We want to be among the top 10 banks in next 4 years: Mercantile Bank MD | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • 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
    • Get the Paper
    • 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

Tuesday
July 22, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • 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
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2025
We want to be among the top 10 banks in next 4 years: Mercantile Bank MD

Corporates

Tonmoy Modak
02 June, 2025, 10:35 am
Last modified: 02 June, 2025, 02:43 pm

Related News

  • Mercantile Bank sees 8% profit drop in H1
  • Credence aims to provide cross-border trade-related data to prevent SMEs from fraud
  • Pharma industry grew with policy support, needs it again to survive: BAPI secretary general
  • Mercantile Bank to issue Tk800cr bond
  • 'People see government as the enemy': CA Yunus during interview with The Guardian

We want to be among the top 10 banks in next 4 years: Mercantile Bank MD

In an interview with The Business Standard’s Tonmoy Modak, Managing Director Mati ul Hasan discusses the bank’s journey and future plans

Tonmoy Modak
02 June, 2025, 10:35 am
Last modified: 02 June, 2025, 02:43 pm
Mati ul Hasan. Sketch: TBS
Mati ul Hasan. Sketch: TBS

On its 26th anniversary, Mercantile Bank is focusing on digital transformation in the new year. At the same time, the bank is prioritising the CMSME and agriculture sectors in its loan portfolio alongside corporate finance. The bank is also offering startup loans for the new generation. With a healthy liquidity position, it has even provided liquidity support to weaker banks. In an interview with The Business Standard's Tonmoy Modak, Managing Director Mati ul Hasan discusses the bank's journey and future plans.

The past year has been marked by political and economic instability in Bangladesh. How has Mercantile Bank fared during this period?

The first three to four months of the fiscal year were indeed unstable. The banking sector also suffered due to the financial crimes that occurred in the sector earlier. However, that bleeding has since stopped, and now even weaker banks are able to return customer deposits.

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

We remained unaffected by the crisis, partly because we avoided risky financing. Despite facing various pressures, we were able to keep the bank in a strong position. Currently, we have 152 branches, 47 sub-branches, and 188 agent banking outlets. Not a single one of them has faced a situation where a customer had to return empty-handed due to unavailability of their deposits.

Deposit growth in the banking sector is not very high at present. How has Mercantile Bank performed?

Our deposit growth is satisfactory. For the past few years, we have maintained a consistent growth trend. In 2024 as well, we achieved a growth rate above the sector's average. For 2025, we set a target to collect Tk4,000 crore in new deposits, and in the first five months alone, we've already secured nearly Tk2,000 crore.

Along with low deposit growth, we're seeing sluggish credit growth. How has Mercantile Bank performed, and which credit products are you focusing on?

When credit growth slows in the overall economy, it naturally impacts us too. Reduced imports and investment in capital machinery have contributed to the slowdown.

Mercantile Bank has been corporate-focused since its inception. Yet, with the goal of financially including marginalised groups and reviving the economy, we've also been actively supporting CMSME and agriculture sectors. 

Considering customer demand, we've launched tailored products like Chaka, Ononna (women entrepreneur loan), Samriddhi, Moushumi, Sonchalok, Unmesh, Udayan and Nabanno for agricultural loans. In 2024, our SME and agriculture lending rose by 121.5% and 22.5% respectively compared to 2023. In 2025, we've set a target for SME loans to make up 25% of total disbursement. Mercantile Bank achieved 102% of the agriculture loan budget set by Bangladesh Bank for FY2023–2024.

Non-performing loans (NPLs) have become a major concern. What is your strategy for reducing them?

According to the financial review of the 2024 annual report, the pressure of NPLs has increased. We are managing this by leveraging our long-term relationships across various sectors.

However, we face no capital shortfall, which strengthens our position going forward. Our Recovery Division – comprising the Special Assets & Management Department, Monitoring & Early Alert Department, and Central Law Department – is working to convert non-performing loans into performing ones.

Our senior management is leading continuous monitoring efforts. Where applicable, legal measures are being taken, and we are engaging with customers to recover debts through negotiation, rescheduling, and maintaining the quality of loans.

Digital transformation is sweeping the global banking industry. What is Mercantile Bank's approach?

