IMF wants to know BB’s strategic planning for risk management

The visiting delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday discussed with Bangladesh Bank (BB) on banking supervision update, strategic planning for the financial sector, and risk management issues, said officials with knowledge of the meeting.

Deputy Governors AKM Sajedur Rahman Khan, Abu Farah Md. Nasser and senior officials of the central bank joined the discussion.

The IMF team has recommended that the definition of non-performing loans be brought to international standards. If not, there will be questions regarding Bangladesh’s banking sector in the international arena.

Besides, IMF has also asked to publish the correct information on defaulted loans. As per IMF, the ratio of defaulted loans is much higher than the central bank data, said sources close to the discussion.

According to international standards, the default loan ratio is considered tolerable up to a maximum of 3 per cent. But in Bangladesh, this ratio is about 9 per cent. This ratio is more than 20 per cent in government banks.

IMF has raised several questions in this regard. The organization has also expressed concerns over suspicious transactions and money laundering.

Bangladesh Bank’s spokesperson GM Abul Kalam Azad said the central bank’s discussion on Monday was fruitful and discussions will continue till November 9, 2022.

Under three schemes — Extended Credit Facility, Rapid Financing Instrument, and Rapid Credit Facility — a total of $4.5 billion has been sought from the IMF. Bangladesh Bank is optimistic about getting the loans.

The IMF delegation arrived in Bangladesh on October 26 to discuss conditions for releasing $4.5 billion loans for budget support to the country. Bangladesh’s mission chief and senior economist of Washington-based international lender Rahul Anand led the IMF team in the discussion with Bangladesh.