Brac Bank stresses stronger governance at annual risk conference

BRAC Bank's senior leadership has stressed the need for stronger governance, strict compliance, and proactive preparedness to tackle emerging risks in the coming years.

The call was made during the bank's Annual Risk Conference 2025.

Veteran bankers and risk specialists highlighted growing threats linked to money laundering and the expanding digital banking ecosystem, noting that financial institutions now face a rapidly evolving risk landscape. They underscored the need to reassess existing risk management practices and strengthen organisational resilience to future disruptions.

The Annual Risk Conference forms part of BRAC Bank's broader effort to enhance colleagues' understanding of risks in daily banking operations and to develop effective, forward-looking management strategies.

More than 1,000 colleagues, including branch managers, branch operations managers, and sub-branch in-charges, joined the hybrid conference—held in person and virtually—at the bank's head office in Dhaka on 29 November 2025.

Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BRAC Bank, inaugurated the event. Surabhi Ghosh, Additional Director at the Department of Off-Site Supervision (DOS), Bangladesh Bank, attended as the special guest.

Dr Zahid Hussain, Independent Director and member of the Board Risk Management Committee, delivered a presentation on 'Macroeconomic Outlook – LDC Graduation and Trade Tariff'. Independent Directors Anita Ghazi Rahman and Lila Rashid were also present.

A panel discussion titled 'Economic Forecasting & Bank's Readiness – A Roadmap for 2026' featured Meheriar M Hasan, Chairperson of BRAC Bank; Asif Khan, President of CFA Society Bangladesh and Chairman of EDGE AMC Limited; and Tareq Refat Ullah Khan. The session was moderated by Ahmed Rashid Joy, Deputy Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer.

Another panel discussion, 'Building a Data-driven, People-powered AML Framework', included Independent Directors Salek Ahmed Abul Masrur, Chairperson of the Board Risk Management Committee, and Chowdhury MAQ Sarwar, Chairperson of the Board Audit Committee, alongside Sheikh Mohammad Ashfaque, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Branch Distribution Network. The session was moderated by Chowdhury Moinul Islam, Deputy Managing Director and CAMLCO.

Mahmuda Haque, Joint Director at Bangladesh Bank's DOS, conducted a session on 'Strengthening Risk Management: Recent Initiatives of Bangladesh Bank'. Kazi Farook Kamal, Head of Credit (Retail, SME and Wealth Management) at Dubai Islamic Bank, presented on the 'Risk Landscape – Retail Lending'.

Kazi Farook Kamal stated: 'Risk culture and stress testing are critical to building organisational resilience. Ongoing stress testing helps identify vulnerabilities early, while a strong risk culture empowers employees to recognise and address emerging risks.'

Speaking at the conference, Surabhi Ghosh said: 'Risk is an inherent aspect of the banking sector. Bangladesh Bank is designing and implementing necessary policy changes and supervisory frameworks to manage it more effectively.'

Commenting on the event, Meheriar M Hasan said: 'Frontline staff face a wide range of risks every day. This conference helps strengthen their capabilities so they can apply sharper insights in their work.'

Salek Ahmed Abul Masrur added: 'As a values-driven bank, we prioritise good governance and strong risk management. With ongoing training and Bangladesh Bank's guidance, we aim to set a benchmark for responsible banking.'