National Bank postpones board meeting, citing unavoidable circumstances
The stock exchanges published both disclosures separately today (26 April)
The National Bank has postponed its board of directors meeting, citing unavoidable circumstances, for the year 2025 and also for the first quarter of the current year.
Both meetings of the private sector lender were scheduled for 25 April to consider, among other matters, the audited financial statements for the year ended December 2025 and the first-quarter financial statements for the January–March 2026 period.
The stock exchanges published both disclosures separately today (26 April).
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Due to unavoidable circumstances, the board meeting of the bank, scheduled to be held on 25 April as per listing regulations, to consider, among others, the audited financial statements for 2025 and the first quarter period ended on 31 March, has been postponed. The new date and time of the meeting will be notified later, read the disclosures.
According to a previous report published by TBS in February, National Bank has faced longstanding governance and liquidity challenges.
For much of the previous Awami League government's tenure, the bank's board was dominated by the then-influential Sikder Group. Following the death of chairman Zainul Haque Sikder, internal disputes among his heirs destabilised the bank.
In December 2023, the board was dissolved, and independent director Syed Farhat Anwar was appointed as chairman. During his tenure, discussions began to merge the National Bank with United Commercial Bank (UCB), though the plan was later abandoned by the Bangladesh Bank.
In May 2024, a new board was appointed, transferring control to the Chittagong-based S Alam Group, whose representatives managed the bank through multiple affiliated companies.
Following the political changeover, the S Alam representatives stepped down, and Abdul Awal Mintoo, former vice-chairman of BNP and now environment minister, returned as chairman. On 1 March, 2026, the bank informed that the board of directors had elected Professor Dr. Melita Mehjabeen as the Chairman of the Board.
