Financial Highlights of IFIC Bank Ltd.

1.1 Background of the Study

The role of Business Administration is increasing day by day. Every organization is concerned about the competency of their executive. To execute the duty and responsibility in efficient way and to cope with the technological advances in industrial and commercial development in this fast growing global environment, the ability and capability of the executive must be enhanced. The purpose of this program is to prepare students in such a manner so as to enable them to meet any challenging situation and to work with competence in the competitive business environment. Bank is the core of the modern economy. Banking industry is moving faster and changing rapidly by offering new services continuously and consolidating into much large and complex business adopting new technologies that seem to change faster than most of us can comprehend and facing a new and changing set of rules to regulate and supervise the banks that serve their citizen.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

While preparing the report, I had a great opportunity to acquire a minimum knowledge of banking activities of IFIC Bank Limited. The objectives of the study are summarized in the following manner.

•   To provide an overview of the existing loan product and services offered by IFIC Bank’s credit division
•   To discuss the consumer credit policy of IFIC Bank.
•   To assess the performance on consumer credit scheme.
•   To make an overview of recovery of loan under consumer credit scheme.

1.3 Scope of the Study

As I am a student my scope was very much limited and restricted. I had maintained some official formality for the collection of data of my report.

This study basically focused on the loan and advance and consumer credit scheme of IFIC Bank Limited. IFIC Bank Ltd. is a large Bank and it facilities various products and services, this study covers prudential guidelines of loan disbursement and there performance on credit handling.

1.4 Methodology

The report is prepared on the basis of credit program of IFIC Bank Ltd. Different files; statements and manual have helped me preparing this report. The subject matter of this report is based on secondary sources of data and information.

•   Annual reports of IFIC Bank Ltd.
•   Periodicals published by Bangladesh Bank.
•   Various books, Training articles, compilations etc. regarding general banking functions and credit policies.
•   Monthly closing affairs of Kawran Bazar branch IFIC Bank Ltd.
•   Prospectus
•   Website of IFIC Bank Ltd.

1.5 Organization of the Study

Following the Introductory Chapter (Chapter-1) contains that background of the study, objectives, scope, limitation and an overview of the organization ( IFIC Bank ). Chapter-2 provided study about loans and advances, Small Enterprise Financing, Consumer Financing, About Credit Administration Department, Credit Policies & practices, Policy Objectives, Lending Guidelines, Data analysis & interpretations, Credit approval & recovery process. Chapter-3 contains that the performance analysis of consumer credit scheme such as Net Interest Margin, Provision for Loan Losses Ratio, Loan Ratio, and Interest Expense Ratio. Chapter-4 provided the study on SWOT Analysis, Findings, Recommendation for Improvement, and Conclusion.

1.6 Limitations of the Study

The main limitations of the study are as follows:

•   Learning all the banking functions within short time is tough.
•   Lack of experience to analyze data
•   One of the main barriers in written this report was Insufficiency of necessary information and data because this report is written based on secondary data..
•   IFIC Bank Ltd is not furnished with adequate written document related to this report as a first generation private bank in Bangladesh.
•   Time limitation is also a big factor, which hinders the data collection process. Due to time limitation many aspects could not by discussed in the present study

1.7 A Profile Overview of IFIC Bank Limited

International Finance Investment and Commerce Bank Limited (IFIC Bank) is a banking company incorporated in the people’s republic of Bangladesh with limited liability. It was set up at the instance of the Government in 1976 as a joint venture between the Government of Bangladesh and sponsors in the private sector with the objective of working as a finance company within the country and setting up joint venture banks/ financial institutions abroad. The Government held 49 percent shares and the rest 51 percent were held by the sponsors and general public. In 1983 when the Government allowed banks in the private sector, IFIC was converted into a commercial bank. The Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh now holds 32.75% of the share capital of the Bank. Leading industrialists of the country having vast experience in the field of trade and commerce own 34% of the share capital and the rest is held by the general public.

IFIC was established, at the instance of the Government, with primary objectives of carrying a banking business abroad through subsidiaries, affiliates and branches and investment and financial business in the country. During the mean time in May, 1979, IFIC secured permission of the Bangladesh Bank to function as a Merchant Bank in the country.

2.1 Loans and Advances

This is the survival unit of a bank because until and unless the success of this section is a question to every bank. If this section is not properly working, the bank it self may become bankrupt. This is important because this is the earning unit of the bank. Banks are accepting deposits from the depositors in condition of providing interest to them as well as safe keeping their deposits. Now the question may gradually arise how the bank will provide interest to the clients and the simple answer is advance.

To run operations and to earn profit thereby every bank advances and invests its deposited money and reserves equity and other available funds in various profitable sectors. The effectives and profitable policies concerning advancing and investment are needed increasingly without proper mobilization of deposits under the shadow of advances and investments, no bank can exists. In the area of investment and advancing IFIC Bank Limited stand among leaders of private commercial banks of the country.

