Flower Valley, South Africa. Here they have set up an Early Learning Centre to help educate the community’s children, as well as develop new skills for the adults. Marks and Spencer is also active in this community through the building of a trade network with the community – guaranteeing regular fair trade purchases. Often alternative approaches to this are the establishment of education facilities for adults, as well as HIV/AIDS education programmes. The majority of these CSR projects are established in Africa. A more common approach of CSR is through the giving of aid to local organizations and impoverished communities in developing countries. Some organizationsdo not like this approach as it does not help build on the skills of the local people, whereas community-based development generally leads to more sustainable development.
The scale and nature of the benefits of CSR for an organization can vary depending on the nature of the enterprise, and are difficult to quantify, though there is a large body of literature exhorting business to adopt measures beyond financial ones (e.g., Deming‘s Fourteen Points, balanced scorecards). Orlitzky, Schmidt, and Rynes found a correlation between social/environmental performance and financial performance. However, businesses may not be looking at short-run financial returns when developing their CSR strategy.
The definition of CSR used within an organization can vary from the strict “stakeholder impacts” definition used by many CSR advocates and will often include charitable efforts and volunteering. CSR may be based within the human resources, business development or public relations departments of an organization, or may be given a separate unit reporting to the CEO or in some cases directly to the board. Some companies may implement CSR-type values without a clearly defined team or programme.
The business case for CSR within a company will likely rest on one or more of these arguments:
A CSR programme can be an aid to recruitment and retention, particularly within the competitive graduate student market. Potential recruits often ask about a firm’s CSR policy during an interview, and having a comprehensive policy can give an advantage. CSR can also help to improve the perception of a company among its staff, particularly when staff can become involved through payroll giving, fundraising activities or community volunteering.
Managing risk is a central part of many corporate strategies. Reputations that take decades to build up can be ruined in hours through incidents such as corruption scandals or environmental accidents. These events can also draw unwanted attention from regulators, courts, governments and media. Building a genuine culture of ‘doing the right thing’ within a corporation can offset these risks.
In crowded marketplaces, companies strive for a unique selling proposition that can separate them from the competition in the minds of consumers. CSR can play a role in building customer loyalty based on distinctive ethical values.[10] Several major brands, such as The Co-operative Group, The Body Shop and American Apparel[11] are built on ethical values. Business service organizations can benefit too from building a reputation for integrity and best practice.
Corporations are keen to avoid interference in their business through taxation or regulations. By taking substantive voluntary steps, they can persuade governments and the wider public that they are taking issues such as health and safety, diversity or the environment seriously, and so avoid intervention. This also applies to firms seeking to justify eye-catching profits and high levels of boardroom pay. Those operating away from their home country can make sure they stay welcome by being good corporate citizens with respect to labor standards and impacts on the environment.
Critics of CSR as well as proponents debate a number of concerns related to it. These include CSR’s relationship to the fundamental purpose and nature of business and questionable motives for engaging in CSR, including concerns about insincerity and hypocrisy.
Corporations exist to provide products and/or services that produce profits for their shareholders.[12] Milton Friedman and others take this a step further, arguing that a corporation’s purpose is to maximize returns to its shareholders, and that since (in their view), only people can have social responsibilities, corporations are only responsible to their shareholders and not to society as a whole. Although they accept that corporations should obey the laws of the countries within which they work, they assert that corporations have no other obligation to society. Some people perceive CSR as incongruent with the very nature and purpose of business, and indeed a hindrance to free trade. Those who assert that CSR is incongruent with capitalism and are in favor of neoliberalism argue that improvements in health, longevity and/or infant mortality have been created by economic growth attributed to free enterprise.
Critics of this argument perceive neoliberalism as opposed to the well-being of society and a hindrance to human freedom. They claim that the type of capitalism practiced in many developing countries is a form of economic and cultural imperialism, noting that these countries usually have fewer labor protections, and thus their citizens are at a higher risk of exploitation by multinational corporations.[14]
A wide variety of individuals and organizations operate in between these poles. For example, the REALeadership Alliance asserts that the business of leadership (be it corporate or otherwise) is to change the world for the better. Many religious and cultural traditions hold that the economy exists to serve human beings, so all economic entities have an obligation to society (e.g., cf. Economic Justice for All). Moreover, as discussed above, many CSR proponents point out that CSR can significantly improve long-term corporate profitability because it reduces risks and inefficiencies while offering a host of potential benefits such as enhanced brand reputation and employee engagement.
Some critics believe that CSR programs are undertaken by companies such as British American Tobacco (BAT), the petroleum giant BP (well-known for its high-profile advertising campaigns on environmental aspects of its operations), and McDonald’s to distract the public from ethical questions posed by their core operations. They argue that some corporations start CSR programs for the commercial benefit they enjoy through raising their reputation with the public or with government. They suggest that corporations which exist solely to maximize profits are unable to advance the interests of society as a whole.
Another concern is when companies claim to promote CSR and be committed to Sustainable Development whilst simultaneously engaging in harmful business practices. For example, since the 1970s, the McDonald’s Corporation‘s association with Ronald McDonald House has been viewed as CSR and relationship marketing. More recently, as CSR has become mainstream, the company has beefed up its CSR programs related to its labor, environmental and other practices[18] All the same, in McDonald’s Restaurants v Morris & Steel, Lord Justices Pill, May and Keane ruled that it was fair comment to say that McDonald’s employees worldwide ‘do badly in terms of pay and conditions and true that ‘if one eats enough McDonald’s food, one’s diet may well become high in fat etc., with the very real risk of heart disease.
Shell has a much-publicized CSR policy and was a pioneer in triple bottom line reporting, but this did not prevent the 2004 scandal concerning its misreporting of oil reserves, which seriously damaged its reputation and led to charges of hypocrisy. Since then, the Shell Foundation has become involved in many projects across the world, including a partnership with Marks and Spencer (UK) in three flower and fruit growing communities across Africa.
Critics concerned with corporate hypocrisy and insincerity generally suggest that better governmental and international regulation and enforcement, rather than voluntary measures, are necessary to ensure that companies behave in a socially responsible manner.
Corporations may be influenced to adopt CSR practices by several drivers.
The rise in popularity of ethical consumerism over the last two decades can be linked to the rise of CSR. As global population increases, so does the pressure on limited natural resources required to meet rising consumer demand (Grace and Cohen 2005, 147). Industrialization in many developing countries is booming as a result of technology and globalization. Consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental and social implications of their day-to-day consumer decisions and are beginning to make purchasing decisions related to their environmental and ethical concerns. However, this practice is far from consistent or universal.
As corporations pursue growth through globalization, they have encountered new challenges that impose limits to their growth and potential profits. Government regulations, tariffs, environmental restrictions and varying standards of what constitutes labor exploitation are problems that can cost organizations millions of dollars. Some view ethical issues as simply a costly hindrance. Some companies use CSR methodologies as a strategic tactic to gain public support for their presence in global markets, helping them sustain a competitive advantage by using their social contributions to provide a subconscious level of advertising.(Fry, Keim, Meiners 1986, 105) Global competition places particular pressure on multinational corporations to examine not only their own labor practices, but those of their entire supply chain, from a CSR perspective.
The role among corporate stakeholders to work collectively to pressure corporations is changing. Shareholders and investors themselves, through socially responsible investing are exerting pressure on corporations to behave responsibly. Non-governmental organizations are also taking an increasing role, leveraging the power of the media and the Internet to increase their scrutiny and collective activism around corporate behavior. Through education and dialogue, the development of community in holding businesses responsible for their actions is growing (Roux 2007).
The rise of ethics training inside corporations, some of it required by government regulation, is another driver credited with changing the behavior and culture of corporations. The aim of such training is to help employees make ethical decisions when the answers are unclear. Tullberg believes that humans are built with the capacity to cheat and manipulate, a view taken from (Trivers 1971, 1985), hence the need for learning normative values and rules in human behavior (Tullberg 1996). The most direct benefit is reducing the likelihood of “dirty hands” (Grace and Cohen 2005), fines and damaged reputations for breaching laws or moral norms. Organizations also see secondary benefit in increasing employee loyalty and pride in the organization. Caterpillar and Best Buy are examples of organizations that have taken such steps (Thilmany 2007).
Increasingly, companies are becoming interested in processes that can add visibility to their CSR policies and activities. One method that is gaining increasing popularity is the use of well-grounded training programs, where CSR is a major issue, and business simulations can play a part in this.
Another driver of CSR is the role of independent mediators, particularly the government, in ensuring that corporations are prevented from harming the broader social good, including people and the environment. CSR critics such as Robert Reich argue that governments should set the agenda for social responsibility by the way of laws and regulation that will allow a business to conduct themselves responsibly.
The issues surrounding government regulation pose several problems. Regulation in itself is unable to cover every aspect in detail of a corporation’s operations. This leads to burdensome legal processes bogged down in interpretations of the law and debatable grey areas (Sacconi 2004). General Electric is an example of a corporation that has failed to clean up the Hudson River after contaminating it with organic pollutants. The company continues to argue via the legal process on assignment of liability, while the cleanup remains stagnant. (Sullivan & Schiafo 2005). The second issue is the financial burden that regulation can place on a nation’s economy. This view shared by Bulkeley, who cites the Australian federal government’s actions to avoid compliance with the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, on the concerns of economic loss and national interest. The Australian government took the position that signing the Kyoto Pact would have caused more significant economic losses for Australia than for any other OECD nation (Bulkeley 2001, pg 436). Critics of CSR also point out those organizations pay taxes to government to ensure that society and the environment are not adversely affected by business activities.
Often it takes a crisis to precipitate attention to CSR. One of the most active stands against environmental management is the CERES Principles that resulted after the Exxon Valdez incident in Alaska in 1989 (Grace and Cohen 2006). Other examples include the lead poisoning paint used by toy giant Mattel, which required a recall of millions of toys globally and caused the company to initiate new risk management and quality control processes. In another example, Magellan Metals in the West Australian town of Esperance was responsible for lead contamination killing thousands of birds in the area. The company had to cease business immediately and work with independent regulatory bodies to execute a cleanup.
Increasingly, corporations are motivated to become more socially responsible because their most important stakeholders expect them to understand and address the social and community issues that are relevant to them. Understanding what causes are important to employees is usually the first priority because of the many interrelated business benefits that can be derived from increased employee engagement (i.e. more loyalty, improved recruitment, increased retention, higher productivity, an so on). Key external stakeholders include customers, consumers, investors (particularly institutional investors, regulators, academics, and the media).
There are many different models of corporate governance around the world. These differ according to the variety of capitalism in which they are embedded. The liberal model that is common in Anglo-American countries tends to give priority to the interests of shareholders. The coordinated model that one finds in Continental Europe and Japan also recognizes the interests of workers, managers, suppliers, customers, and the community. Each model has its own distinct competitive advantage. The liberal model of corporate governance encourages radical innovation and cost competition, whereas the coordinated model of corporate governance facilitates incremental innovation and quality competition. However, there are important differences between the U.S. recent approach to governance issues and what has happened in the UK. In the United States, a corporation is governed by a board of directors, which has the power to choose an executive officer, usually known as the chief executive officer. The CEO has broad power to manage the corporation on a daily basis, but needs to get board approval for certain major actions, such as hiring his/her immediate subordinates, raising money, acquiring another company, major capital expansions, or other expensive projects. Other duties of the board may include policy setting, decision making, monitoring management’s performance, or corporate control.
The board of directors is nominally selected by and responsible to the shareholders, but the bylaws of many companies make it difficult for all but the largest shareholders to have any influence over the makeup of the board; normally, individual shareholders are not offered a choice of board nominees among which to choose, but are merely asked to rubberstamp the nominees of the sitting board. Perverse incentives have pervaded many corporate boards in the developed world, with board members beholden to the chief executive whose actions they are intended to oversee. Frequently, members of the boards of directors are CEOs of other corporations, which some see as a conflict of interest. Reasons to deviate from the sound rule, they should be able to convincingly explain those to their shareholders.
Corporate governance principles and codes have been developed in different countries and issued from stock exchanges, corporations, institutional investors, or associations (institutes) of directors and managers with the support of governments and international organizations. As a rule, compliance with these governance recommendations is not mandated by law, although the codes linked to stock exchange listing requirements may have a coercive effect.
For example, companies quoted on the London and Toronto Stock Exchanges formally need not follow the recommendations of their respective national codes. However, they must disclose whether they follow the recommendations in those documents and, where not, they should provide explanations concerning divergent practices. Such disclosure requirements exert a significant pressure on listed companies for compliance.
In the United States, companies are primarily regulated by the state in which they incorporate though they are also regulated by the federal government and, if they are public, by their stock exchange. The highest numbers of companies are incorporated in Delaware, including more than half of the Fortune 500. This is due to Delaware’s generally business-friendly corporate legal environment and the existence of a state court dedicated solely to business issues (Delaware Court of Chancery).
Most states’ corporate law generally follows the American Bar Association’s Model Business Corporation Act. While Delaware does not follow the Act, it still considers its provisions and several prominent Delaware justices, including former Delaware Supreme Court Chief Justice E. Norman Veasey, participate on ABA committees.
One issue that has been raised since the Disney decision in 2005 is the degree to which companies manage their governance responsibilities; in other words, do they merely try to supersede the legal threshold, or should they create governance guidelines that ascend to the level of best practice. For example, the guidelines issued by associations of directors (see Section 3 above), corporate managers and individual companies tend to be wholly voluntary. For example, The GM Board Guidelines reflect the company’s efforts to improve its own governance capacity. Such documents, however, may have a wider multiplying effect prompting other companies to adopt similar documents and standards of best practice.
One of the most influential guidelines has been the 1999 OECD Principles of Corporate Governance. This was revised in 2004. The OECD remains a proponent of corporate governance principles throughout the world.
Building on the work of the OECD, other international organizations, private sector associations and more than 20 national corporate governance codes, the United Nations Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR) has produced voluntary Guidance on Good Practices in Corporate Governance Disclosure. This internationally agreed benchmark consists of more than fifty distinct disclosure items across five broad categories:
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development WBCSD has done work on corporate governance, particularly on accountability and reporting, and in 2004 created an frameworks. This document aims to provide general information, a “snap-shot” of the landscape and a perspective from a think-tank/professional association on a few key codes, standards and frameworks relevant to the sustainability agenda.
