladesh with effect from August 2.