Advances are the main revenue generating area for any bank. But a commercial bank cannot advances all of its deposits and Bangladesh Bank governs the rules that a maximum of 80 percent of total deposit can be advanced to the clients. The rest 20 percent of the total deposit has to be kept in the Bangladesh Bank as government policy. IFIC bank ltd has extended its advance facilities for the past years with the policy guidelines of Bangladesh Bank. In 2000 total advances was 1731.28 crores whereas the amount reached 3236.15 in the year 2009(appendix 1).

Advances of IFIC Bank (2005 to 2009)

In terms of time frame of duration all loan and advance that are provided by this bank can be categorized into there heads according to the nature and characteristics of each product:

2.2 SMALL ENTERPRISE FINANCING by IFIC Bank

Small enterprise means an entity, ideally not a Public Limited Company does not employ more than 60 persons (manufacturing concern) and 20 persons (trading concern) and 30 persons (service concern) and also fulfills the following criteria-

• A Service concern with total assets at cost excluding land and building from TK. 50000 to TK. 30 lac
• A Trading concern with total assets at cost excluding land and building from TK. 50000 to TK. 50 lac
• A Manufacturing concern with total assets at cost excluding land and building from TK. 50000 to TK. 1 Crore.

SMALL ENTERPRISE FINANCING by IFIC Bank

IFIC Bank has the following important products for Small Enterprise Financing (SEF):

• Easy Commercial loan
• Retailers loan
• Transport Loan
• Commercial house building loan
• Possession right loan
• Contractor’s loan
• Letter of guarantee
• Working capital loan
• Letter of credit
• Loan against imported merchandise (LIM)
• Loan against trust receipt(LTR)
• Bidder’s loan
• Project loan

2.3 CONSUMER FINANCING

The purpose of this section is to provide direct loan guidelines to the branches for providing consumer financing under consumer Finance Scheme. Guidelines under the prudential Regulation and Direction of Bangladesh bank have been formulated. These guidelines will assist the branches as to how the CCS loan port-folio should be managed. The committee studied existing products available in the market. Considering the market demand and investment opportunities in Consumer Financing Sector, the committee has formulated the following 7 (seven) products launched under Consumer Financing Scheme Easy loan (Secured Personal loan).

• Easy loan (Secured Personal loan)
• Consumer Durable loan
• ‘Parua’ (Education loan)
• ‘Thikana’ (House building loan)
• ‘Flexi’ loan (Personal loan)
• Peshajeebi loan (Loan for professional)
• Auto loan
• Festival Loan

2.4 Credit Administration Department (CAD)

The credit Administration function is critical n ensuring that proper documentation and approvals are in place prior to the disbursement of loan facilities. For this reason, it is essential that the functions of Credit Administration be strictly separated from relationship Management/ marketing in order to avoid the possibility of controls being compromised or issues not being highlighted at the appropriate level.

2.5 Credit Policies & Practices

Table-2 Credit policies & practices for Working Capital Loan:-

Table-3 Credit policies & practices for Contractor’s Loan:

Table-4 Credit policies & practices for Retailers Loan:-

Table-5 Credit policies & practices for Easy Loan ( Secured Personal Loan):-

Table-6 Credit policies & practices for Consumer Durable Loan:

Table-7 Credit policies & practices for THIKANA (House Building Loan:-

Table-8 Credit policies & practices for Auto Loan:-

2.6 Identification and Documentation of loan:

Working Capital Loan:

• One copy passport size photograph.
• Copy of valid trade license
• Personal net worth statement.
• Photograph and business card
• Bank Statement for last 6 months
• Any document showing TIN
• Letter of continuity.
• Letter of disclaimer
• Letter of guarantee.

Contractor’s Loan:

• One copy passport size photograph of proprietor/partner/managing director as well as guarantors.
• Valid trade license
• TIN certificate
• Bank statement for last sex months
• Financial statement
• Original possession right deed.
• CIB report of the borrower.
• Stock report.
• Up to date rent paid receipt of the shop.

Retailers Loans:

• One copy passport size photograph.
• Copy of valid trade license
• Personal net worth statement Letter of arrangement.
• Letter of disbursement
• Letter of installment
• Personal guarantee of guarantor.
• Personal guarantee of spouse/parents
• Memorandum of deposit of cheque.

Easy Loan (Secured Personal Loan):

• 2 copy passport size photographs from the intending borrower
• CIB report on the borrower
• Letter of arrangement
• Letter of disbursement (for loan)
• Letter of installment (for loan)
• Letter of continuity (for SOD limit)
• Letter of lien on security (ies)
• Letter of authority for encashment of security (ies)
• Letter of authority for collection of proceeds from issuing branch/ Bank.