3.3South Asian Practices
Corporate governance is a major concern in the South Asia-Pacific region, especially in the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The size and frequency of recent corporate governance debacles show that poor governance is not only a formidable hurdle to surmount but is also at the forefront of economic development issues. A dilemma has arisen from recent experience: it is possible for companies to appear to comply with the requisite corporate governance rules without complying with the principles and spirit of good governance.
India
In India there was the securities scam (involving a large number of banks) leading to the stock market crash in 1992, followed by the consolidation of equity ownership by multinational companies listed on the stock markets, and then by the stock market bubble in 1993 and crash of the ‘disappearing companies’ in 1994, which devastated the primary market until the end of the century. These led to the formation by the Confederation of Indian Industry of the Bajaj Committee on corporate governance in late 1995, well before the East Asian financial crisis. In addition, the country report shows how the Indian capital markets had reached a crisis-point where the accumulated distortions of decades of restrictive state policies and of corporate control
(traced back to the ‘managing agencies’ in the earliest days of the stock markets in the 19th
Century) had highlighted the need for urgent capital market reform.
Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, the concern for corporate governance originated in the numerous company failures, especially finance companies, in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, which caused investors to lose faith in the regulatory and semi-regulatory frameworks, as well as the standards of financial reporting. Accordingly, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka set up a task force in
1992 (about the same time as the Cadbury committee in UK) to enforce Sri Lankan accounting standards, and then extended this initiative in 1996 (again before the East Asian financial crisis) to set up a committee to make recommendations on the financial aspects of corporate governance.
Since the initial initiatives in the early ’90’s, Sri Lanka has continued to progress in developing new initiatives at enhancing Corporate Governance practices in the country. In that context, the
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, the Colombo Stock Exchange and the Institute of
Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Sri Lanka have played, and are continuing to play significant roles.
Pakistan
Pakistan commenced its corporate governance programmes later, following the Securities and
Exchange Commission of Pakistan Act in 1997, the commencement of operations by the
Commission in 1999, and the introduction of the national Code for Corporate Governance in early 2002. But despite the later start, it is evident from the country report that the initiatives in
Pakistan were driven by home-grown realities, in particular the recognition that the traditional structures and operations of the capital market, especially lending from state-owned banks, could no longer sustain the financing needed for growth, hence there is a critical need for reform of the capital markets in order to mobilize domestic savings and foreign portfolio investment, as there had been in India a decade earlier. In fact, despite the later start with formal national policies, it could be said that Pakistan focused on corporate governance earlier than many countries in the world, not just the region – the Pakistan country report emphasizes the importance of the 1984
Companies Ordinance Act, which introduced a number of key features of good corporate governance, at a time when the very term ‘corporate governance’ had only just been coined and was still effectively unknown outside very specialized academic circles2. Furthermore, during the mid-1980s there were some significant policy and training programmes to strengthen corporate control, board direction and chairmanship in both the state enterprises and the private sector, through the Expert Advisory Cell of the Ministry of Industry and the Lahore University of Management Sciences and Institute of Personnel, supported by USAID. Although these programmes were not described as ‘corporate governance’, they could be said to form part of the corporate governance heritage of Pakistan.
Nepal
For the last few years, the corporate governance has been a matter of growing academic interest in the policy studies. Given the infant stage of securities market development and gradual transformation of the external sources of corporate finance from bank to market, Nepal is passing through a transitional phase of institutional and governance reform. The high concentration of corporate ownership structure and dominance of family business groups in corporate affairs have become major constraints in exercising good corporate governance. Nevertheless, a number of governance reforms are underway and some positive symptoms have been observed in the banks and financial institutions. To ensure a good corporate governance in Nepal requires a joint effort of the investors (promoters) who need to be more transparent, responsible and socially accountable; the shareholders who must actively participate in their corporate affairs to help prevent any fraudulent and insider practices and; the regulatory authority that should effectively
Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, however, there have been no serious corporate scandals which have been enough to send shock waves to undermine confidence in the financial system, nor has the country found that it has reached the limits of conventional corporate financing mainly through bank lending.
The country report identifies that “the relatively low level of international investment in
Bangladesh does not provide a sufficient motivation for improving corporate governance, nor are there many traditional domestic motivations for improvement in corporate governance practices in Bangladesh”. Nevertheless, that this does not mean that Bangladesh should give low priority to corporate governance, as there are reasons other than capital market reforms to focus on corporate governance. The Bangladesh country report notes the significance of corporate governance for a competitive private sector in a global market as well as for efficiently utilizing domestic investment to achieve greater economic development. Good corporate governance practices will help develop and stimulate better business management, strategic management, and risk management, which, in the long-term, will make Bangladeshi businesses more competitive. In addition, the lessons from the experience of the neighboring countries in South Asia are such that Bangladesh can deploy good corporate governance to prevent the problems which have afflicted other countries rather than to solve them after the event.
Comparison with South Asian countries
As is documented in this volume, in Bangladesh, failings in institutions, government agencies, legal enforcement, and market behavior have resulted in weak corporate governance. In many cases, the current system in Bangladesh does not provide sufficient legal, institutional, or economic motivations for stakeholders to encourage and enforce good corporate governance practices. As a result, there are few rewards for companies that institute good corporate governance practices and no penalties for failing to do so. Targeted reforms in institutions or sectors can begin to provide the internal and external motivation for transparency and accountability that will lead to better corporate governance.
Although Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India have some similarities with Bangladesh in the way that the financial sector and private sector have developed historically, Bangladesh’s neighbors have recognized the importance of corporate governance and increased transparency in the corporate sector. Pakistan has a Code for Corporate Governance to which all listed companies are now required to comply. India has had several high-level committees looking at corporate governance. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) issued a voluntary code of desirable corporate governance in 1998 and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved mandatory corporate governance listing requirements in the year 2000. Sri Lanka also has a Code of Best Practice on Corporate Governance drawn up by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka. In each country, the codes have begun the process of encouraging or requiring companies to recognize the importance of good corporate governance practices. In concert with the efforts to design benchmarks for good corporate governance that are relevant to South Asian countries, efforts are under way to harmonize and improve accounting and auditing standards. The Accounting and Auditing Standards Monitoring Board in Sri Lanka and the Audit Quality Control Review Committee in Pakistan are two particularly good examples that could be emulated in Bangladesh.
4.1 Overview of the banks
4.1.1Pubali Bank:
PUBALI BANK LIMITED is the largest Commercial Bank in Private Sector in Bangladesh. It provides mass banking services to the customers through its branch network all over the country. This Bank has been playing a vital role in socio-economic, industrial and agricultural development as well as in the overall economic development of the country since its inception through savings mobilization and investment of funds. During the last 5 years the growth rate of bank’s earnings is more than 25% on average.
The Bank was initially emerged in the Banking scenario of the then East Pakistan as Eastern Mercantile Bank Limited at the initiative of some Bangalee entrepreneurs in the year 1959 under Bank Companies Act 1913. After independence of Bangladesh in 1972 this Bank was nationalized as per policy of the Government and renamed as Pubali Bank. Subsequently due to changed circumstances this Bank was denationalized in the year 1983 as a private bank and renamed as Pubali Bank Limited. The Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh handed over all assets and liabilities of the then Pubali Bank to the Pubali Bank Limited. Since then Pubali Bank Limited has been rendering all sorts of Commercial Banking services as the largest bank in private sector through its branch network all over the country.
4.1.2 National Bank Ltd
National Bank Limited has been licensed by the Government of Bangladesh as a Scheduled commercial bank in the private sector in pursuance of the policy of liberalization of banking and financial services and facilities in Bangladesh. In view of the above, the Bank within a period of 25 years of its operation achieved a remarkable success and met up capital adequacy requirement of Bangladesh Bank.
With a wide range of modern corporate and consumer financial products National Bank has been operating in Bangladesh since 1985. In 1997, the bank introduced automated branch banking system to increase efficiency and improve customer service. The bank is one of the leading banks which introduced first Credit Card in Bangladesh. Our technology has been upgraded to manage the growth of the bank and meet the demands of our customers. ATMs now allow customers to retrieve 24×7 hours cash withdrawals.
National Bank Limited has its prosperous past, glorious present, prospective future and under processing projects and activities. Established as the first private sector Bank fully owned by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs, NBL has been flourishing as the largest private sector Bank with the passage of time after facing many stress and strain. The member of the board of directors is creative businessman and leading industrialist of the country. To keep pace with time and in harmony with national and international economic activities and for rendering all modern services, NBL, as a financial institution automated all its branches with computer network in accordance with the competitive commercial demand of time. Moreover, considering its forth-coming future the infrastructure of the Bank has been rearranging. The expectation of all class businessman, entrepreneurs and general public is much more to NBL. Keeping the target in mind NBL has taken preparation to open 15 new branches and 5 SME centers by the year 2009. In addition we are further expanding our presence through developing and expanding the SME financing, Any Branch Banking, Off-shore Banking facilities
At present, NBL has been carrying on business through its 106 branches spread all over the country. Besides, the Bank has drawing arrangement with 415 correspondents in 75 countries of the world as well as with 37 overseas Exchange Companies located in 13 countries. NBL was the first domestic bank to establish agency arrangement with the world famous Western Union in order to facilitate quick and safe remittance of the valuable foreign exchanges earned by the expatriate Bangladeshi nationals. NBL was also the first among domestic banks to introduce international Master Card in Bangladesh. In the meantime, NBL has also introduced the Visa Card and Power Card. The Bank has in its use the latest information technology services of SWIFT and REUTERS. NBL has been continuing its small credit programme for disbursement of collateral free agricultural loans among the poor farmers of Barindra area in Rajshahi district for improving their lot.Alongside banking activities, NBL is actively involved in sports and games as well as in various Socio-Cultural activities. Upto 2008, the total number of employee of NBL stood at 2,737.
4.1.3South East Bank Ltd
Southeast Bank Limited is a scheduled commercial bank in the private sector established under the ambit of Bank Company Act, 1991 and incorporated as a Public Limited Company under Companies Act, 1994 on March 12, 1995. The Bank started commercial banking operations on May 25, 1995. During this short span of time the Bank has succeeded in positioning itself as a progressive and dynamic financial institution in the country. The bank has been widely acclaimed by the business community, from small entrepreneurs to large traders and industrial conglomerates, including the top-rated corporate borrowers, for its forward – looking business outlook and innovative financial solutions. Thus within this very short period of time it has been able to create an image and earn significant reputation in the country’s banking sector as a Bank with Vision. Presently, it has 46 branches.
4.1.4Dhaka Bank Ltd
Dhaka bank was incorporated as a public limited company under the Companies Act. 1994. The Bank started its commercial operation on July 05, 1995 with an authorized capital of Tk. 1,000 million and paid up capital of Tk. 100 million. The paid up capital of the Bank stood at Tk 1,934,252,875 as on June 30, 2008. The total equity (capital and reserves) of the Bank as on June 30, 2008 stood at Tk 3,424,609,016.The Bank has 44 branches, 2 SME Service Centers, 1 Business Center, 2 Offshore Banking Units across the country and a wide network of correspondents all over the world. The Bank has plans to open more branches in the current fiscal year to expand the network.
The Bank offers the full range of banking and investment services for personal and corporate customers, backed by the latest technology and a team of highly motivated officers and staff.In effort to provide Excellence in banking services, the Bank has launched Online Banking service, joined a countrywide shared ATM network and has introduced a co-branded credit card. A process is also underway to provide e-business facility to the bank’s clientele through Online and Home banking solutions.Dhaka Bank Ltd. is the preferred choice in banking for friendly and personalized services, cutting edge technology, tailored solutions for business needs, global reach in trade and commerce and high yield on investments.
4.1.5Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd
Islam provides us a complete lifestyle. Main objective of Islamic lifestyle is to be successful both in our mortal and immortal life. Therefore in every aspect of our life we should follow the doctrine of Al-Qur’an and lifestyle of Hazrat Muhammad (Sm.) for our supreme success. Al-Arafah Islami Bank started its journey in 1995 with the said principles in mind and to introduce a modern banking system based on Al-Qur’an and Sunnah.
A group of established, dedicated and pious personalities of Bangladesh are the architects and directors of the Bank. Among them a noted Islamic scholar, economist, writer and ex-bureaucrat of Bangladesh government Mr. A.Z.M Shamsul Alam is the founder chairman of the bank. His progressive leadership and continuous inspiration provided a boost for the bank in getting a foothold in the financial market of Bangladesh
A group of 13 dedicated and noted Islamic personalities of Bangladesh are the member of Board of Directors of the bank. They are also noted for their business acumen. Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd. has 46 braches and a total of 1033 employees (as of December 2007). Its authorized capital is Taka 2500 millions and the paid-up capital is Taka 1153.18 millions.
Wisdom of the directors, Islamic bankers and the wish of Almighty Allah make Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd. most modern and a leading bank in Bangladesh.
4.1.6Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) is Bangladesh’s most innovative and technologically advanced bank. DBBL stands to give the most innovative and affordable banking products to Bangladesh. Amonst banks, DBBL is the largest donor in to social causes in Bangladesh. It stands as one of the largest private donors involved in improving the country. DBBL is proud to be associated with helping Bangladesh as well as being a leader in the country’s banking sector
Dutch-Bangla Bank believes in its uncompromising commitment to fulfill its customer needs and satisfaction and to become their first choice in banking. Taking cue from its pool esteemed clientele, Dutch-Bangla Bank intends to pave the way for a new era in banking that upholds and epitomizes its vaunted marques “Your Trusted Partner”
The rationale being that the manufacturing sector exports Bangladeshi products worldwide. Thereby financing and concentrating on this sector allows Bangladesh to achieve the desired growth. DBBL’s other focus is Corporate Social Responsiblity (CSR). Even though CSR is now a cliche, DBBL is the pioneer in this sector and termed the contribution simply as ‘social
responsiblity’. Due to its investment in this sector, DBBL has become one of the largest donors and the largest bank donor in Bangladesh. The bank has won numerous international awards because of its unique approach as a socially conscious bank.
DBBL was the first bank in Bangladesh to be fully automated. The Electronic-Banking Division was established in 2002 to undertake rapid automation and bring modern banking services into this field. Full automation was completed in 2003 and hereby introduced plastic money to the Bangladeshi masses. DBBL also operates the nation’s largest ATM fleet and in the process drastically cut consumer costs and fees by 80%. Moreover, DBBL choosing the low profitability route for this sector has surprised many critics. DBBL had pursued the mass automation in Banking as a CSR activity and never intended profitability from this sector. As a result it now provides unrivaled banking technology offerings to all its customers. Because of this mindset, most local banks have joined DBBL’s banking infrastructure instead of pursuing their own.