In the future, we plan to introduce new and innovative digital banking products. We've already made significant investments in technology. To ensure uninterrupted IT service, we've developed a dedicated IT infrastructure at our own building, MBL Centre, in Dhanmondi.

Through our mobile app MBL-Rainbow, we're offering 16 services – comparable to what the top digital banks in Bangladesh provide. We aim to continue this drive so that people across all parts of Bangladesh can access banking services.

Beyond digital upgrades, are there any specific plans for the younger generation?

Yes, we offer startup loans to educated youth—with or without collateral. If someone approaches us with a new idea and we find it viable upon assessment, we provide loans. We already have several success stories. One such example is an app-based service for domestic helpers – now a successful business that started with our support. These successes inspire us to continue financing the younger generation.

Additionally, freelancers working for international clients can also approach us if they need financial support.

What are Mercantile Bank's future plans on its 26th anniversary?

Based on our 25 years of experience, our main goal is to place Mercantile Bank among the top 10 banks in Bangladesh within the next 4 years. We plan to create a strong framework of centralised and digitised banking services.

We'll also strengthen loan recovery efforts to reinforce our financial foundation and maintain asset quality. By aligning with global standards, we aim to build a skilled and smart workforce through state-of-the-art training.

To contribute to national economic development, we will continue to prioritise large, small, and medium industries, agriculture, foreign trade, infrastructure development, and women's empowerment.

Interviews

Mercantile bank / interview

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

  • Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Secretariat protest: 75 injured in police-protester clash over edu adviser's resignation for delaying HSC rescheduling
  • Army launches probe into rescue operation chaos following Milestone plane crash
    Army launches probe into rescue operation chaos following Milestone plane crash
  • Photo: Collected
    2 advisers, CA press secy leave Milestone School after 9-hour confinement amid protests

MOST VIEWED

  • Training aircraft crashes at the Diabari campus of Milestone College on 21 July 2025. Photo: Courtesy
    BAF jet crash at Milestone school: At least 20 including children, pilot dead; 171 hospitalised
  • Flight Lieutenant Md Towkir Islam. Photo: Collected
    Pilot tried to avoid disaster by steering crashing jet away from populated area: ISPR
  • An idle luxury: Built at a cost of Tk450 crore, this rest house near Parki Beach in Anwara upazila has stood unused for six months. Perched on the southern bank of the Karnaphuli, the facility now awaits a private lease as the Bridge Division seeks to put it to use. Photo: Md Minhaz Uddin
    Karnaphuli Tunnel’s service area holds tourism promises, but tall order ahead
  • Bangladesh declares one-day state mourning following plane crash on school campus
    Bangladesh declares one-day state mourning following plane crash on school campus
  • 91-day treasury bills rate falls 1.13 percentage points to 10.45% in a week
    91-day treasury bills rate falls 1.13 percentage points to 10.45% in a week
  • Air Force F-7 BJI training aircraft crashes at Milestone College in Uttara
    Air Force F-7 BJI training aircraft crashes at Milestone College in Uttara

Related News

  • Mercantile Bank sees 8% profit drop in H1
  • Credence aims to provide cross-border trade-related data to prevent SMEs from fraud
  • Pharma industry grew with policy support, needs it again to survive: BAPI secretary general
  • Mercantile Bank to issue Tk800cr bond
  • 'People see government as the enemy': CA Yunus during interview with The Guardian

Features

Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Milestone plane crash: Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help

5h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

21h | Panorama
Despite all the adversities, girls from the hill districts are consistently pushing the boundaries to earn repute and make the nation proud. Photos: TBS

Ghagra: Where dreams rise from dust for Bangladesh women's football

2d | Panorama
Photos: Collected

Water-resistant footwear: A splash of style in every step

2d | Brands

More Videos from TBS

Milestone Tragedy: Why the different views on the need for blood?

Milestone Tragedy: Why the different views on the need for blood?

15m | TBS Today
News of The Day, 22 JULY 2025

News of The Day, 22 JULY 2025

1h | TBS News of the day
US can avoid competition with China?

US can avoid competition with China?

1h | Others
Tariff deal: Dhaka to submit draft today, US yet to confirm meeting date

Tariff deal: Dhaka to submit draft today, US yet to confirm meeting date

2h | TBS Insight
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