Rupali Bank issues clarification over forced loan pile-up
According to a TBS report, the bank’s forced loans stood at $1.87 billion in 2025. However, the bank says the actual amount during that period was significantly lower, at $0.154 billion.
Rupali Bank has issued a statement in response to a report titled "Rupali Bank's forced loans hit $1.87b as financial health red flags mount", published by The Business Standard on 22 April.
According to the TBS report based on a Bangladesh Bank inspection conducted by its Bank Supervision Department, Rupali Bank's forced loans stood at $1.87 billion in 2025.
However, Rupali Bank says the actual amount during that period was significantly lower, at $0.154 billion.
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In its statement, the bank also addressed another finding of the report, which stated that overdue bills of entry amounted to $2.20 billion.
The bank stated that about 99.83% of these overdue bills are associated with government entities, including Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and other public sector bodies such as Bangladesh Power Development Board, DG Health, and Directorate General Defence Purchase (DGDP).
Rupali Bank explained that in the case of oil imports by BPC, fluctuations in Platt's Price can cause some bills to appear partially overdue at the time of customs assessment, and both Bangladesh Bank and customs authorities are aware of the issue.
The state-owned bank further said multiple meetings have been held among Bangladesh Bank, customs authorities, and the concerned banks, and that the matter is currently in the process of being resolved.