Even with a history of hefty technological investments and even larger donations, consumer and investor confidence has never waned. Dutch-Bangla Bank stock set the record for the highest share price in the Dhaka Stock Exchange in 2008.
4.1.7 Mercantile Bank Ltd
Southeast Bank Limited is a scheduled commercial bank in the private sector established under the ambit of Bank Company Act, 1991 and incorporated as a Public Limited Company under Companies Act, 1994 on May 20, 1999. The Bank started commercial banking operations on June 02, 1999. During this short span of time the Bank has succeeded in positioning itself as a progressive and dynamic financial institution in the country. The bank has been widely acclaimed by the business community, from small entrepreneurs to large traders and industrial conglomerates, including the top-rated corporate borrowers, for its forward – looking business outlook and innovative financial solutions. Thus within this very short period of time it has been able to create an image and earn significant reputation in the country’s banking sector as a Bank with Vision. Presently, it has 42 branches.
4.1.8The Premier Bank Ltd
The Premier Bank Limited is incorporated in Bangladesh as banking company on June 10, 1999 under Companies Act.1994. Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of Bangladesh, issued banking license on June 17, 1999 under Banking Companies Act.1991. The Head Office of the Premier Bank Limited is located at Banani, one of the fast growing commercial and business areas of Dhaka city.
Authorized Capital: BDT 2000.00 Million
Paid up Capital: BDT 681.45 Million
4.1.9Bank Asia Ltd
Bank Asia has been launched by a group of successful entrepreneurs with recognized standing in the society. The paid up capital of the Bank is over Tk. 1116.00 million. The management of the Bank has been carefully selected consists of a team led by senior bankers with decades of experience in national and international markets. The senior management team is ably supported by a group of professionals many of whom have exposure in the international market.
Bank Asia’s vision is to have a poverty free Bangladesh in course of a generation in the new millennium, reflecting the national dream. Our vision is to build a society where human dignity and human rights receive the highest consideration along with reduction of poverty.
4.1.10 BRAC Bank Ltd
BRAC Bank Limited, with institutional shareholdings by BRAC, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Shorecap International, has been the fastest growing Bank from 2004 to 2007. The Bank operates under a “double bottom line” agenda where profit and social responsibility go hand in hand as it strives towards a poverty-free, enlightened Bangladesh.
A fully operational Commercial Bank, BRAC Bank focuses on pursuing unexplored market niches in the Small and Medium Enterprise Business, which hitherto has remained largely untapped within the country. In the last six years of operation, the Bank has disbursed over BDT 7500 crore in loans to nearly 200,000 small and medium entrepreneurs. The management of the Bank believes that this sector of the economy can contribute the most to the rapid generation of employment in Bangladesh. Since inception in July 2001, the Bank’s footprint has grown to 56 branches, 30 SME Service Centers, 427 SME unit offices and 112 ATM sites across the country, and the customer base has expanded to 465,000 deposit and 187,000 advance accounts till December 2008. In the years ahead BRAC Bank expects to introduce many more services and products as well as add a wider network of SME unit offices, Retail Branches and ATMs across the country.
4.2 Corporate Governance Disclosure
4.2.1 Pubali Bank
Compliance report as per Securities & Exchange Commission’s Notification dated 20th February, 2006 for all companies listed with any Stock Exchange in Bangladesh in order to improve Corporate Governance in the interest of Capital Market on “Comply or Explain” basis.
Table 4.1 Corporate Governance Disclosure by Pubali Bank
Condition No-
| Title | Compliances Status | |
Complied | Non Complied | ||
1.00
| Board of Directors
| ||
1.1 | Board’s size | √ | |
1.2(i) | Independent Director | √ | |
1.2(ii) | Appointment of Independent Director | √ | |
1.3 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | √ | |
1.4 | The directors’ report to shareholders | ||
1.4(a) | Fairness of Financial Statements | √ | |
1.4(b) | Maintenance of proper books of accounts
| √ | |
1.4(c) | Consistent application of Accounting Policies in preparation of Financial Statements
| √ | |
1.4(d) | Observance of Bangladesh Accounting Standard (BAS) | √ | |
1.4(e) | Soundness in design and efficiency of internal control | √ | |
1.4(f) | Ability to continue as going concern
| √ | |
1.4(g) | Significant deviations from last year in operating result
| √ | |
1.4(h) | Summary of key operating and financial data for the last three years
| √ | |
1.4(i) | Declaration of stock dividend
| √ | |
1.4(j) | Disclosure about number of Board meeting held during the year and attendance by each Director
| √ | |
1.4(k) | Disclosure about shareholding pattern
| √ | |
2.00 | Chief Financial Officer, Head of Internal Audit and Company
| ||
2.1 | Appointment of Chief Financial Officer (CFO),Head of Internal Audit, Company Secretary | √ | |
2.2 | Requirements to Attend Board Meetings
| √ | |
2.2(a) | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | √ | |
2.2(b) | Company Secretary
| √ | |
3.00 | Audit Committee | ||
3.1(i) | Number of Members of Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(ii) | Inclusion of Independent Director in the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(iii) | Filling of the casual vacancy in the Audit Committee | ||
3.2(i) | Selection of Chairman of the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.2(ii) | Qualification of Chairman of the Audit Committee
| √ | |
3.3 | Reporting of the Audit Committee | ||
3.3.1(i) | Reporting its activities to the Board of Directors | √ | |
3.3.1(ii) | Report to the Board by the Audit Committee on | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(a) | conflicts of interest | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(b) | suspected or presumed fraud or irregularity or material defect in the internal control system
| √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(c) | suspected infringement of laws, including securities related laws, rules and regulations
| √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(d) | any other matter | √ | |
3.3.2 | Directors Reporting to the Authorities | √ | |
3.4 | Reporting to the Shareholders and General Investors | √ | |
4.0 | External/ Statutory Auditors | ||
4.0(i) | Appraisal or valuation services of fairness opinions | √ | |
4.0(ii) | Financial information systems design and implementation | √ | |
4.0(iii) | Book-Keeping or other services related to Financial Statements | √ | |
4.0(iv) | Broker-dealer services | √ | |
4.0(v) | Actuarial services | √ | |
4.0(vi) | Internal Audit services | √ | |
4.0(vii) | Any other services that the Audit Committee determines | √ |
4.2.2 National Bank Ltd.
Compliance report as per Securities & Exchange Commission’s Notification dated 20th February, 2006 for all companies listed with any Stock Exchange in Bangladesh in order to improve Corporate Governance in the interest of Capital Market on “Comply or Explain” basis.
Table 4.2 Corporate Governance Disclosure by National Bank Ltd
Condition No-
| Title | Compliances Status | |
Complied | Non Complied | ||
1.00
| Board of Directors
| ||
1.1 | Board’s size | √ | |
1.2(i) | Independent Director | √ | |
1.2(ii) | Appointment of Independent Director | √ | |
1.3 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | √ | |
1.4 | The directors’ report to shareholders | ||
1.4(a) | Fairness of Financial Statements | √ | |
1.4(b) | Maintenance of proper books of accounts
| √ | |
1.4(c) | Consistent application of Accounting Policies in preparation of Financial Statements
| √ | |
1.4(d) | Observance of Bangladesh Accounting Standard (BAS) | √ | |
1.4(e) | Soundness in design and efficiency of internal control | √ | |
1.4(f) | Ability to continue as going concern
| √ | |
1.4(g) | Significant deviations from last year in operating result
| √ | |
1.4(h) | Summary of key operating and financial data for the last three years
| √ | |
1.4(i) | Declaration of stock dividend
| √ | |
1.4(j) | Disclosure about number of Board meeting held during the year and attendance by each Director
| √ | |
1.4(k) | Disclosure about shareholding pattern
| √ | |
2.00 | Chief Financial Officer, Head of Internal Audit and Company | ||
2.1 | Appointment of Chief Financial Officer (CFO),Head of Internal Audit, Company Secretary | √ | |
2.2 | Requirements to Attend Board Meetings
| √ | |
2.2(a) | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | √ | |
2.2(b) | Company Secretary
| √ | |
3.00 | Audit Committee | ||
3.1(i) | Number of Members of Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(ii) | Inclusion of Independent Director in the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(iii) | Filling of the casual vacancy in the Audit Committee | ||
3.2(i) | Selection of Chairman of the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.2(ii) | Qualification of Chairman of the Audit Committee
| √ | |
3.3 | Reporting of the Audit Committee | ||
3.3.1(i) | Reporting its activities to the Board of Directors | √ | |
3.3.1(ii) | Report to the Board by the Audit Committee on | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(a) | conflicts of interest | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(b) | suspected or presumed fraud or irregularity or material defect in the internal control system
| ||
3.3.1(ii)(c) | suspected infringement of laws, including securities related laws, rules and regulations
| ||
3.3.1(ii)(d) | any other matter | √ | |
3.3.2 | Directors Reporting to the Authorities | ||
3.4 | Reporting to the Shareholders and General Investors | √ | |
4.0 | External/ Statutory Auditors | ||
4.0(i) | Appraisal or valuation services of fairness opinions | √ | |
4.0(ii) | Financial information systems design and implementation | √ | |
4.0(iii) | Book-Keeping or other services related to Financial Statements | √ | |
4.0(iv) | Broker-dealer services | √ | |
4.0(v) | Actuarial services | √ | |
4.0(vi) | Internal Audit services | √ | |
4.0(vii) | Any other services that the Audit Committee determines | √ |
4.2.3 South East Bank Ltd.
Compliance report as per Securities & Exchange Commission’s Notification dated 20th February, 2006 for all companies listed with any Stock Exchange in Bangladesh in order to improve Corporate Governance in the interest of Capital Market on “Comply or Explain” basis.
Table 4.3 Corporate Governance Disclosure by South East Bank Ltd
Condition No-
| Title | Compliances Status | |
Complied | Non Complied | ||
1.00
| Board of Directors
| ||
1.1 | Board’s size | √ | |
1.2(i) | Independent Director | √ | |
1.2(ii) | Appointment of Independent Director | √ | |
1.3 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | √ | |
1.4 | The directors’ report to shareholders | ||
1.4(a) | Fairness of Financial Statements | √ | |
1.4(b) | Maintenance of proper books of accounts
| √ | |
1.4(c) | Consistent application of Accounting Policies in preparation of Financial Statements
| √ | |
1.4(d) | Observance of Bangladesh Accounting Standard (BAS) | √ | |
1.4(e) | Soundness in design and efficiency of internal control | √ | |
1.4(f) | Ability to continue as going concern
| √ | |
1.4(g) | Significant deviations from last year in operating result
| √ | |
1.4(h) | Summary of key operating and financial data for the last three years
| √ | |
1.4(i) | Declaration of stock dividend
| √ | |
1.4(j) | Disclosure about number of Board meeting held during the year and attendance by each Director
| √ | |
1.4(k) | Disclosure about shareholding pattern
| √ | |
2.00 | Chief Financial Officer, Head of Internal Audit and Company | ||
2.1 | Appointment of Chief Financial Officer (CFO),Head of Internal Audit, Company Secretary | √ | |
2.2 | Requirements to Attend Board Meetings
| √ | |
2.2(a) | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | √ | |
2.2(b) | Company Secretary
| √ | |
3.00 | Audit Committee | ||
3.1(i) | Number of Members of Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(ii) | Inclusion of Independent Director in the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(iii) | Filling of the casual vacancy in the Audit Committee | ||
3.2(i) | Selection of Chairman of the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.2(ii) | Qualification of Chairman of the Audit Committee
| √ | |
3.3 | Reporting of the Audit Committee | ||
3.3.1(i) | Reporting its activities to the Board of Directors | √ | |
3.3.1(ii) | Report to the Board by the Audit Committee on | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(a) | conflicts of interest | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(b) | suspected or presumed fraud or irregularity or material defect in the internal control system
| √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(c) | suspected infringement of laws, including securities related laws, rules and regulations
| ||
3.3.1(ii)(d) | any other matter | ||
3.3.2 | Directors Reporting to the Authorities | ||
3.4 | Reporting to the Shareholders and General Investors | √ | |
4.0 | External/ Statutory Auditors | ||
4.0(i) | Appraisal or valuation services of fairness opinions | √ | |
4.0(ii) | Financial information systems design and implementation | √ | |
4.0(iii) | Book-Keeping or other services related to Financial Statements | √ | |
4.0(iv) | Broker-dealer services | ||
4.0(v) | Actuarial services | ||
4.0(vi) | Internal Audit services | √ | |
4.0(vii) | Any other services that the Audit Committee determines | √ |
4.2.4 Dhaka Bank Ltd.
Compliance report as per Securities & Exchange Commission’s Notification dated 20th February, 2006 for all companies listed with any Stock Exchange in Bangladesh in order to improve Corporate Governance in the interest of Capital Market on “Comply or Explain” basis.
Table 4.4 Corporate Governance Disclosure by Dhaka Bank Ltd
Condition No-
| Title | Compliances Status | |
Complied | Non Complied | ||
1.00
| Board of Directors
| ||
1.1 | Board’s size | √ | |
1.2(i) | Independent Director | √ | |
1.2(ii) | Appointment of Independent Director | √ | |
1.3 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | √ | |
1.4 | The directors’ report to shareholders | ||
1.4(a) | Fairness of Financial Statements | √ | |
1.4(b) | Maintenance of proper books of accounts
| √ | |
1.4(c) | Consistent application of Accounting Policies in preparation of Financial Statements
| √ | |
1.4(d) | Observance of Bangladesh Accounting Standard (BAS) | √ | |
1.4(e) | Soundness in design and efficiency of internal control | √ | |
1.4(f) | Ability to continue as going concern
| √ | |
1.4(g) | Significant deviations from last year in operating result
| √ | |
1.4(h) | Summary of key operating and financial data for the last three years
| √ | |
1.4(i) | Declaration of stock dividend
| √ | |
1.4(j) | Disclosure about number of Board meeting held during the year and attendance by each Director
| √ | |
1.4(k) | Disclosure about shareholding pattern
| √ | |
2.00 | Chief Financial Officer, Head of Internal Audit and Company | ||
2.1 | Appointment of Chief Financial Officer (CFO),Head of Internal Audit, Company Secretary | √ | |
2.2 | Requirements to Attend Board Meetings
| ||
2.2(a) | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | √ | |
2.2(b) | Company Secretary
| √ | |
3.00 | Audit Committee | ||
3.1(i) | Number of Members of Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(ii) | Inclusion of Independent Director in the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(iii) | Filling of the casual vacancy in the Audit Committee | ||
3.2(i) | Selection of Chairman of the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.2(ii) | Qualification of Chairman of the Audit Committee
| √ | |
3.3 | Reporting of the Audit Committee | ||
3.3.1(i) | Reporting its activities to the Board of Directors | √ | |
3.3.1(ii) | Report to the Board by the Audit Committee on | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(a) | conflicts of interest | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(b) | suspected or presumed fraud or irregularity or material defect in the internal control system
| √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(c) | suspected infringement of laws, including securities related laws, rules and regulations
| √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(d) | any other matter | √ | |
3.3.2 | Directors Reporting to the Authorities | √ | |
3.4 | Reporting to the Shareholders and General Investors | √ | |
4.0 | External/ Statutory Auditors | ||
4.0(i) | Appraisal or valuation services of fairness opinions | √ | |
4.0(ii) | Financial information systems design and implementation | √ | |
4.0(iii) | Book-Keeping or other services related to Financial Statements | √ | |
4.0(iv) | Broker-dealer services | √ | |
4.0(v) | Actuarial services | √ | |
4.0(vi) | Internal Audit services | √ | |
4.0(vii) | Any other services that the Audit Committee determines | √ |
4.2.5 Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd.
