Corporate
National Bank under provision deficit and intense financial crisis
Private Commercial National Bank has been suffering from severe financial crisis for two years. The bank is now planning to raise 100 million dollars or 1000 crores of funds from foreign sources through foreign bond issue to fulfill the regulatory capital requirements.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Bank is planning to appoint an administrator to the bank, which is facing a provision deficit and financial crisis.
According to the data of Bangladesh Bank, the bank’s capital deficit at the end of June this year stood at Tk 300 crore and due to high non-performing loans, the bank also faced a huge provision deficit of Tk 7,115 crore in June. Provisions are funds set aside by banks to compensate for future losses.
According to information published on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) website on Sunday, the board of directors of the bank has decided to issue seven-year bonds worth $100 million in foreign currency subject to the approval of regulatory authorities.
National Bank will be the first private bank to issue foreign currency bonds to raise funds from foreign investors.
Managing Director of the bank. Mehmood Husain, when contacted, said the fund had to be raised due to high non-performing loans eroding the bank’s capital.
Mehmood Husain said that they are trying to collect funds from US and UK-based investors. Foreign funds are not just banks; He commented that it will be good for the country.
The board of directors of the bank has approved the foreign currency bond as we have received preliminary assurances from the foreign investors after informing them about the high non-performing loans and the current financial situation, he said. The main reason behind the investment by foreign investors is that the bank’s asset base is quite strong.
He said that he wants to reorganize the bank’s business strategy by focusing on the SME sector to get out of the dependence on corporate loans.
As part of this, the bank plans to strengthen its capital by raising funds from domestic and foreign sources. Earlier in May, the bank announced to raise Tk 500 crore from domestic sources by issuing subordinated bonds to meet regulatory capital requirements.
National Bank’s capital adequacy ratio (CAR) for risk-weighted credit exposure stood at 9.38pc in June, which is required to be at least 10pc as per the regulatory body’s conditions.
According to Bangladesh Bank, the bank’s capital deficit at the end of June this year stood at Tk 300 crore. Increasing defaults due to huge loan non-conformities squeeze the bank’s capital.
The bank’s non-performing loan ratio stood at 23.24pc in June, the second highest among private sector banks. The bank also faced a huge provision deficit of Tk 7,115 crore in June as a result of high non-performing loans.
Provisions are funds set aside by banks to compensate for future losses. High NPLs require banks to maintain higher provisioning, which is collected from profits.
A growing provisioning deficit erodes banks’ capital which constricts banks’ ability to lend, putting public money at risk.
The bank posted a loss of Tk 190 crore in the first six months of this year under the pressure of growing provision deficit and capital loss.
Even after Bangladesh Bank appointed an observer to the board of directors of the bank in 2014, the financial condition of the National Bank has been deteriorating for the past two years. The bank’s share price on DSE has remained below the face value of Tk 10 for the last two years due to deteriorating financial indicators.
Bangladesh Bank identified the bank as one of the 10 weakest banks after new governor Abdur Rauf Talukder took charge. In a recent press conference, the governor said about identifying 10 weak banks, the central bank will sit with them one-on-one to improve the condition of the banks.
Banks are classified on the basis of their capital shortfall, NPL ratio, provisioning and loan-deposit ratio.
The governor has already held a meeting with the owners and top management on the financial performance of the National Bank. The central bank is now planning to appoint an administrator to the bank, a Bangladesh Bank source said.
Bangladesh Bank suspended the loan operations of the bank in May last year in the context of liquidity crisis caused by huge loan irregularities.
The moratorium was later lifted in December when liquidity conditions improved. But even after the long moratorium, the central bank was forced to go into moratorium again in May this year due to the continued irregularities in the bank loans. However, this time Bangladesh Bank limited the credit sector by giving a partial suspension.
