Bangladesh Bank has not recovered Tk 68,250 crore lent to 12 commercial banks, according to central bank sources. The loans, issued by printing money during the previous Awami League government and the subsequent interim administration, were meant to be repaid within three months but remain unpaid after more than a year. The funds were extended under the tenures of former governors Abdur Rouf Talukder and Ahsan H. Mansur. The banks include First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, Bangladesh Commerce Bank, ICB Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, National Bank, Padma Bank, AB Bank, BASIC Bank, and Premier Bank.
Industry observers said the banks became financially weak due to large-scale irregularities and mismanagement, particularly under groups such as S. Alam. Despite repeated liquidity support, the sector shows little improvement. Former chief economist Mustafa K. Mujeri described the assistance as a temporary relief that fails to address structural problems like default loans and corruption.
Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan stated that the central bank was compelled to provide liquidity support to prevent depositor panic but acknowledged that such measures cannot continue indefinitely. The new governor is expected to decide on the next steps for the troubled banks.