Compliance report as per Securities & Exchange Commission’s Notification dated 20th February, 2006 for all companies listed with any Stock Exchange in Bangladesh in order to improve Corporate Governance in the interest of Capital Market on “Comply or Explain” basis.
Table 4.5 Corporate Governance Disclosure by Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd
Condition No-
| Title | Compliances Status | |
Complied | Non Complied | ||
1.00
| Board of Directors
| ||
1.1 | Board’s size | √ | |
1.2(i) | Independent Director | √ | |
1.2(ii) | Appointment of Independent Director | √ | |
1.3 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | √ | |
1.4 | The directors’ report to shareholders | ||
1.4(a) | Fairness of Financial Statements | √ | |
1.4(b) | Maintenance of proper books of accounts
| √ | |
1.4(c) | Consistent application of Accounting Policies in preparation of Financial Statements
| √ | |
1.4(d) | Observance of Bangladesh Accounting Standard (BAS) | √ | |
1.4(e) | Soundness in design and efficiency of internal control | √ | |
1.4(f) | Ability to continue as going concern
| √ | |
1.4(g) | Significant deviations from last year in operating result
| √ | |
1.4(h) | Summary of key operating and financial data for the last three years
| √ | |
1.4(i) | Declaration of stock dividend
| √ | |
1.4(j) | Disclosure about number of Board meeting held during the year and attendance by each Director
| √ | |
1.4(k) | Disclosure about shareholding pattern
| √ | |
2.00 | Chief Financial Officer, Head of Internal Audit and Company | ||
2.1 | Appointment of Chief Financial Officer (CFO),Head of Internal Audit, Company Secretary | √ | |
2.2 | Requirements to Attend Board Meetings
| √ | |
2.2(a) | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | √ | |
2.2(b) | Company Secretary
| √ | |
3.00 | Audit Committee | ||
3.1(i) | Number of Members of Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(ii) | Inclusion of Independent Director in the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(iii) | Filling of the casual vacancy in the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.2(i) | Selection of Chairman of the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.2(ii) | Qualification of Chairman of the Audit Committee
| √ | |
3.3 | Reporting of the Audit Committee | ||
3.3.1(i) | Reporting its activities to the Board of Directors | √ | |
3.3.1(ii) | Report to the Board by the Audit Committee on | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(a) | conflicts of interest | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(b) | suspected or presumed fraud or irregularity or material defect in the internal control system
| √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(c) | suspected infringement of laws, including securities related laws, rules and regulations
| √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(d) | any other matter | √ | |
3.3.2 | Directors Reporting to the Authorities | √ | |
3.4 | Reporting to the Shareholders and General Investors | √ | |
4.0 | External/ Statutory Auditors | ||
4.0(i) | Appraisal or valuation services of fairness opinions | √ | |
4.0(ii) | Financial information systems design and implementation | √ | |
4.0(iii) | Book-Keeping or other services related to Financial Statements | √ | |
4.0(iv) | Broker-dealer services | √ | |
4.0(v) | Actuarial services | √ | |
4.0(vi) | Internal Audit services | √ | |
4.0(vii) | Any other services that the Audit Committee determines | √ |
4.2.6 Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd.
Compliance report as per Securities & Exchange Commission’s Notification dated 20th February, 2006 for all companies listed with any Stock Exchange in Bangladesh in order to improve Corporate Governance in the interest of Capital Market on “Comply or Explain” basis.
Table 4.6Corporate Governance Disclosure by Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd
Condition No-
| Title | Compliances Status | |
Complied | Non Complied | ||
1.00
| Board of Directors
| ||
1.1 | Board’s size | √ | |
1.2(i) | Independent Director | √ | |
1.2(ii) | Appointment of Independent Director | √ | |
1.3 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | √ | |
1.4 | The directors’ report to shareholders | ||
1.4(a) | Fairness of Financial Statements | √ | |
1.4(b) | Maintenance of proper books of accounts
| √ | |
1.4(c) | Consistent application of Accounting Policies in preparation of Financial Statements
| √ | |
1.4(d) | Observance of Bangladesh Accounting Standard (BAS) | √ | |
1.4(e) | Soundness in design and efficiency of internal control | √ | |
1.4(f) | Ability to continue as going concern
| √ | |
1.4(g) | Significant deviations from last year in operating result
| ||
1.4(h) | Summary of key operating and financial data for the last three years
| √ | |
1.4(i) | Declaration of stock dividend
| √ | |
1.4(j) | Disclosure about number of Board meeting held during the year and attendance by each Director
| √ | |
1.4(k) | Disclosure about shareholding pattern
| √ | |
2.00 | Chief Financial Officer, Head of Internal Audit and Company | ||
2.1 | Appointment of Chief Financial Officer (CFO),Head of Internal Audit, Company Secretary | √ | |
2.2 | Requirements to Attend Board Meetings
| √ | |
2.2(a) | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | √ | |
2.2(b) | Company Secretary
| √ | |
3.00 | Audit Committee | ||
3.1(i) | Number of Members of Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(ii) | Inclusion of Independent Director in the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(iii) | Filling of the casual vacancy in the Audit Committee | ||
3.2(i) | Selection of Chairman of the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.2(ii) | Qualification of Chairman of the Audit Committee
| √ | |
3.3 | Reporting of the Audit Committee | ||
3.3.1(i) | Reporting its activities to the Board of Directors | √ | |
3.3.1(ii) | Report to the Board by the Audit Committee on | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(a) | conflicts of interest | ||
3.3.1(ii)(b) | suspected or presumed fraud or irregularity or material defect in the internal control system
| ||
3.3.1(ii)(c) | suspected infringement of laws, including securities related laws, rules and regulations
| ||
3.3.1(ii)(d) | any other matter | ||
3.3.2 | Directors Reporting to the Authorities | ||
3.4 | Reporting to the Shareholders and General Investors | √ | |
4.0 | External/ Statutory Auditors | ||
4.0(i) | Appraisal or valuation services of fairness opinions | √ | |
4.0(ii) | Financial information systems design and implementation | √ | |
4.0(iii) | Book-Keeping or other services related to Financial Statements | √ | |
4.0(iv) | Broker-dealer services | √ | |
4.0(v) | Actuarial services | √ | |
4.0(vi) | Internal Audit services | √ | |
4.0(vii) | Any other services that the Audit Committee determines |
4.2.7 Mercantile Bank Ltd.
Compliance report as per Securities & Exchange Commission’s Notification dated 20th February, 2006 for all companies listed with any Stock Exchange in Bangladesh in order to improve Corporate Governance in the interest of Capital Market on “Comply or Explain” basis.
Table 4.7Corporate Governance Disclosure by Mercantile Bank Ltd
Condition No-
| Title | Compliances Status | |
Complied | Non Complied | ||
1.00
| Board of Directors
| ||
1.1 | Board’s size | √ | |
1.2(i) | Independent Director | √ | |
1.2(ii) | Appointment of Independent Director | √ | |
1.3 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | √ | |
1.4 | The directors’ report to shareholders | ||
1.4(a) | Fairness of Financial Statements | √ | |
1.4(b) | Maintenance of proper books of accounts
| √ | |
1.4(c) | Consistent application of Accounting Policies in preparation of Financial Statements
| √ | |
1.4(d) | Observance of Bangladesh Accounting Standard (BAS) | √ | |
1.4(e) | Soundness in design and efficiency of internal control | √ | |
1.4(f) | Ability to continue as going concern
| √ | |
1.4(g) | Significant deviations from last year in operating result
| √ | |
1.4(h) | Summary of key operating and financial data for the last three years
| √ | |
1.4(i) | Declaration of stock dividend
| √ | |
1.4(j) | Disclosure about number of Board meeting held during the year and attendance by each Director
| √ | |
1.4(k) | Disclosure about shareholding pattern
| √ | |
2.00 | Chief Financial Officer, Head of Internal Audit and Company | ||
2.1 | Appointment of Chief Financial Officer (CFO),Head of Internal Audit, Company Secretary | √ | |
2.2 | Requirements to Attend Board Meetings
| √ | |
2.2(a) | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | √ | |
2.2(b) | Company Secretary
| √ | |
3.00 | Audit Committee | ||
3.1(i) | Number of Members of Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(ii) | Inclusion of Independent Director in the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(iii) | Filling of the casual vacancy in the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.2(i) | Selection of Chairman of the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.2(ii) | Qualification of Chairman of the Audit Committee
| √ | |
3.3 | Reporting of the Audit Committee | ||
3.3.1(i) | Reporting its activities to the Board of Directors | √ | |
3.3.1(ii) | Report to the Board by the Audit Committee on | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(a) | conflicts of interest | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(b) | suspected or presumed fraud or irregularity or material defect in the internal control system
| √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(c) | suspected infringement of laws, including securities related laws, rules and regulations
| √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(d) | any other matter | √ | |
3.3.2 | Directors Reporting to the Authorities | √ | |
3.4 | Reporting to the Shareholders and General Investors | √ | |
4.0 | External/ Statutory Auditors | ||
4.0(i) | Appraisal or valuation services of fairness opinions | √ | |
4.0(ii) | Financial information systems design and implementation | √ | |
4.0(iii) | Book-Keeping or other services related to Financial Statements | √ | |
4.0(iv) | Broker-dealer services | √ | |
4.0(v) | Actuarial services | √ | |
4.0(vi) | Internal Audit services | √ | |
4.0(vii) | Any other services that the Audit Committee determines | √ |
4.2.8 The Premier Bank Ltd.
Compliance report as per Securities & Exchange Commission’s Notification dated 20th February, 2006 for all companies listed with any Stock Exchange in Bangladesh in order to improve Corporate Governance in the interest of Capital Market on “Comply or Explain” basis.
Table 4.8Corporate Governance Disclosure by Premier Bank Ltd
Condition No-
| Title | Compliances Status | |
Complied | Non Complied | ||
1.00
| Board of Directors
| ||
1.1 | Board’s size | √ | |
1.2(i) | Independent Director | √ | |
1.2(ii) | Appointment of Independent Director | √ | |
1.3 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | √ | |
1.4 | The directors’ report to shareholders | ||
1.4(a) | Fairness of Financial Statements | √ | |
1.4(b) | Maintenance of proper books of accounts
| √ | |
1.4(c) | Consistent application of Accounting Policies in preparation of Financial Statements
| √ | |
1.4(d) | Observance of Bangladesh Accounting Standard (BAS) | √ | |
1.4(e) | Soundness in design and efficiency of internal control | √ | |
1.4(f) | Ability to continue as going concern
| √ | |
1.4(g) | Significant deviations from last year in operating result
| ||
1.4(h) | Summary of key operating and financial data for the last three years
| √ | |
1.4(i) | Declaration of stock dividend
| √ | |
1.4(j) | Disclosure about number of Board meeting held during the year and attendance by each Director
| √ | |
1.4(k) | Disclosure about shareholding pattern
| √ | |
2.00 | Chief Financial Officer, Head of Internal Audit and Company | ||
2.1 | Appointment of Chief Financial Officer (CFO),Head of Internal Audit, Company Secretary | √ | |
2.2 | Requirements to Attend Board Meetings
| √ | |
2.2(a) | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | √ | |
2.2(b) | Company Secretary
| √ | |
3.00 | Audit Committee | ||
3.1(i) | Number of Members of Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(ii) | Inclusion of Independent Director in the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(iii) | Filling of the casual vacancy in the Audit Committee | ||
3.2(i) | Selection of Chairman of the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.2(ii) | Qualification of Chairman of the Audit Committee
| √ | |
3.3 | Reporting of the Audit Committee | ||
3.3.1(i) | Reporting its activities to the Board of Directors | √ | |
3.3.1(ii) | Report to the Board by the Audit Committee on | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(a) | conflicts of interest | ||
3.3.1(ii)(b) | suspected or presumed fraud or irregularity or material defect in the internal control system
| ||
3.3.1(ii)(c) | suspected infringement of laws, including securities related laws, rules and regulations
| ||
3.3.1(ii)(d) | any other matter | ||
3.3.2 | Directors Reporting to the Authorities | ||
3.4 | Reporting to the Shareholders and General Investors | ||
4.0 | External/ Statutory Auditors | ||
4.0(i) | Appraisal or valuation services of fairness opinions | √ | |
4.0(ii) | Financial information systems design and implementation | √ | |
4.0(iii) | Book-Keeping or other services related to Financial Statements | √ | |
4.0(iv) | Broker-dealer services | √ | |
4.0(v) | Actuarial services | √ | |
4.0(vi) | Internal Audit services | √ | |
4.0(vii) | Any other services that the Audit Committee determines | √ |
4.2.9 Bank Asia Ltd.
Compliance report as per Securities & Exchange Commission’s Notification dated 20th February, 2006 for all companies listed with any Stock Exchange in Bangladesh in order to improve Corporate Governance in the interest of Capital Market on “Comply or Explain” basis.
