Suspicious banking activities surge by 56% since July: Cenbank | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
May 29, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025
Suspicious banking activities surge by 56% since July: Cenbank

Banking

TBS Report
27 May, 2025, 02:40 pm
Last modified: 28 May, 2025, 12:12 am

Related News

  • IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
  • Dhaka, Beijing seek to resolve deadlock over dollar loan terms at JEC talks
  • Govt set to release Tk1,000, Tk50, Tk20 notes with new designs before Eid
  • Large depositors in troubled banks to be offered shares, bonds: Salehuddin
  • Probe report in BB reserve heist case 2 July 

Suspicious banking activities surge by 56% since July: Cenbank

$18-20b syphoned off country during AL regime, says Governor Mansur

TBS Report
27 May, 2025, 02:40 pm
Last modified: 28 May, 2025, 12:12 am
Graphics: TBS
Graphics: TBS

Highlights

  • Depositors need not worry about their money as govt to take over banks before merger
  • Bringing back laundered money to take three to five years
  • Business accounts frozen only based on credible complaint
  • Cenbank steps won't harm businesses in any way

Bangladesh's banking sector has witnessed a sharp 56% surge in suspicious transactions and activity reports between July and May of the current fiscal year 2024-25, compared to the total for the previous fiscal year.

The Bangladesh Bank shared the information today (28 May) at a press conference held in the capital to release the annual report of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU).

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

According to the BFIU, 27,130 suspicious transactions and activity reports were filed from July to May of FY25, compared to 17,345 during FY24.

"This could mean that suspicious transactions and activities rose after the Awami League government was toppled on 5 August last year in the face of a student-led mass uprising, following nationwide protests by students throughout July," states the report.

The BFIU also noted that suspicious reports in FY24 increased by 22.96% year-on-year.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur attended the briefing, which was presided over by BFIU Head AFM Shahinul Islam.

During FY24, BFIU shared 114 financial intelligence reports with various investigative agencies and exchanged 1,220 information requests, representing a 13.91% increase over the previous year.

BFIU Director Muhammad Anisur Rahman presented the key highlights of the annual report through a PowerPoint presentation during the session.

The report also states that due to strengthened efforts to curb money laundering and terrorist financing, Bangladesh improved its position by 13 spots in the Basel Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Index 2024, now ranking 59th globally – a sign of the country's progress in combating illicit financial flows.

At the press briefing, Mansur said the government will take over weak banks before any merger.

Answering questions from journalists, he assured depositors that they do not need to worry about their money as they will be part of a strong bank.

The governor urged depositors not to withdraw money as their deposits will be 100% safe, thanks to the legal takeover by the government.

'Efforts on to bring back smuggled money from abroad'

Commenting on the process of bringing smuggled money back to the country, the governor said, "We are attempting to repatriate assets seized abroad. Our objective is to prevent these funds from moving to other countries."

He added, "Our legal measures aim to ensure that their funds remain frozen within the relevant jurisdiction."

The governor explained, "Foreign courts verify whether the money was acquired through legitimate means. If they believe the funds were brought from Bangladesh through corruption and we can prove it, then they will order their return to our country."

Mansur further said, "We are currently working with an individual who has 30 years of experience and is a top-tier global expert. They will be with us for six months, joining us to meticulously review each case. They will also assist in finding solutions by collaborating with officials from relevant institutions."

He urged all to work together for the betterment of the country. "Our goal should be to work together. If foreign assistance or funds are needed for the country, they should certainly be accepted, but simply complaining serves no purpose."

'Legal actions won't hamper businesses'

Regarding the freezing of business accounts, the governor said, "Since 5 August, business accounts have only been frozen if there was a credible complaint. All accounts were frozen following court orders. We have predominantly frozen personal accounts."

He continued, "From the very beginning, we understood that freezing institutional and individual accounts would create confusion among the general public. Therefore, we made a policy decision that we do not wish to harm businesses in any way. Instead, we aim to take legal action while maintaining the normal flow of business."

'$18-20b smuggled during AL regime'

Mansur said some $18-20 billion (equivalent to Tk2,19,600 crore to Tk2,44,000 crore) was siphoned off of the country during the Awami League's period in power. 

Expressing surprise, he said one individual alone purchased 350 houses, and these funds were smuggled out through bank loans. "These incidents have been uncovered, and the amount of money involved is increasing day by day."

Stating that bringing back laundered money is a new experience for Bangladesh, the governor said, "Efforts are underway to reduce bureaucratic complexities to accelerate the process of repatriating laundered funds. For this, changes will be brought to the law. Joint investigations are ongoing with eleven groups."

Mansur further said, "It will take three to five years to bring back the laundered money. Already, one individual's assets abroad have been seized, and more assets will be seized in the future. 

"Our objective is to create pressure on money launderers so that funds can be recovered outside of court proceedings. Our aim is not to harass anyone by sending them to jail, nor is it to shut down anyone's business. We have not closed anyone's business. If someone's business has been shut down, it has happened for other reasons."

Economy / Top News

Bangladesh Bank (BB) / Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) / Annual Report / suspicious / Banking

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Infograph: TBS
    Businesses set for relief as interim govt eyes major tax & fine cuts
  • How termination of USDA-funded trade facilitation project will affect Bangladesh
    How termination of USDA-funded trade facilitation project will affect Bangladesh
  • File photo of Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo: Collected
    Visitors banned from entering Secretariat on Mondays and Thursdays

MOST VIEWED

  • Google Pay. Photo: Collected
    Google Pay likely coming to Bangladesh soon
  • IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
    IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
  • Dhaka areas at a gridlock on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    BNP, Jamaat rallies: Traffic clogs Dhaka roads, including Motijheel, Paltan, Dainik Bangla intersection
  • Abdul Awal Mintoo, chairman of National Bank Limited. Sketch: TBS
    'Regulatory support must for National Bank to restore depositors' confidence'
  • Mohammad Abdul Mannan, chairman FSIB Ltd. Sketch: TBS
    FSIB to bounce back soon
  • Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid, managing director and CEO, UCB. Sketch: TBS
    Customers’ trust and confidence fueling deposit growth at UCB

Related News

  • IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
  • Dhaka, Beijing seek to resolve deadlock over dollar loan terms at JEC talks
  • Govt set to release Tk1,000, Tk50, Tk20 notes with new designs before Eid
  • Large depositors in troubled banks to be offered shares, bonds: Salehuddin
  • Probe report in BB reserve heist case 2 July 

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

2d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

3d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

3d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

3d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

The fight between two brothers; Adidas vs Puma

The fight between two brothers; Adidas vs Puma

7h | Others
Trump is again keen to make Canada the 51st state

Trump is again keen to make Canada the 51st state

9h | Others
Trump's tariff strategy and Europe's investment politics, violence or negotiation?

Trump's tariff strategy and Europe's investment politics, violence or negotiation?

10h | Others
Rumours surrounding the Club World Cup: Which club will Ronaldo join?

Rumours surrounding the Club World Cup: Which club will Ronaldo join?

10h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net