Cenbank makes entry exams mandatory for private banks
The rules cover entry-level bank posts that do not require prior work experience, including management trainee, senior, probationary and junior officer positions.
Private banks will no longer be allowed to recruit officers and employees for entry-level positions without written and oral examinations, while verification of educational and professional certificates has been made mandatory after recruitment.
The Bangladesh Bank's Banking Regulation and Policy Department (BRPD) issued a circular today (7 September), introducing the measures to ensure merit-based and transparent recruitment and strengthen discipline and corporate governance in the banking sector.
The rules apply to entry-level posts where prior experience is not required, including management trainee officer, senior officer, probationary officer, trainee assistant officer, junior officer and cash officer.
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Recruitment notices for these positions must be published on the bank's website or a job website and in at least two national dailies.
Candidates must take objective or written examinations, either in person or online, followed by a mandatory viva. Recruitment must be based on examination results, merit and qualifications.
For higher positions requiring experience, banks must also follow a competitive recruitment process, including at least an oral examination.
Certificate verification made mandatory
Recruits must have their highest educational certificates verified by the relevant education board, university or institute within one year of joining. Certificates of existing employees must be verified by 31 March 2027.
Any professional or new educational certificate submitted for promotion or financial or non-financial benefits must be verified with the issuing institution and kept in the employee's personal file. The same requirement applies to contractual appointments, except for consultants and advisers.
Bankers joining a higher position from another bank or institution will not need fresh verification if their previous employer provides a certificate confirming verification. Their release letters must specify which certificates were verified.
Bangladesh Bank has ordered immediate strict administrative action if any educational certificate is found to be fake or forged during recruitment or employment.
HR policy to cover 18 areas
Each bank must formulate or update a comprehensive human resources management policy, with board approval, by 31 March next year.
The policy must cover 18 areas, including recruitment and promotion, leave, code of conduct, prevention of sexual harassment, whistleblower policy and conflict-of-interest management.