Table 4.9Corporate Governance Disclosure by Bank Asia Ltd
Condition No-
| Title | Compliances Status | |
Complied | Non Complied | ||
1.00
| Board of Directors
| ||
1.1 | Board’s size | √ | |
1.2(i) | Independent Director | √ | |
1.2(ii) | Appointment of Independent Director | √ | |
1.3 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | √ | |
1.4 | The directors’ report to shareholders | ||
1.4(a) | Fairness of Financial Statements | √ | |
1.4(b) | Maintenance of proper books of accounts
| √ | |
1.4(c) | Consistent application of Accounting Policies in preparation of Financial Statements
| √ | |
1.4(d) | Observance of Bangladesh Accounting Standard (BAS) | √ | |
1.4(e) | Soundness in design and efficiency of internal control | √ | |
1.4(f) | Ability to continue as going concern
| √ | |
1.4(g) | Significant deviations from last year in operating result
| √ | |
1.4(h) | Summary of key operating and financial data for the last three years
| √ | |
1.4(i) | Declaration of stock dividend
| √ | |
1.4(j) | Disclosure about number of Board meeting held during the year and attendance by each Director
| √ | |
1.4(k) | Disclosure about shareholding pattern
| √ | |
2.00 | Chief Financial Officer, Head of Internal Audit and Company | ||
2.1 | Appointment of Chief Financial Officer (CFO),Head of Internal Audit, Company Secretary | √ | |
2.2 | Requirements to Attend Board Meetings
| √ | |
2.2(a) | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | √ | |
2.2(b) | Company Secretary
| √ | |
3.00 | Audit Committee | ||
3.1(i) | Number of Members of Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(ii) | Inclusion of Independent Director in the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(iii) | Filling of the casual vacancy in the Audit Committee | ||
3.2(i) | Selection of Chairman of the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.2(ii) | Qualification of Chairman of the Audit Committee
| √ | |
3.3 | Reporting of the Audit Committee | ||
3.3.1(i) | Reporting its activities to the Board of Directors | √ | |
3.3.1(ii) | Report to the Board by the Audit Committee on | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(a) | conflicts of interest | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(b) | suspected or presumed fraud or irregularity or material defect in the internal control system
| √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(c) | suspected infringement of laws, including securities related laws, rules and regulations
| √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(d) | any other matter | √ | |
3.3.2 | Directors Reporting to the Authorities | ||
3.4 | Reporting to the Shareholders and General Investors | √ | |
4.0 | External/ Statutory Auditors | ||
4.0(i) | Appraisal or valuation services of fairness opinions | √ | |
4.0(ii) | Financial information systems design and implementation | √ | |
4.0(iii) | Book-Keeping or other services related to Financial Statements | √ | |
4.0(iv) | Broker-dealer services | √ | |
4.0(v) | Actuarial services | √ | |
4.0(vi) | Internal Audit services | √ | |
4.0(vii) | Any other services that the Audit Committee determines | √ |
4.2. 10BRAC Bank Ltd.
Compliance report as per Securities & Exchange Commission’s Notification dated 20th February, 2006 for all companies listed with any Stock Exchange in Bangladesh in order to improve Corporate Governance in the interest of Capital Market on “Comply or Explain” basis.
Table 4.10 Corporate Governance Disclosure by Bank Ltd
Condition No-
| Title | Compliances Status | |
Complied | Non Complied | ||
1.00
| Board of Directors
| ||
1.1 | Board’s size | √ | |
1.2(i) | Independent Director | √ | |
1.2(ii) | Appointment of Independent Director | √ | |
1.3 | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | √ | |
1.4 | The directors’ report to shareholders | ||
1.4(a) | Fairness of Financial Statements | √ | |
1.4(b) | Maintenance of proper books of accounts
| √ | |
1.4(c) | Consistent application of Accounting Policies in preparation of Financial Statements
| √ | |
1.4(d) | Observance of Bangladesh Accounting Standard (BAS) | √ | |
1.4(e) | Soundness in design and efficiency of internal control | √ | |
1.4(f) | Ability to continue as going concern
| √ | |
1.4(g) | Significant deviations from last year in operating result
| ||
1.4(h) | Summary of key operating and financial data for the last three years
| √ | |
1.4(i) | Declaration of stock dividend
| √ | |
1.4(j) | Disclosure about number of Board meeting held during the year and attendance by each Director
| √ | |
1.4(k) | Disclosure about shareholding pattern
| √ | |
2.00 | Chief Financial Officer, Head of Internal Audit and Company | ||
2.1 | Appointment of Chief Financial Officer (CFO),Head of Internal Audit, Company Secretary | √ | |
2.2 | Requirements to Attend Board Meetings
| √ | |
2.2(a) | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | √ | |
2.2(b) | Company Secretary
| √ | |
3.00 | Audit Committee | ||
3.1(i) | Number of Members of Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(ii) | Inclusion of Independent Director in the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.1(iii) | Filling of the casual vacancy in the Audit Committee | ||
3.2(i) | Selection of Chairman of the Audit Committee | √ | |
3.2(ii) | Qualification of Chairman of the Audit Committee
| √ | |
3.3 | Reporting of the Audit Committee | ||
3.3.1(i) | Reporting its activities to the Board of Directors | √ | |
3.3.1(ii) | Report to the Board by the Audit Committee on | √ | |
3.3.1(ii)(a) | conflicts of interest | ||
3.3.1(ii)(b) | suspected or presumed fraud or irregularity or material defect in the internal control system
| ||
3.3.1(ii)(c) | suspected infringement of laws, including securities related laws, rules and regulations
| ||
3.3.1(ii)(d) | any other matter | √ | |
3.3.2 | Directors Reporting to the Authorities | ||
3.4 | Reporting to the Shareholders and General Investors | √ | |
4.0 | External/ Statutory Auditors | ||
4.0(i) | Appraisal or valuation services of fairness opinions | √ | |
4.0(ii) | Financial information systems design and implementation | √ | |
4.0(iii) | Book-Keeping or other services related to Financial Statements | √ | |
4.0(iv) | Broker-dealer services | √ | |
4.0(v) | Actuarial services | √ | |
4.0(vi) | Internal Audit services | √ | |
4.0(vii) | Any other services that the Audit Committee determines | √ |
4.3 Corporate governance disclosure index
Table 4.11 Disclosure index
Banks | (Total Compliance/Total compliance required) | Index |
Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd | 39/39 | 1.00 |
National Bank Ltd.
| 36/39 | .923 |
Southeast Bank Ltd
| 39/39 | 1.00 |
Dhaka Bank Ltd
| 37/39 | .949 |
Mercantile Bank Ltd
| 36/39 | .923 |
Pubali Bank Ltd
| 36/39 | .923 |
BRAC Bank Ltd
| 38/39 | .974 |
Bank Asia Ltd
| 38/39 | .974 |
Premier Bank Ltd
| 38/39 | .974 |
Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd | 36/39 | .923 |
4.4Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) disclosure
4.4.1 Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd.
Disaster
1. DBBL has donated Tk. 25 lakh for the victims of devastating landslides in Chittagong
Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director of the Bank handed over a Payment Order of Tk. 25.00 lac (Taka Twenty Five Lac) to the Honorable Adviser Major General (Rtd.) M. A. Matin at Chittagong Circuit House on June 13, 2007 for victims due to a devastating landslides following torrential rains lashed down in Chittagong city and its adjacent areas.
2. DBBL donates 130 bundles of GCI sheets to Noakhali district
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) donated 130 bundles of GCI sheets worth Tk. 5.60 lac for rehabilitating the homeless people affected by river-erosion of Ramgoti Upazila under Noakhali District on August 14, 2005.
3. DBBL donates 700 bundles of high grade GCI sheets to Gaibandha and Rangpur districts
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited donated 700 bundles of high grade GCI sheets worth of Tk. 29.00 lac for rehabilitating the standard people of the four Upazilas of Gaibandha and Rangpur districts. Dr. Mozammel Hossain Khan, Co-ordination, DBBL is seen handing over GCI sheets to Mr. Tapan Chandra Mazumdar, Deputy Commissioner of Gaibandha district.
4. DBBL has distributed blankets among the cold-affected people
Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director, Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited is seen distributing blankets among the cold-affected people of Angarpota and Dohogram – the enclaves of Bangladesh. Notably, 4,000 blankets were distributed to cover each of the 4,000 families of the villages waiting for blankets.
Donation
Activities of Dutch-Bangla Bank Foundation (DBBF)
Donation to different organization:
a. Tk.4 crore for setting up a modem cancer hospital to Ahsania Mission Cancer Society.
b. Tk.1 crore for setting up a modern cancer hospital to Bangladesh Cancer Society.
c. Tk.1.20 crore for setting up a pediatric hospital to provide service to low income people whose 30% will be free and rest will be at low cost.
d. Tk.90 lac to kidney foundation for setting up Operation Theater.
Beside this DBBF also provides financial aid with different organizations that engages relentlessly to work with destitute women and children. Very recently DBBF has donated Tk. 15, 00,000/= to Rotary Club of Metropolitan Dhaka to purchase a modern equipment for the hearing impaired children. In 2003 approximately Tk.12, 10,986 (taka twelve lac ten thousand nine hundred eighty six) only and in 2004 approximately Tk40, 51,000.00 (taka forty lac fifty one thousand) only and in 2005 approximately Tk31, 55,000 (taka thirty one lac fifty five thousand) only is given as donation to different organization and person to mitigate their purpose.
Diabetic Hospital: DBBL donates Tk.1,00,00.00 per month to bear operational expenses of Narayangonj Diabetic Hospital since October, 2001.
Rural Health Care: DBBL has established Rural Health Center at its rural branches to render free medical services to the rural and destitute people of the adjoining areas.
On the other hand, the need base donations and subscriptions are extended to those areas, where it is needed most. Some of the activities in this category are:
1. Tk.40,000,000.00 (Taka forty million) to Dhaka Ahsania Mission to set up a Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital.
2. Tk.10,000,000.00 (Taka ten million) to Bangladesh Cancer Society to set up a modern cancer hospital.
3 Tk.12,000,000.00 (Taka twelve million) to Shishu Sasthya Foundation to construct two floors of proposed 15 storied building of the Foundation.
4. Tk.9,000,000.00 (Taka Nine million) to Kidney Foundation to setup two operation theatres and a kidney transplantation ICU with a view to provide low cost services to poor kidney patients.
5. TK.1,500,000.00(Taka one million five hundred thousand) to Rotary Club of Metropolitan, Dhaka to help the disadvantaged children with hearing impairment.
6. Tk.500,000.00 (Taka Five hundred thousand) to Md. Atiqur Rahman Hridoy, a meritorious student of BUET who has been suffering from Blood Cancer.
7. Tk.100,000.00 (Taka one hundred thousand) to Md. Mokhlesur Rahman, a meritorious student of Economics Department of Dhaka University who has been suffering from Hepatities-B.
8. Tk.350,000.00 (Taka Three hundred Fifty Thousand) to Bangladesh Neonatal Forum for improving neonatal health as well as reducing neonatal Mortality rate in Bangladesh.
9. Tk.350,000.00 (Taka Three hundred Fifty Thousand) donated for sinking 25 shallow tubewells in 25 spots of Angorpota Dahagram enclaves.
10. Tk.300,000.00 (Taka Three hundred thousand) to Saleh Child Development Disability Management Centre to provide support to the mentaly retarded and disabled children.
11. Tk.300,000.00 (Taka Three hundred thousand) to Bangladesh Thalassaemia Hospital to setup modern equipments for reducing sufferings of poor Thalassaemic patients.
12. Tk.200,000.00 (Taka Two hundred thousand) to Health Promotion Limited for setting up private Chamber for Community Maternity Practitioner (CMP) Students.
13. Tk.180,000.00 (Taka One hundred Eighty Thousand) to Nirapad Sarak Chai for helping 12 families, victims of road accidents
14. Tk. 150,000.00 (Taka One hundred Fifty Thousand) only to APON for organising a training program on Therapeutic Community.
15. Tk.100,000.00 (Taka One hundred thousand) only to Society for the Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled, Bangladesh for training and rehabilitation of the mentally retarded and disabled children.
16. Tk.100,000.00 (Taka One hundred thousand) to SIED TRUST, Bangladesh for rehabilitation of underprivileged intellectually disabled children.
17. Tk.100,000.00 (Taka One hundred thousand) to Street Children Partner Bangladesh to develop the condition of street children.
18. Tk.100,000.00 (Taka One hundred thousand) to EKMATTRA for making a short length feature film named “Je Shohor Chorabali.
19. DBBL has donated G.C.I. sheets among the victims of river erosion and tornado affected people of Bogra, B. Baria, Netrokona, Mymensingh, Gaibandha, Rangpur and Ramgoti at a cost of Tk. 10 million.
20. DBBL has distributed blankets among the cold affected people of the country. So far the bank has distributed 1,50,000 pieces of blankets at a cost of Tk. 37.50 million.
The DBBF has very recently chalked out an elaborate program to undertake few more program. Such as- Donation of books to the library of different Universities, Donation of a DNA detection machine to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) for preventing Thelasaemia, Repair of Prolapse uterus / V.V.F., Repair of club foot, Prevention of Drug Abuse etc. We hope with the blessings of Almighty Allah, DBBF shall continue all such altruistic activities for betterment of the society, which we all belong to.
Oprotiroddhaya Bangladesh – a symbol of sacrifice for Great Liberation War has been unveiled
A monument namely Oprotiroddhaya Bangladesh has been unveiled to commemo- rate the sacrifice for Great Liberation war at Panchdona Circle on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway under Narsingdi district with the financial assi-stance of Dutch Bangla Bank Limited.
DBBL has donated Tk. 3.00 crore to Bangladesh Olympic Association
DBBL donated a roundtrip air ticket to a physically handicapped employee of BRAC
DBBL has donated two modern ambulances to Anjuman Mufidul Islam
Education
DBBL awards Fellowships to pursue M. Phil, Doctoral & Post Doctoral Degree
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited awarded Fellowships to the scholars conducting researches to pursue M. Phil, Doctoral and Post Doctoral degrees at a simple ceremony held at Hotel Purbani International, Dilkusha, Dhaka on December 22, 2008. Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Governor, Bangladesh Bank was present as the Chief Guest and awarded Fellowships among the scholars. Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director, Managing Director of the bank was present at that time.
Dutch-Bangla Bank donates Tk. 9.73 crore to Dhaka University
Dutch-Bangla Bank limited handed over the Letter of Commitment for donating Tk. 9.73 crore to Dhaka University for constructing “Dutch-Bangla Bank Centre for Advanced Research in Arts & Social Sciences”. The Managing Director of Dutch-Bangia Bank limited Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali handed over the Commitment Letter to Prof. S. M. A. Faiz, the Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University in a simple ceremony arranged by the Dhaka University authority in the Senate Bhaban on February 27, 2008.
