Bangladesh Bank has discontinued the CAMELS rating system used to assess banks’ financial health and introduced a new Composite Risk Rating (CRR) framework effective from January 2026. The CRR system is part of the central bank’s Risk-Based Supervision structure and aims to evaluate banks’ overall risk and management capacity. The decision was confirmed by internal sources of Bangladesh Bank.

Previously, CAMELS ratings were based on six indicators—capital adequacy, asset quality, management, earnings, liquidity, and market sensitivity—and were kept confidential. Officials noted that the CAMELS system was backward-looking, relying on past financial data, and failed to detect emerging risks. The new CRR approach is forward-looking, assessing both current conditions and potential future vulnerabilities.

According to internal documents, the change was made to eliminate duplication and improve supervisory efficiency. Bangladesh Bank has reorganized its internal structure, forming 17 new supervision departments. The shift aligns with international practices in countries such as India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Singapore. Analysts believe the success of the CRR will depend on the central bank’s commitment to impartial enforcement.