BB Officers’ Welfare Council protests 'hasty' move to grant digital bank licence
The general secretary of the organisation alleged that the group reportedly being considered for the digital bank license has prior links with the current governor, who previously served as chairman of a bank associated with the same group.
The Bangladesh Bank Officers' Welfare Council has protested what it termed a hasty initiative to grant a controversial digital bank licence ahead of the formation of the newly elected government, demanding postponement of a board meeting scheduled for today (16 February).
At a press conference held at the central bank headquarters at 11:30am today, council leaders told that an emergency board meeting had been called with the objective of approving digital bank licences.
Golam Mostafa Srabon, general secretary of the Bangladesh Bank Officers' Welfare Council, said that following the 13th national election held on 12 February, the process of swearing-in of newly elected representatives and forming a new government is currently underway.
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"At this crucial juncture, the governor of Bangladesh Bank has called an emergency meeting of the board today to issue a digital bank licence. Granting such a licence on an urgent basis during a transitional period could raise questions about the transparency and neutrality of the central bank's operations," he said.
He further alleged that the group reportedly being considered for the digital bank license has prior links with the current governor, who previously served as chairman of a bank associated with the same group.
"It can reasonably be inferred that the initiative may have been taken to favour a former workplace or related group. There appears to be a direct conflict of interest," he added, reflecting the concerns of central bank officials.
The council also noted that at a time when parts of the country's banking sector are facing difficulties in safeguarding depositors' funds, the necessity of issuing a new digital bank license, particularly in favour of any specific group, requires deeper review.
Protesting the move to convene the board meeting for the purpose of granting the digital bank license, the council formally demanded that the governor postpone the scheduled meeting.
Additionally, the council called for the cancellation of appointments of all contracted advisers, consultants, and officials made without proper evaluation and transparent procedures.