DBBL has awarded scholarship to meritorious including 10 physical disabled students
Dutch-Bangla Bank limited awarded scholarships to the meritorious including 10 physically disabled students for their full academic period. Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Governor of Bangladesh Bank was present as the Chief Guest and handed over the Scholarship Awarding Letters to the recipients in a simple ceremony held at a local hotel on February 18, 2008. Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director, Mr. AHM Nazmul Quadir, Additional Managing Director of Dutch-Bangia Bank and Dr. Mozammel Hossain Khan, Coordinator of Dutch-Bangia Bank Foundation were also present in the function.
DBBL has awarded scholarship to 200 meritorious and needy students
Under the DBBL-Scholarship Program, Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited awarded scholarship to 200 meritorious and needy students including 10 physically challenged students who passed HSC Examination in 2006 and studying at graduate level in different universities/colleges of the country. Dr. A. B. Mirza Md. Azizul Islam, Honorable Adviser, Ministry of Finance, Planning, Commerce and Post & Telecommunication, Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was present as the Chief Guest and gave away the Scholarship Awarding Letters to the recipients at a simple ceremony held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium, Dhaka on June 17, 2007. Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director of Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited presided over the function. The Chief Guest, Managing Director and Additional Managing Director Mr. AHM Nazmul Quadir are seen with the scholarship awardees in the picture.
DBBL donates books for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) donated Tk. 15.00 lac for purchasing academic reference books for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). The Managing Director of Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali handed over a payment order of Tk. 15.00 lac to Professor M. A. Hadi, Vice Chancellor of BSMMU held on June 8, 2006 at the latter’s office in a simple ceremony.
DBBL has donated a Pick-up Van to Bangladesh Agricultural University
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited has donated a Toyota Hi-Lux Pick-up Van to the Department of Crop Botany of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director of the bank handed over the Key of Pick-up van to Professor M. Amirul Islam, Vice Chancellor of BAU at a simple ceremony held at Bank’s Head Office, Dhaka on June 7, 2006.
DBBL has donated books for Dhaka University Central Library
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) donated Tk. 15.00 lac for purchasing academic reference books for Dhaka University Central Library. The Managing Director of Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali handed over a payment order of Tk. 15.00 lac to Professor S. M. A. Faiz, Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University at a simple ceremony held at Administrative Building of the University Campus on June 8, 2006.
DBBL awards scholarships to the meritorious and needy Students
Under the DBBL-Scholarship Program, Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited awarded scholarship to 150 meritorious and needy students including 6 Blind students who passed HSC Examination in 2005 and studying at graduate level in different Universities/Colleges of the country. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, Managing Director, Palli Karma Sahayok Foundation (PKSF) was present as the Chief Guest and gave away the Scholarship Awarding Letters to the recipients at a simple ceremony held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium, Dhaka on June 27, 2006. Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director of Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited presided over the function.
International Mathematical Olympiad-2006
Dutch-Bangla Bank – Prothom Alo and Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad (BMO) committee jointly organized the International Mathematical Olympiad-2006 on July 8, 2006. Managing Director of Dutch-Bangla Bank Md Yeasin Ali speaks at a reception ceremony for the Bangladesh team members who will take part in the 47th International Mathematical Olympiad. General Secretary of BMO committee Munir Hasan, Vice President Prof. Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Joint Editor of Prothom Alo Abdul Quaiyum and presents of the contestants were present on the occasion.
Health
DBBL distributes the Treatment Cards to 50 HIV/AIDS positive patients
As a part of Corporate Social Responsibility, Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited has been extending medical facilities and other support to 50 HIV positive patients since 2004. In continuation of this program, DBBL organized a “Treatment Card” distribution program among the HIV positive patients on June11, 2007 in Hotel Purbani International, Dilkusha, Dhaka. Major General (Rtd.) Dr. ASM Matiur Rahman, Honorable Advisor, Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, Water Resources and Religious Affairs, Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was present as the chief guest and distributed the Treatment Cards to 50 HIV/AIDS positive patients while Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director of the bank presided over the function. WProfessor Nazrul Islam, Head of Virology Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and Dr. Md. Shahzahan Biswas, Director General (Health Services), Health Directorate were present as special guests. Among others, Mr. K. S. Tabrez, Deputy Managing Director (Administration), Mr. Ghulam Kabir, Deputy Managing Director (Operation) and Senior Executives of the bank were also present at the function.
DBBL donates a DNA detection machine to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) donated a DNA detection machine at a cost of Tk. 50.00 lac to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University for setting-up a Genetic Laboratory to prevent Thalassemia Syndrome in the country. The Chairman of Dutch-Bangla Bank Foundation Mr. M. Shahabuddin Ahmed unveiled the plaque of the Genetic Laboratory at Paediatric Hematology & Oncology Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University on June 03, 2006.
DBBL has donated an amount of Tk. 9.36 crore to Diabetic Association of Bangladesh
As a part of Corporate Social Responsibility, Dutch-BangIa Bank Limited has donated an amount of Tk. 9.36 crore to Diabetic Association of Bangladesh Mr. M. Saifur Rahman, Honorable Minister for Finance & Planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was present as the Chief Guest and handed over the Letter of Commitment of DBBL to Professor A.K. Azad Khan, Secretary General of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh for modernization and expansion of lbrahim Cardiac Hospital & Research Institute at a simple ceremony held at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel on September 24, 2006. Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Governor, Bangladesh Bank and Md. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director of Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited were present at the function.
DBBL stands by disabled and underprivileged children
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited has extended financial assistance amounting to Tk. 18.5 lac to 17 NGOs engaged in rehabilitation of the disabled children of Bangladesh. Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director of the bank handed over the payment orders to the representatives of the organizations at a simple ceremony held at the Bank’s Training Institute on June 05, 2006.
DBBL has donated an Endoscope machine to National Medical College & Hospital
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) donated Tk. 15.00 lac for purchasing a Video Endoscope Machine to National Medical College & Hospital. Mayor of Dhaka City Corporation Mr. Sadek Hossain, MP, received a payment order of Tk. 15,00 lac in favour of National Medical College & Hospital from Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director of Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited at a simple ceremony held at National Medical College & Hospital on June 10, 2006.
DBBL Smile-Brighter program starts in Dhaka City
Under the DBBL “Smile-Brighter” program, Dutch-Bangla Bank has organized a plastic surgery operation campaign at bank’s own cost in Dhaka City for the poor cleft-lipped boys and girls to bring back the endearing smile on their faces. The 4 day –long operation campaign started at South View Hospital at Mirpur of the city on June 11, 2006 and will continue till June 14, 2006. A plastic surgery team consisting of eight members headed by eminent plastic surgeon Dr. A. J. M. Salek has been conducting the operation.
DBBL provides medical supports to HIV/AIDS patients
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited organized a program for providing medical supports to the HIV positive patients at Hotel Purbani International, Dilkusha, Dhaka on June 22, 2006. Major General (Rtd.) Dr. ASM Motiur Rahman, Chairman, Technical Sub Committee, National AIDS Committee was present as the chief guest and distributed the Treatment Cards to 50 HIV/AIDS positive patients while Mr. Md. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director of the bank presided over the function. Brother Ronald Drahozal, CSC, Executive Director of APON – a volunteer organization working with addicted street children of the country also spoke as Special Guest.
DBBL has organized a 4 day-long plastic surgery operation in Faridpur
Under the DBBL Smile-Brighter Program, Dutch-BangIa Bank Limited organized a 4 day-Iong plastic surgery operation, during September 06 – 09, 2006 in Faridpur for the poor cleft-lipped boys and girls at the bank’s own cost to bring back enduring smile on their faces. The operations were performed at Faridpur Diabetic Association Hospital by a surgery team header by eminent plastic surgeon Prof Dr. A.J.M. Salek. Managing Director of the Bank Mr. Md Yeasin Ali and Medical Consultant of Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited Dr. Mozammel Hossain Khan are seen to visit two cleft-lipped patients just after operation.
Information Technology
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) undertakes a project with BASIS (Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services) to award the best IT uses by Bangladeshi companies.
DBBL and BASIS organized IT award-giving ceremony in this regard. The award Ceremony was held on 30th November 2005, which was the day before last day of BASIS SOFfEXP02005 (November 27-December 01, 2005). This was a gala evening (with dinner and cultural program) attended by around 700 dignitaries including government high officials & policy makers, corporate heads, representatives from development agencies, IT policy makers, academicians and the IT industry members.
In this regards, DBBL’s contribution in supporting this event was 50% of the estimated cost with Tk. 6.25 Lac.
CSR Award 2005
DBBL has received Asian CSR Award-2005
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited has won Asian CSR Award-2005 for its outstanding program on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Mr. Yeasin Ali, Managing Director, DBBL is seen receiving Asian CSR Award-2005 from the Chief Guest, Dr. Juwono Sundarsono, the Honorable Minister for Defense, the Republic of Indonesia at a ceremony held on September 09, 2005 in Jakarta.
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited has been again nominated for the Asian CSR Awards 2006. DBBL has decided to participate in the category of
i. EDN- Support and Improvement of Education
ii. POV- Poverty Alleviation
iii. Concern for Health Disaster
4.4.2 National Bank Ltd.
Education
National Bank Limited Foundation was established in 1989 for fulfilling responsibilities for welfare of the society .It has been running the National Bank public School and collage in Moghbazar, Dhaka. In 2008, 53 students appeared at the SSC Examination among them 25 students achieved Golden A+ and 32 students appeared at the H.S.C. examination among them 4 students achieved Golden A+.
The bank has been accommodating prospective graduates o recognized universities for completing their internship.
NBL also awarded stipend and scholarship to the brilliant children of the employees of the bank.
Disaster Relief
National Bank Limited always extends its helping hands and stands by the suffering and helpless people in times of natural calamities.
In 2007, National Bank Limited donated Tk. 40.00 Lac to help the victims of flood, Tk. 20.00 Lac for relief operation for landslide victims and Tk. 50.00 Lac for Sider victims to the relief fund of the Chief advisor and the Army Chief. The Bank has also taken a pilot project for post flood agricultural rehabilitation at Sirajgonj.
On 10th March, 2009 a Payment Order for Tk.25.00 Lac has been handed over to the Hon’ble Prime Minister as a donation/financial assisrance to the bereaved family members of the martyred Army Officers killed in the BDR carnage held on 25th February, 2009.
On 1st April, 2009, NBL donated Tk. 24.00 Lac to the Hon’ble Prime Minister to hand over the same to the family members of the martyred Army Officer which will be paid to 5 (five) families @ Tk. 40,000/- per month to each family for 1 year which will continue for 10 years. Thus total amount of donation will be Tk. 2.40 Crore.
Sports & Culture
Nation Bank has a tradition of patronizing and sponsoring sports and cultural of the country. The “National Bank Volleyball league -2007” was arranged under patronization of the Bank. NBL has been arranging annual picnic for gathering and recreation o its executives, officers and staff.
Employment
NBL has been continuously creating new fields of employment every year by way of expansion of its business activities and branch network in 2007, the bank created employment for 238 personnel’s.
4.4.3 Southeast Bank Ltd
Southeast Bank works to promote good community relations to foster a relationship of understanding, trust and credibility. It has a long history of support for charitable causes. In 2008, Southeast Bank has spent Tk.14.82 million as donations for education, sports, art, culture, health-cares, community development, relief operations etc. The major areas of donations are given in the table below:
Sl. Date To whom given Donated Amount
No.
01 07.01.2008 Sub-ordinate employees of the Bank affected by
Cyclone-Sidr Tk.3,75,000/-
02 09.02.2008 Mr. S. Humayan Kabir for medical treatment Tk.1,00,000/-
03 13.02.2008 Bangladesh Amateur Boxing Federation Tk.4,22,500/-
04 27.03.2008 Bangladesh Amateur Boxing Federation Tk.87,500/-
05 04.05.2008 Autistic Children’s Welfare Foundation Tk.5,00,000/-
06 27.05.2008 Bangladesh Amateur Boxing Federation Tk.7,81,500/-
07 14.06.2008 Mrs. Sufia Akhter for Cancer treatment Tk.10,00,000/-
08 16.07.2008 Mr. Shafayet Hossain for his kidney transplant Tk.25,00,000/-
09 03.08.2008 Bangladesh Amateur Boxing Federation Tk.2,62,000/-
10 29.09.2008 Ms. Mariam Khanam for medical treatment of her son. Tk.3,00,000/-
11 20.11.2008 Dishari Foundation for construction of brick house. Tk.1,50,000/-
12 12.11.2008 Mr. Abu Neser Md. Hassan for medical treatment of his wife. Tk.50,000/-
13 24.11.2008 Mr. Syed Md. Showket Osman for medical treatment. Tk.6,00,000/-
14 01.12.2008 Bangladesh Amateur Boxing Federation Tk.8,46,200/-
15 15.12.2008 Karmojibi Nari for purchase of a refrigerator for their official use. Tk.30,957/-
16 28.12.2008 Bangladesh Amateur Boxing Federation Tk.1,00,200/-
Southeast Bank Foundation
The Bank has also established the Southeast Bank Foundation to participate in social work in a more organized manner. In 2008, the Foundation donated Tk.11, 75,000.00 for the distressed humanity. Out of the amount, Tk.10.00 lac was given to Mr. Md. Rahimul Islam Majumder for medical treatment of his son’s hearing and speaking disability. Tk.1,75,000/- was donated to the Society for the Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled – Bangladesh.
To encourage female professionals in the field of accountancy of the country, the Foundation has awarded scholarships for 02 (two) deserving female articled students of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) on a recurring basis to continue annually to pursue Chartered Accountancy Course. Each scholarship holder is being given Tk.3,000.00 per month for 03 (three) years. Besides Tk.10, 000.00 was paid to each of them for books and other related expenditures.
4.4.4Dhaka Bank Ltd
Dhaka Bank is committed to corporate social responsibilities towards the community. The
Bank allocates 2% of pre-tax profit for CSR practices each year. Last year, the Bank has
taken numerous initiatives towards social welfare and community improvements, which
includes donation of Tk20.00 Million to Kidney Foundation Hospital to install state of the art
Dialysis Unit to mitigate the sufferings of the poor women and children of the country. The
Bank provided Tk1.2 Million to Center for Women & Child Health (CWCH) and donated
Tk1.2 Million to BIRDEM as a gesture of humanitarian consideration for the dialysis
treatment of the financially needy kidney patients. In 2008 Dhaka Bank Limited
associated with Bangladesh Hockey Federation as Partners in Progress for development of
Hockey and donated Tk 2.5 Million to Bangladesh Hockey Federation.