Corporate
International Seminar at Peking University Explores the Contemporary Relevance of Edgar Snow’s Legacy
An international seminar titled “The Contemporary Value of Edgar Snow’s Spirit” was held at Peking University on Tuesday (July 8), bringing together scholars, journalists, researchers and young representatives from around the world to examine the enduring legacy of renowned American journalist Edgar Snow and his role in fostering greater understanding between China and the international community.
Jointly hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Peking University, and organized by the Xinhua Institute, the seminar marked the conclusion of a six-day research and study tour conducted from July 2 to 7, retracing Snow’s historic journey through Shaanxi Province and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
During the field program, participants followed the route taken by Edgar Snow during his landmark reporting in northern Shaanxi, gaining firsthand insight into the locations that inspired his influential book, Red Star Over China. Organizers said the journey offered international delegates a deeper understanding of China’s revolutionary history, development path and the values that continue to shape the country’s modernization.
The delegation visited several key revolutionary sites, including Yan’an and Zhidan County, where they toured museums, memorial halls and former headquarters associated with the Chinese Red Army. They also explored the former site of the Counter-Japanese Military and Political University, the Bao’an Revolution Site Memorial Museum, and memorials commemorating the Red Army’s arrival in northern Shaanxi. Guided tours and historical exhibitions highlighted the hardships, determination and ideals of China’s revolutionary period.
As part of the program, participants attended the themed sharing session “Retracing Snow’s Route,” where scholars and guests discussed the lasting influence of Edgar Snow’s reporting on global perceptions of China. Delegates also watched the immersive theatrical production “Thirteen Years in Yan’an,” which vividly portrayed the revolutionary era through contemporary storytelling.
The itinerary extended beyond revolutionary history to showcase China’s progress in ecological conservation and sustainable development. In Zhongwei and other locations in Ningxia, participants learned about environmental protection initiatives along the Yellow River, the achievements of the Three-North Shelter Forest Program, and China’s efforts to balance ecological preservation with economic growth. Organizers noted that these visits demonstrated how former revolutionary regions have evolved into examples of green development and rural revitalization.
The delegation also traveled to Tongxin County, visiting the Red Army Westward Expedition Memorial Hall and other significant historical sites. Participants joined the Red Tongxin Forum, where they exchanged views with scholars and local representatives on the historical significance of the Long March, Edgar Snow’s reporting and the importance of preserving revolutionary heritage for future generations.
Addressing the seminar, speakers emphasized that Edgar Snow’s commitment to truth, objective journalism and cross-cultural communication continues to inspire journalists, academics and young people worldwide. They noted that his work presented a more authentic picture of China to the international community and helped build a foundation for mutual understanding between China and other countries.
International delegates said retracing Snow’s historic journey allowed them to gain a deeper appreciation of China’s history, culture and development beyond what could be learned through books or media reports. They described the experience as an opportunity to engage directly with historical sites, scholars and local communities.
According to the organizers, the initiative aims to strengthen international exchanges by encouraging firsthand engagement with China’s history, culture and development. By retracing Edgar Snow’s footsteps and promoting dialogue among scholars, journalists and youth from different countries, the program seeks to carry forward the values of truth, friendship and mutual respect that defined Edgar Snow’s legacy.
The event brought together approximately 200 representatives, including members of the Edgar Snow Memorial Foundation, Snow’s family members, experts, scholars and Generation Z youth from China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Egypt, Armenia and several other countries.
The Rotary Club of Sonargaon Dhaka has elected its new Board of Directors for the Rotary Year 2026–2027. Prominent banker Mohammad Sahin Uddin has been elected as President of the Club.
The newly elected 17-member Board also includes Shahidul Alam as General Secretary and Abu Shaheen as Treasurer. The Board will lead the Club and oversee its activities for the next one year.
Mohammad Sahin Uddin is a distinguished banking professional with extensive experience in the financial sector. He is actively involved in several professional and social organizations and currently serves as an Executive Committee Member of the Bankers’ Club, the Accounting Alumni Association, University of Dhaka, the Bankers’ Welfare Association, and several other organizations.
