BB decides to remove banking diploma requirement for bankers' promotion

The Bangladesh Bank is set to cancel the diploma degree requirements for bankers' promotions, sources familiar with the matter said.

The decision has been taken in response to a letter from the Institute of Bankers, Bangladesh (IBB) on the diploma requirement for promotions, sources said.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, who is also the president of IBB, gave his nod on cancelling the requirement at the latest governing council meeting of the bankers' institution, sources added.

The central bank made it mandatory for bank officials to obtain a banking diploma to be eligible for promotion to senior officer positions and above in February 2023.

To enhance the skills, competence and capability of bank officers, it is mandatory for them to pass both phases of banking diploma to be eligible for promotion to all posts beyond senior officer or equivalent, the central bank said at the time.

The requirement, however, was relaxed later in July of that year.

In a circular issued at the time, the central bank said senior or higher-ranked officers who were appointed or promoted prior to the introduction of the mandate of a banking diploma, will not need a banking diploma.

However, after receiving one promotion, a diploma will be necessary for any subsequent level of promotion.

Simultaneously, the central bank made it mandatory for officers not directly involved in banking activities to obtain a banking diploma in order to be eligible for promotions in any department related to general banking activities.