The Bank also sponsored
Dhaka Bank Victory Day Hockey Tournament
Dhaka Bank Shaheed Dibash Hockey Tournament
Dhaka Bank Independence Day Hockey Tournament
1st Dhaka Bank Cup Golf Tournament
Dhaka Bank 22nd Bangladesh International Junior Tennis Championships
National Hockey Team in Asia Cup
National Hockey Team in Nehru Cup
Dhaka Bank Premier Cricket League at Rangpur
In 2008 Dhaka Bank was award
Certificate of Merit from ICAB
Best Bank Award
CSR Award
4.4.5 Mercantile Bank Limited
Mercantile Bank Limited (MBL) is fully committed to conduct its business activities in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable manner. The Bank always fosters the motive in mind to build a ever-lasting warm relationship with the customers, employees, capital providers, community people, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders. Keeping this motive in mind, MBL always cares all of its stakeholders and the community people since its inception.
For Community
As we all know that banks act as a ‘Trustee’ for the society. Therefore, MBL behaves in a responsible and ethical manner with the community people. The Bank always contributes towards changing the quality of life of the people as the Bank wishes to see them leading their life in a standard way. The Bank serves by adhering closely the national policies and thereby contributing towards the progress of the nation. In maintaining its responsibilities to the society where it operates its business activities, MBL focuses in the areas of employment, education, professional development and contribution to the underprivileged people.
Employment
MBL plays an important role in creating job opportunities for the people. Each year, the Bank creates employment opportunities for fresh graduates as well as experienced officials. In 2008, a total of 169 fresh graduates have joined with MBL family. The new recruits have joined as Probationary Officers (82) and Assistant Officer (87). Besides, experienced bankers are also being appointed in the Bank as and when required. At the end of 2008, the Bank has 1,115 officials in its payroll. Moreover, Bank’s financing to the SME sector will indeed promote employment generation.
CSR Activities of the Bank in 2008 and one year back:
Sector Wise Spending Amount in BDT
Donation to Mercantile Bank [ 2008 ] one year back [2007]
Foundation 100, 00,000 40, 00,000
Education 390,000 100,000
Health 200,000 25,000
Disaster/Relief 1,530,000 10,400,000
Others 50,000 90,00
Total 12,170,000 14,615,000
Education
MBL desires for an educated nation. The Bank through its Foundation, patronizes the education sector of the country. The Bank provides scholarship to the needy and brilliant students of different educational institutions. Best two MBM graduates of BIBM get financial awards from the Bank. In the year under review, the Bank has provided scholarship worth BDT 1 lakh in this regard. The children of the employees of the Bank also get scholarship for brilliant results. MBL has also donated BDT 1.00 million to Bangla Academy for research in Bengali Literature with a view to aid academic research, which would eventually uphold Bangladeshi culture across the Globe.
Professional Development
Professional education has been encouraged in MBL. The Bank believes that to be more professional one should gather professional knowledge. The Bank is continuing its supports to the professional bodies as it continued earlier. The Bank encourages it employees to complete Banking Diploma by rewarding BDT 5,000 for completion of part-I and BDT 7,000 for completion of part-Il.
Support to Destitute
MBL always shares the well and woe of the distressed people. Mercantile Bank Foundation has been set up to give financial support to the underprivileged communities. Through this Foundation, the Bank concentrates on addressing the needs of physically disable people such as blind, acid victims etc. The people of our country are used to be the victims of natural calamities every now and then. The Bank strives to assist the victims of natural disaster by providing financial help in rehabilitation and rescue purpose. In the year 2008, the Bank donated BDT15.30 Iakh for helping the disaster victims.
For Cultural Activities
MBL fosters the culture of various communities. The Bank is relentlessly supporting traditional games and sports by taking some non-profit initiatives. As a recognized benefactor of culture, the Bank provides funding for the publication of art books that familiarize the Bank. A variety of cultural institutions have been benefited by the initiatives of the Bank. The Bank also supports the writers, musicians and other performers in their inventive activities.
The Bank patronizes different cultural activities. A number of cultural programs encouraging different communities have been sponsored by the Bank. The Bank has sponsored National Chess Championship, Tennis competition and Swimming competition in different times. In 2008, the Bank was the Official Sponsor of 23rd National Swimming Championship Competition arranged by Bangladesh Swimming Federation. BDT 1 (one) million has been donated to celebrate this ceremony.
Mercantfle Bank Foundation
Mercantile Bank Foundation has been established to act as a helping hand to the community people and Banks commitment towards CSR. The Foundation always plays its role by extending charitable and beneficial social services. The Foundation has been promoting a dialogue between the Bank and its community for over nine years. Through its programs, the Foundation strives to preserve and promote cultural heritage and support artistic expression. It also provides funding for state-of-art research, as well as for innovative projects in the areas of education, social insertion and disability.
Objectives of Mercantile Bank Foundation
Mercantile Bank Foundation has been formed with the aim of achieving some objectives, which has been stated below:
1. To take possible initiatives in increasing social well-being and alleviating poverty from the country.
2. To support the education by establishing new educational institutions, providing stipends! scholarship to the poor and brilliant students.
3. To provide awards to the Scholars in eight significant arenas for their outstandingcontribution. These arenas are:
• Bengali Language and Literature
• Education and Culture
• Research on Liberation War
• Economy and Economic Research.
• Commerce and Industry
• Medicine, Science and Technology
• Journalism and
• Sports
4. To assist research activities on Bengali Literature through Bangla Academy.
5. To support the writers and publishers through purchasing their books and distributing these to different educational institutions on the occasion of national and historical days.
6. To assist the unemployed young to make them self-sufficient.
7. To assist the rootless and distressed orphans through taking appropriate steps for their mental perfection and self-support.
8. To support in establishing hospitals, clinics, etc. for the improvement of the health sector, to donate one time financial endowment to the poor artiste, literature-patron and fatal disease- affected poor patients, to support the poor father for arranging his daughter’s marriage, to help poor but bright students.
Financing of the Foundation
• The Bank contributes 1% of Operating Profit or BDT 4.00 million, which one is maximum..
• Grants and Donations from persons or Organizations of home and overseas.
4.4.6 Pubali Bank Limited
Pubali Bank Limited is very much committed to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Social responsibility is designed to respond for the greater interest of the society. The Bank believes that without awareness of social responsibility and keeping performance in accordance to the need no country can attain a sustainable development.
Since there is no hard and first formula to follow for expressing corporate social responsibility (CSR), each organization is characterized by its own circumstances and vision. Pubali Bank Limited shows its obligation for upliftment of backward part of socio-economic segments especially to assist the development of health sector. Pubali Bank takes part in real needs of the society. To promote the health sector is motto of the Bank. The Bank financially assists various Trusts/Organizations/Associations who are involved in providing charitable and voluntary sophisticated and specialized modern medical treatment to the down trodden general mass of the society.
It reflects from active participation for establishing Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital. The Bank munificently donated substantial amount for Construction of this Cancer Hospital.
The Bank also extends support to the development of the community through promotion of sports, culture, and educational program. The Bank ponders to develop human resources and generously nourish scholarship program to the brilliant children of employees of Pubali Bank Limited.
4.4.7 BRAC Bank Ltd
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of BRAC Bank:
Since the inception as a responsible corporate body BRAC Bank Ltd. has undertaken various initiatives considering the interest of customers, employees, shareholders, communities and environment. These initiatives go beyond the statutory obligation and mandatory compliances to voluntary activities that promote sustainable development. BRAC Bank’s vision focuses on double bottom line that it should make decisions based not only on profit but also based on social and environmental consequences is closely linked to the principles of CSR.
Contribution to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund
BRAC Bank as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has contributed BDT 2,500,000/- (taka twenty five lac only) to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the bereaved families of BDR incident.
BRAC Bank Short Stay Ward at ICDDR, B Dhaka Hospital
ICDDR, B’s Dhaka and Matlab hospitals provide free treatment to more 120,000 patients each year with a commitment to never turn away anyone arriving for treatment. With the support of BRAC Bank the short stay ward has now been renovated with full air conditioning, new washrooms, and hand-washing sinks, surrounding walls and upgraded floors and ceilings.
ICDDR,B being one of the busiest and well known cholera and diarrhea hospitals is serving patients from all walks of life specially the under privileged citizens. In this notion, BRAC Bank as part of its corporate social responsibility has contributed Tk. 5,000,000 with addition to its US$38,525 donated earlier, to facilitate ICDDR, B to treat its patients with better care.
3rd South-Asia Regional Conference on Autism
Autism is a life long neuro-development disorder in children, in which they have difficulty in relating to others, comprehending other people’s feelings and making sense of external activities. In Bangladesh, autism is thought to affect 1 child in every 500 and currently 4.4 million children worldwide are diagnosed with 3rd South-Asia Regional Conference on Autism. There is wide spread ignorance, prejudice and superstition among the illiterate poor. Children with autism may have profound level of intellectual function and the spectrum can range from mental retardation to very high conventional IQ’s. The only recovery of this disorder is earlier diagnosis the better will be the prognosis.
In this regard, ‘Society for the Welfare of Autistic Children’ (SWAG) organized the 3rd South-Asian Regional Conference on Autism. In support of this noble initiative, BRAC Bank contributed Tk. 2 million to successfully execute the conference. The main objective was to enhance the knowledge of parents, professionals, specialists and teachers, so that they can have a better understanding of autism and offer improved services to children with autism, raise awareness about autism in the society. The speakers and participants working with autism are invited from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Brunei, Sri Lanka, UK, USA, Finland etc. BRAC Bank with SWAG supported this praiseworthy initiative to raise awareness among the mass to alleviate the misconception on autism.
Sponsorship of Viqarunnisa Noon Debating Club
BRAC Bank sponsored the Viqarunnisa Noon Debating Club to organize their annual debating competition. This initiative would help the youth to develop their creative skills, being the future leaders to prepare themselves better to serve the society from the forefront.
Sponsored Women Entrepreneur Association of Bangladesh (WEAB)
BRAC Bank supported WEAB to initiate a relief program under which they helped building house for acid victims especially in cyclone SIDR hit areas namely Cox’s Bazar and Barisal. A cultural event was organized to raise fund for the charity.
Sponsoring DMP for Dhaka Traffic Control & Management
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commenced community police service in different parts of the city, with a view to involve the community in the criminal administration and traffic control system. In this regard BRAG Bank has supported Dhaka Metropolitan Police as part of its ongoing GSR activities. BRAG Bank has provided the DMP with road divider, traffic cones, police vests and umbrellas to assist them in serving our society for the betterment.
15th All Asian Inter-Varsity Debate Championship
BRAG Bank supported ‘15th All Asians Inter-varsity Debate Championship’ organized by North South University, where more than 500 participants, adjudicators and faculty members who hail from more than twenty Asian nations exhibited their debating talent; while supporting the whole initiative BRAC Bank exclusively organized ‘The Youth Development Night’ where debaters discussed about different ongoing global issues and crisis. BRAC Bank as part of its community development initiatives has stood beside different voluntary organizations and community clubs who undertake diverse initiatives to mitigate misery from the people affected by natural calamity or other social perils.
National Vitamin A plus Campaign
BRAC Bank has sponsored 1000 pieces of t-shirts for the volunteers of country wide Vitamin-A campaign. Each year government’s health ministry organizes this campaign where children of 0 to 5 years are given a drop of vitamin A, to prevent them from preventive diseases. To create more awareness against such diseases BRAC Bank lent its support in the campaign.
Junior Tennis initiative sponsored by BRAC Bank
BRAG Bank has supported Bangladesh Tennis Federation to initiate Junior Tennis Initiative (JTI) Program. Under this program, young school children would be provided with necessary training on tennis. This initiative is taken to create internationally acclaimed tennis stars from Bangladesh. This is also to create enthusiasm among the young school children about games
Donation made to save a Child’s life
BRAC Bank donated Tk. 10,000 to help ongoing treatment of a child name ‘Dorpon’, who electrocuted himself and burned half of his body.
Talent Hunt Program with Shilpakala Academy
BRAC Bank with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has supported Protibha Onneshon a talent hunt program where participants from different parts of Bangladesh show their talents in music, dance, poetry and other cultural arena.
4.4.8 Bank Asia Ltd
A summary of the CSR activities of the year 2008 of Bank Asia is presented below:
Education
An educated nation can build a civilized society. Recognizing the importance of education in nation and society building, Bank Asia has initiated an ambitious plan titled “Bank Asia Higher Studies Scholarship” to provide assistance to those students who have merit and dream in their eyes to serve the society, but not the means to pursue higher studies. Under the scheme, the Bank awards poor but meritorious students of rural areas where the Bank has its branches for their higher studies in core subjects, namely Engineering, Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Business, Economics, Management, Finance, Banking, etc. The scholarships are given basing on the SSC and HSC exam results and the duration of the scholarship is generally 4 to 5 years. But it may be extended depending on the course duration.
Under the program, students receive Tk. 2,000.00 per month. Besides, a lump sum grant of Tk. 10,000.00 is given annually to purchase books and for payment of tuition fees. This scheme was introduced in 2005 and till 2007 thirty students have received the scholarships who are studying in different premier educational institutions of the country. For the year 2008, a total of 50 (fifty) students have been awarded this scholarship and presently a grand total of 80 (eighty) students are enjoying benefit of this scheme.
Health Care
a) Free Ophthalmologic Operations
In the year 2005, Bank Asia started a program in collaboration with Bangladesh Eye Hospital (BEH) to help the handicapped and the underprivileged by providing necessary financial support for performing ophthalmologic operation of all born blind children of Bangladesh. The trained doctors of BEH conduct the operations in their modern hospital equipped with latest equipments and technology at Dhanmondi. So far, a total of 929 children have been operated.
b) Free Eye Camps
In addition to the ophthalmological operations, the Bank arranges free Eye Camps in the rural areas where free treatments including spectacles are provided to a large number of school going poor boys and girls and other people of the localities concerned.
c) Donations to Hospitals
The Bank has donated an amount of Tk. 2.00 million to Islamia Eye Hospital (IEH) for the construction of a children ward at the hospital premises. Furthermore, at our persuasion, the Muslim Commercial Bank of Pakistan donated an amount of Tk. 2.00 million to IEH for the same purpose. The Bank has donated an amount of Tk. 1 .5 million for purchasing of an ambulance for a hospital run by Bir Shreshta Matiur Rahman Foundation. Besides, we have financially supported Center for Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP), Savar and Thengamara Mohila Sobuj Shangha (TMSS) for their hospital at Bogra and also to Acid Survivors Foundation.
d) Blood Donation Camps
The Bank also arranges voluntary blood donation campaign on various national occasions where the officers of the Bank and general people participated spontaneously.
