State-owned banks in Bangladesh face escalating default loans, increasing by Tk 23,459 crore in the July-September quarter. Total sector-wide defaults surged by Tk 73,586 crore during this period. Mismanagement, corruption, and political shifts have exacerbated the issue, as major loans distributed during the last government’s tenure have become risky.
Sonali Bank’s defaults rose to Tk 16,623 crore, impacted by non-payment from entities like Beximco and Orion Group. Janata Bank’s defaults reached Tk 60,489 crore, driven by loans to Beximco and S. Alam Group. Agrani and Rupali Banks also reported significant increases, reflecting the growing financial instability in the sector.