Expressing his gratitude to the members for their confidence and support, Mohammad Sahin Uddin said that he is committed to upholding Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” by strengthening the Club’s humanitarian initiatives in the areas of education, healthcare, community development, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment. He emphasized that, with the active cooperation of all members, the Club will continue to make a meaningful and lasting impact on society.
The newly elected Board reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the Club’s proud legacy while expanding its community service initiatives and promoting the ideals and values of Rotary through impactful projects over the coming year.
Journalists and media professionals have participated in a six-day international media tour in China’s southern island province of Hainan, offering participants a first-hand look at the province’s rapid transformation into a global tourism destination, a high-standard free trade port, and a model of green and sustainable development.
The international media exchange program, titled “Why China: Walking in Lingshui,” was held from June 21 to 26 with the aim of introducing Hainan’s development achievements to a global audience through the perspectives of international journalists, editors, communication experts, and digital media creators.
Rather than focusing solely on Hainan’s picturesque beaches and tropical landscapes, the program highlighted the province’s progress in free-trade-port development, ecological conservation, cultural preservation, technological innovation, medical tourism, international education, and rural revitalisation.
The event was jointly hosted by the Hainan Provincial International Cultural Exchange Center and the People’s Government of Lingshui Li Autonomous County. It was jointly organised by the Hainan Branch of China News Service (Beijing) International Communication Group Co., Ltd., and the Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports Bureau of Lingshui Li Autonomous County.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, organisers noted that although many people around the world still associate Hainan primarily with beaches and tropical tourism, the island has become one of China’s most important platforms for high-level reform and opening up. They said the program was designed to allow international media representatives to witness these developments first-hand and share authentic stories about Hainan with audiences worldwide.
One of the highlights of the tour was Lingshui Li Autonomous County, located on the South China Sea coast. Widely regarded as one of Hainan’s fastest-growing coastal regions, Lingshui combines stunning natural scenery with rich ethnic heritage while emerging as a center for tourism, international education, digital technology, and the marine economy.
During the six-day program, participants visited a number of key destinations, including Boundary Island Scenic Area, Diaoluoshan National Forest Park, Haifeng International Film and Television Base, the Li’an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone, Hainan Ocean Paradise, Shuang Fanshi Marine Sports Center, the Former Site of the Qiongya Soviet Government, the Danjia Museum, Nanwan Monkey Island, Tropical Forest Expo Park, and Qiling Characteristic Village.
The delegation observed Lingshui’s pristine ecological environment, experienced the unique traditions of the Danjia fishing community, explored sites of revolutionary history, and learned about local initiatives in environmental conservation, rural revitalisation, international education, digital film and television production, coastal leisure tourism, and marine sports.
Many participating journalists said the visit had changed their perception of Hainan. They noted that beyond its reputation as a tourist destination, the province has developed into a dynamic center for free trade, technological innovation, education, healthcare, and ecological protection.
Several participants also commented that Hainan’s integrated approach—combining economic development with environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and innovation—could serve as a valuable reference for many developing countries.
The program brought together journalists, editors, communication specialists, overseas Chinese-language media representatives, and international bloggers from 12 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and South America, including Bangladesh.
For Bangladesh, the experience carries particular significance as bilateral cooperation with China continues to expand in trade, investment, tourism, education, healthcare, and people-to-people exchanges. Participants observed that Hainan’s Free Trade Port could offer new opportunities for Bangladeshi businesses, students, tourists, and investors in the years ahead.
Once known primarily for its tropical beaches, Hainan is now positioning itself as a global hub for innovation, education, healthcare, sustainable development, and international cooperation. Through initiatives such as the “Why China: Walking in Lingshui” media tour, the province hopes to strengthen international understanding of its development model while sharing the story of China’s high-quality opening-up with the world.
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