Information Technology
Computer literacy is essential to our growth and development and it needs to be spread to our rural areas. The Bank works with a philosophy to help poor students in rural areas by establishing and operating Computer Learning Centers (CLC) in different schools in providing a technological platform for students, which will help in their endeavors to a brighter future. We have taken this initiative to contribute to the promising IT sector of the country. Already 13 CLCs have been established in different rural schools and are in full operation. About 1,000 students have been enrolled so far in these CLCs out of which 900 students have already obtained certificates. Bank Asia is going to setup another 15 CLCs from where more than 3,000 students are expected to receive education in computer technology every year.
Agricultural Growth & Poverty Mitigation
Considering the importance of the rural economy in the economic development of the country, agricultural finance occupies a special position in the lending activities of the Bank. In order to provide support to the poor farmers of Bangladesh who play a crucial role in the development of the country, the Bank disburses agricultural loans mainly through its rural branches. Concurrently, credit lines are also extended to different NGOs to support our initiatives for agricultural development and alleviation of poverty in the rural areas.
Poverty alleviation is another area where the Bank has laid emphasis from the very beginning. To fulfill the purpose, the Bank has introduced schemes namely “Palli Shawnirvor” and “Kormoshangsthan Prokolpo” under which micro finance is channeled to the target groups through our rural branches. So far, the Bank has extended loans in these sectors amounting to Tk. 460.67 million up to September 30, 2008 through NGOs and rural branches. About 20,000
SME Activities
For generation of self employment and overall development of the country, the importance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) can hardly be over- emphasized. Bank Asia started its structured SME banking from June 2007. In this venture, the Bank has diversified its credit portfolio throughout the country within a short span of time by setting separate units for SME
and invested a considerable amount in this sector. The Bank has disbursed 1k. 155.80 million for SME financing and the program is being expanded rapidly.
Natural Calamities
As a responsible corporate citizen, Bank Asia believes that it is committed to the welfare of the community at large. Whenever there is any natural calamity, the Bank responds promptly to aid the affected humanity. In November 2007, the severe cyclonic storm SIDR had devastated a large part of south — eastern belt of the country and though within its limited resources, the Bank did its best to provide relief to the distressed people. The Bank donated 1k. 5.0 million each to the Chief Advisor’s Relief Fund and Army Chief’s Relief Fund for the SIDR affected people. Besides, the employees of the Bank donated their one-day salary to the relief fund of the Bank. The Bank distributed relief materials of 1k. 1.18 million from its relief fund among 500 victims at Shoronkhola (Bagherhat), the worst SIDR affected area of the country. We would like to declare our pledge that Bank Asia is always ready to stand by the poor disaster affected people of the country.
Dhaka City Beautification
Dhaka City Corporation has a project named ‘Beautification of Dhaka Metropolitan City” and Bank Asia has a spontaneous participation in this program. Under the project, the Bank has taken the responsibility of maintenance of 3.0 km long road island running between US Embassy at Natun Bazar, Kuril and Rail Gate, Bishaw Road, Khilkhet. The long island is planted and plastered with multi varieties of flower plants which has given the surrounding greenery, a cheering and attractive look with beneficial impact on the environment.
Different Social and Cultural Programs
As a responsible corporate citizen, Bank Asia regularly arranges and participates in different social and cultural programs like celebration of Pohela Boishakh, International Mother Language Day, Independence Day, Victory Day, etc. Besides, Bank Asia also arranges Ifter Party and Doa Mahfill during holy Ramadan at different branches. People from different social levels participate there.
Environment
Bank Asia has been one of the pioneers in supporting environment friendly CNG projects by financing CNG conversion and CNG filling stations. The Bank has decided not to finance any tobacco related business or any environmentally hazardous business. Besides, all the offices of Bank Asia are declared as smoking free zone.
Financial Support for Deceased Employee’s Family
It was a matter of great sorrow that Mr. Nurul Amin, a brilliant officer of the Bank and former manager of Tarail Branch expired on 12th February, 2009 while he was on duty. He left behind his wife, one son and a child yet to be born. His untimely death was a great tragedy to his near and dear ones. As part of its responsibility, the Bank has come forward to help the deceased’s family members and it was decided that they would receive financial assistance of Tk. 20,000.00 per month for a period of 20 (twenty) years.
4.4.9 Premier Bank Ltd
Being a key development partner of the economy, a bank cannot shy away from responsibilities for the society. The Premier Bank has always come forward to be glued with social responsibilities since the inception of the Bank in 1999. Be it education, charity, games & sports, environment, science, health care or talent development, the Banks social commitment was felt everywhere.
The charity contribution for the deprived parts of the society enshrines the Bank’s commitment for CSR. The Premier Bank Limited is very much keen and conscious about its corporate social commitment and it has been operating different types of charity, social welfare and benevolent activities during the last several years. In order to strengthen the bank’s involvement in social and philanthropic activities, a non profitable, non-political and non-governmental organization in the name of “The Premier Bank Foundation” has been set up and the Board of Directors has decided to contribute to the foundation out of its operating profit each year.
Social activities of Premier Bank were more diversified in the year 2008 as detailed in the list below:
• Donation of Taka 1.00 lac to Birshrestha Motiur Rahman Foundation in May, 2008.
• Sponsoring 03 national events of Bangladesh Basketball Federation for Taka 15.00 lac.
• Sponsoring National Vitamin A+ Campaign conducted by the Govt. of Bangladesh in May, 2008 with 1000 pieces of T-shirts for Taka 75.00 thousand.
• Donation of Taka 42.00 thousand to Kendrio Khelaghar Asar in August 2008.
• Sponsoring International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2008 for Taka 50.00 thousand.
• Sponsoring journalists of Daily New Nation and Daily Amardesh for 1.50 lac in connection with Trade Fair of Bangladeshi Products in Athens, Greece participated by Greek-Bangladeshi Commercial and Cultural Chamber.
• Sponsoring Fisheries Development Campaign-2008 organized by Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh for Taka 15.00 thousand in Sep 2008.
• Sponsoring Breast Feeding Week: 01 – 07 August 2008 conducted by Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation for Taka 25.00 thousand.
•Sponsoring Bangladesh Sports Writers’ Association for Taka 6.00 ac on the occasion of Annual Award Giving Ceremony of the organization in Nov 2008.
• Sponsoring Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association for Taka 50.00 thousand on occasion of 3rd National Conference of the organization in Nov 2008.
• Sponsoring Lalon Cultural Group for Taka 30.00 thousand.
4.4.10 Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd.
CSR is an integral part of our corporate culture and ethics. We respond positively in every sphere of social activities we are delivering innovative solution to our valued customer and in the same manner we are also helping different areas of social activity through our CSR activities. During the year 2008 we accomplished different humanitarian and social activities which include allocation of fund Tk. 40 lac for AIBL foundation to establish kidney dialysis center, donation of Tk 30 lakh to the Army Golf Club for the welfare of sports and culture of Bangladesh army federation, donation of Tk. 30 lakh to AIBL English Medium Madrasah, library and different hospitals and universities. Besides, we have taken a program to develop manpower and make them self employed as well as assisting them for employment in abroad.
4.5 Sector wise participation in CSR activities by the banks
Table 4.12 participation in CSR activities by the banks
Events
| Education
| Health Care
| Sports
| Cultural Programs | Environment
| Disaster Relief | Information Technology |
Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
National Bank Ltd.
| √ | √ | √ | √ | |||
Southeast Bank Ltd
| √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | |
Dhaka Bank Ltd
| √ | √ | √ | √ | |||
Mercantile Bank Ltd
| √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | |
Pubali Bank Ltd
| √ | √ | √ | √ | |||
BRAC Bank Ltd
| √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
Bank Asia Ltd
| √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | |
Premier Bank Ltd
| √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | |
Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
5.1Risk-Return analysis
Table 5.1 Value of Average Return, Standard Deviation, and Compliance Index
BANKS | Average Return
| Standard Deviation
| Compliance Index |
Bank Asia Ltd | 0.013559 | 0.088712
| .974 |
Dhaka Bank Ltd | 0.044362 | 0.097745
| .949 |
Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd
| 0.149053
| 0.294462
| 1.00 |
National Bank Ltd. | 0.048524
| 0.161549
| .923 |
Pubali Bank Ltd | 0.022563
| 0.173479
| .923 |
Southeast Bank Ltd | 0.050615
| 0.152259
| 1.00 |
Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd
| -0.05
| 0.320825
| .923 |
BRAC Bank Ltd
| 0.107737
| 0.131561
| .974 |
Mercantile Bank Ltd
| 0.028757
| 0.086165
| .923 |
Premier Bank Ltd
| -0.01486
| 0.058371
| .974 |
5.2Statistical Analysis
Table 5.2: Descriptive Statistics
N | Minimum | Maximum | Mean | Std. Deviation | |
Return | 10 | -.050000 | .149053 | .04003100 | .056690595 |
Stan deviation | 10 | .058371 | .320825 | .15651280 | .087947972 |
Index | 10 | .923 | 1.000 | .95630 | .032056 |
Valid N (list wise) | 10 |
Table 5.3: Correlation between return and index
Return | Index | ||
Return | Pearson Correlation | 1 | .297 |
Sig. (2-tailed) | . | .404 | |
N | 10 | 10 | |
Index | Pearson Correlation | .297 | 1 |
Sig. (2-tailed) | .404 | . | |
N | 10 | 10 |
Table 5.4: Correlation between index and Standard Deviation
Index | Standard deviation | ||
Index | Pearson Correlation | 1 | .357 |
Sig. (2-tailed) | . | .312 | |
N | 10 | 10 | |
Stdev | Pearson Correlation | .357 | 1 |
Sig. (2-tailed) | .312 | . | |
N | 10 | 10 |
5.3 Findings and Recommendation
Corporate Governance is based on several critical principles. They include an independent, active and engaged Board of Directors which has the skill to properly evaluate and oversee the business process, business and financial performance, internal control and compliance structure and direct management on strategic and policy issues. On the other hand, the Board has to ensure that the management headed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) fully discharge their day to day business and administrative responsibilities prescribed by the central bank and the Board itself and necessarily refrain themselves from micro management of the management affairs. The only guideline regarding Corporate Governance so far issued by Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) Notification No. SEC/CMRRCD/2006-158/Admin/02-08 dated 20th February, 2006 is currently being followed by Banks.
Among the banks which have been taken for analysis, Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd and Southeast Bank Ltd have complied with all categories that are required by the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC).
BRAC Bank Ltd, Bank Asia Ltd, and Premier Bank Ltd have complied with 38 categories among 39 categories. The Banks are lacking of Inclusion of Independent Director in the Audit Committee. So the Banks should include an Independent Director in the Audit Committee.
Dhaka Bank Ltd has complied with 37 categories among 39 categories. The Bank is lacking of Inclusion of Independent Director in the Audit Committee and Requirements to Attend Board Meetings by Chief Financial Officer (CFO).So Dhaka Bank should include an Independent Director in the Audit Committee and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) should attend in the Board Meetings.
National Bank Ltd, Mercantile Bank Ltd, Pubali Bank Ltd, and Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd have complied with 36 categories among 39 categories. The Banks are lacking of Inclusion of Independent Director in the Audit Committee, inclusion of Independent Director, and appointment of Independent Director in the Board. So the Banks should include an Independent Director in the Audit Committee and of Independent Director in the Board.
Table 5.2 represents descriptive statistic. From the table we observe that the minimum return is -.050000 and maximum return is.149053.The mean and standard deviation of the return is 0400310 and .056690595 consequently. The minimum value of the standard deviation is .058371 and maximum value of the standard deviation is .320825.The maximum and minimum value of the compliance index is .923 and 1.00 consequently. The mean of the compliance index is .95630 and standard deviation is .032056.
Table 5.3 represents Correlation between security return and compliance index. From the table we can see that positive Correlation exists between security return and compliance index. So we can conclude that the higher the compliance with SEC regulations the higher the security returns.
Table 5.3 represents Correlation between standard deviation of the security return and compliance index. . From the table we can see that positive Correlation exists between standard deviation of the security return and compliance index, which indicate the higher the compliance index the higher the risk. But the correlation between standard deviation of the security return and compliance index should be negative. This might occur because we have taken small sample size for analysis.
The basic driver of CSR consists of values that have taken place within businesses where they not only feel responsible for creation of wealth but also for social and environmental well being. The Banks should committed to being an equal opportunity employer, protecting the environment, and finally, serving the community of which we are a part. Banks should strive to achieve further development of balanced corporate performance in the economic, social and business in a manner that promotes sustainable development for both the Bank and the community ecological arena.
So from the above table we can see that among the banks only two banks, Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd, BRAC Bank Ltd and have participated in all CSR categories (Education, Health Care, Sports, Cultural Programs, Environment, Disaster Relief, and Information Technology). The Southeast Bank Ltd, Bank Asia Ltd, Premier Bank Ltd, and Mercantile Bank Ltd have participated in six CSR categories among seven categories. Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd has participated in five CSR categories among seven categories. Pubali Bank Ltd, National Bank Ltd and Dhaka Bank Ltd have participated in four CSR categories among seven categories. So these Banks should give more attention in CSR activities.
Conclusion
Banking sector remains of enormous importance for Bangladesh who is striving hard to strengthen its developing yet fragile economy. To move from the agriculture based economy to an industry-based one, Bangladesh needs its banking sector, which is the single largest element of the financial sector, to operate at its best with utmost efficiency. Anything short of that and even a slight instability in this area would wreck long term havoc on Bangladesh’s development. And sound corporate governance remains to be a key requirement for efficient and stable banking system. Uniqueness of banking companies and banking business require special corporate governance attention on a priority basis particularly for the developing countries where prudential regulation and supervision is inadequate to provide a safety net for the depositors and stakeholders of the banks.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices should be an integral part of corporate culture and ethics. By CSR practices an organization can improve communication with the community and other stakeholders, ensure accountability and transparency in its operation, improve internal decision making and cost saving, enhance corporate image, improve reputation and ability to enlarge market share and Enhancement of customer true worthiness, profitability and sustainable development.