Street protests will not dictate banking decisions: BB spokesperson
The central bank says decisions will be taken based on legal and institutional considerations, not pressure or emotion
Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arief Hossain Khan today (1 June) said no decision regarding any bank will be determined through street protests or agitation.
Speaking to reporters in Dhaka, he said the central bank would take decisions based solely on what is legally valid and institutionally appropriate, remaining above any form of pressure or emotion.
"Any aggrieved individual has the right to stage demonstrations, express opinions or seek legal remedy over any issue. However, Bangladesh Bank will make decisions in accordance with rules and regulations, based on what is suitable for the institution and legally justified," he said.
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He made the remarks amid ongoing protests demanding the resignation of the newly appointed chairman of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC.
Meanwhile, a platform named "Sachetan Grahak Forum" today announced a five-point demand during a demonstration in front of the bank's head office in Dilkusha in the capital.
The protesting customers also warned of launching continuous programmes if their demands are not met.
Arief said it was inappropriate to identify any bank as belonging to a particular political party.
"If a bank seeks to establish itself under the identity of a specific political party or continues to grow with such an identity, it may pose a major threat to the bank's sustainability," he said.
He added that, in light of recent protests and developments, the central bank was reviewing whether some banks were turning into crises linked to specific political organisations.
According to the spokesperson, no bank can belong to any political party, and political branding poses an extreme risk to the existence and stability of financial institutions.
