Eastern Bank Becomes PLC

A five-day internet outage in Bangladesh caused a sharp decline in digital banking transactions, revealing the sector's heavy reliance on stable internet connectivity. Following the launch of 4G and the Covid-19 pandemic, cashless transactions had surged.

Banks and NBFIs have been instructed by the central bank to waive fees and interest on delayed repayments for loans, savings schemes, and credit card bills from July 18 to July 25 due to recent country-wide unrest. This directive aims to support clients who may have missed payments amidst internet shutdowns and curfews.

NRB Bank has launched an offshore banking unit (OBU) with the slogan "Banking Beyond Boundary", inaugurated by chairman Mohammed Mahtabur Rahman at the bank's corporate head office in Dhaka, attended by vice-chairmen Golam Kabir and Mohammed Jamil Iqbal.

NRB Bank reported a profit of Tk 850 million in Q2 2021, up from a loss of Tk 28.5 million in the same quarter the previous year. The bank's foreign exchange gain and operational efficiency contributed to the turnaround. The bank's half-yearly results also showed positive results, with a profit of Tk 100 million in January-June 2021.

Stock trading in Bangladesh resumed after a three-day break, resulting in a 1.5-year low turnover at the Dhaka Stock Exchange. The market indices saw a decline, with the benchmark DSEX dropping 95 points to 5,350. The shariah-based DSES fell 21 points, and the blue-chip DS-30 plummeted 37 points. Investor confidence was affected by the ongoing quota reform movement, leading to selling pressure. Trading was limited due to an internet blackout. The market analyst suggested that the market may improve once internet access is restored.

Banks in Bangladesh have reopened after three general holidays, but many lenders have faced cash withdrawal pressure and disruptions in foreign transactions. People have been queuing at branches and ATM booths to withdraw cash, with branches in Motijheel being crowded since the beginning of the day.