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DAHKA:Twenty-two of Bangladesh’s 61 banks are operating with cumulative losses totaling Tk 2.54 lakh crore, according to a report submitted by Bangladesh Bank to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Finance.
The report, presented to the committee on Sunday, showed that the banking sector recorded an operating profit of Tk 789 crore as of March 2026. However, the sector posted a net loss of Tk 8,417 crore.
Four of the loss-making banks are state-owned commercial banks—Janata Bank, Agrani Bank, Rupali Bank and BASIC Bank. Bangladesh has six state-owned commercial banks in total.
Two specialised banks—Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB)—are also operating at a loss. National Bank of Pakistan is the only foreign bank on the list.
The remaining 15 loss-making banks are privately owned: AB Bank, Bangladesh Commerce Bank, EXIM Bank, First Security Islami Bank, ICB Islamic Bank, IFIC Bank, Islami Bank Bangladesh, Meghna Bank, National Bank, Global Islami Bank, Padma Bank, Shimanto Bank, Social Islami Bank, The Premier Bank and Union Bank.
Bangladesh Bank told the parliamentary committee that high levels of classified loans, particularly defaulted loans, along with provisioning requirements, capital shortages and weak asset quality are negatively affecting banks’ earning capacity. As a result, many banks are reporting net losses after adjustments.
Defaulted loans in the banking sector have also risen sharply. Bangladesh Bank informed the committee that defaulted loans stood at Tk 6.07 lakh crore as of June 30, accounting for nearly 33% of total outstanding loans.
Tk 85,000 Crore in Liquidity Support
Bangladesh Bank also informed the committee that 15 banks had failed to maintain the minimum required capital as of March. By September 27, 12 banks had received around Tk 85,000 crore in liquidity support from the central bank.
According to Bangladesh Bank, First Security Islami Bank received Tk 15,810 crore, Social Islami Bank Tk 10,843 crore, EXIM Bank Tk 12,010 crore, National Bank Tk 10,568 crore, Union Bank Tk 5,421 crore, Global Islami Bank Tk 3,004 crore, AB Bank Tk 4,270 crore, Bangladesh Commerce Bank Tk 615 crore, ICB Islamic Bank Tk 252 crore, Padma Bank Tk 252 crore, Premier Bank Tk 4,900 crore and Islami Bank Bangladesh Tk 17,000 crore in emergency liquidity support.
The report did not specify the period over which the liquidity support was provided.
According to sources, National Citizen Party lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah presented a reform proposal aimed at preventing defaulted loans on a long-term basis. Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Saiful Alam also submitted a written proposal on behalf of his party for banking-sector reforms.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told the meeting that the government has a responsibility to remain accountable to the parliamentary committee and would not conceal information.
He also said many people seek positions as bank directors or chairmen, but there should be no scope for politicising the economy.
After the meeting, Saiful Alam told journalists that the number of banks should be reduced, arguing that a country as small as Bangladesh does not need so many banks.
The meeting was chaired by committee chairman Mushfiqur Rahman. Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni and committee members Jalal Uddin, Moinul Islam Khan, Shafiqul Rahman and Syed Zainul Abedin also attended.