Consumer Durable Loan:

• 2 copy passport size photographs from the intending borrower & guarantor
• Letter from employer with details of employment and salary (where required)
• Trade License (where required)
• Bank Statement (available)
• Personal Net Worth Statement
• Quotation of the items
• CIB report on the borrower

1. THIKANA (HouseBuilding Loan):

• 2 copy passport size photographs from the intending borrower & guarantor
• Letter of introduction from employer (where required)
• Bank Statement (for last 6 months)
• Personal Net Worth Statement
• Salary Certificate/ Trade License
• T.I. Number
• Original Deed
• Up to date rent receipt
• Site map/ Municipal tax receipt
• Non-Encumbrance Certificate
• Approval Plan from the competent authority
• Detail phase wise estimated cost of construction by a Civil Engineer/ purchase
• Letter of allotment in case of flat
• CIB report on the borrower
• Money receipt for payment of equity portion in case of flat purchase
• In case of flat purchase per sft. cost to be provided by the developer
• Construction will be made within the approved plan to be certified by Bank’s enlisted surveyor/ valuator

1. Auto Loan:

• 2 copy passport size photographs from the intending borrower & guarantor
• Letter of introduction from employer (where required)
• Bank Statement (for last 6 months)
• Personal Net Worth Statement
• Salary Certificate/ Trade License
• T.I. Number
• Registration of the vehicles in the name of the owner with HP clause as per Hire Purchase Agreement.
• Cost of insurance & proportionate registration fees to be deposited along with equity proportion at the time of application.
• CIB report on the borrower

2.7 Process Flow chart of Credit Processing

2.8 POLICY OBJECTIVES

1. Maximize Bank’s earning from loan portfolio.
2. Improve quality of loan portfolio to maximize earnings by:
3. To keep non-performing assets below 10%
4. Arresting new loans to become classified
5. Utmost emphasis on loan sanctioning is to be given in order to improve quality of the oan portfolio. Credit facilities are to be considered solely on viability of business/ enterprises/ project/ undertaking having adequate cash flows to adjust the loans, and management capacity of the borrower to run the business profitably.
6. Evaluate credit risks before sanctioning, which may hamper generation of the projected cash flows of the borrower and might delay or hinder repayment of Bank’s loan.
7. Monitor continuously performances of the financed projects/ business/ enterprises will be Bank’s main thrust for ensuring repayment of the loan, and receiving early warning (EL) for taking timely corrective measures.
8. Price the loans on the basis of loan pricing module of the Bank focusing on risk rating of the borrower.
9. Strict obedience to Bangladesh Bank’s policy guidelines.

2.9 LENDING GUIDELINES

Bank’s Credit Strategy will be invigorating loan processing steps including identifying, measuring, containing risks as well as maintaining a balance portfolio through minimizing loan concentration, encouraging loan diversification, expanding product range, streamlining security, insurance etc, as buffer against unexpected cash flow.

Considering the above few lending guidelines are elaborated below:

1. Single Borrower/ Group Limits/ Large Loan/ Syndication

The limit for single client/ group under one obligator concept will be as under:

1. The total credit facilities by a bank to any single person or enterprise or enterprise or organization of a group shall not at any point of time exceed 35% of the bank’s capital subject to the  condition that the maximum outstanding against fund based financing facilities (funded facilities) shall not exceed 15% of the total capital.
2. Non-funded credit facilities, e. g. letter of credit, guarantee etc. can be extended to a single large borrower. But under no circumstances, the total amount of the funded and non-funded credit facilities shall exceed 35% of bank’s total capital.
3. However, in case of export sector, single borrower limit shall be 50% of the bank’s total capital. But funded facilities in the form of export credit shall not exceed 15% of the total capital.

2. Large Loan

1. Loan sanctioned to any individual o enterprise or any organization of a group amounting to 10% or more of bank’s total capital shall be considered as large loan.

2. The bank shall be able to sanction large loans as per the following limits set against their respective classified loans:

2. In order to determine the above maximum ceiling for large loans, all non-funded credit facilities e.g. letter of credit, guarantee, etc., shall also be considered to arrive 50% credit equivalent. However, the entire amount of non-funded credit facilities shall be included while determining the total credit facilities provided to an individual or enterprise or an organization of a group.

4. A Public Limited Company, which has 50% or more pubic shareholdings, shall not be considered as an enterprise/ organization of any group.

5. In case of credit facilities provided against government guarantees, the aforementioned restrictions shall not apply.

6. In the cases of loans backed by cash and encashable securities (e.g. FDR), the actual lending facilities shall be determined by deducting the amount of such securities from the outstanding balance of the loans.

7. Banks shall collect the information on their borrowers from credit Information Bureau (CIB) of Bangladesh Bank before sanctioning, renewing or rescheduling loans to ensure that credit facilities are not provided to defaulters.

8. Banks shall perform Credit Risk Grading (CRG) before sanctioning or renewing large loans. If the rating of CRG turns to be “marginal”, a bank shall not sanction the large loan, but it can consider renewal of an existing large loan taking into account other favorable conditions and factors. However, if the result of CRG is unsatisfactory, neither sanction nor renewal of large loans shall be considered.

9. While sanctioning or renewing of large loan, a bank shall assess borrower’s overall debt repayment capacity taking into consideration the borrower’s liabilities with other banks and financial institutions.

10. A bank shall examine its borrower’s Cash Flow Statement, Audited Balance Sheet, Income Statement and other financial statement to make sure that the borrower has the ability to repay the loan.

3. Industry Wise Lending Capital

Concentration in a single industry is not prudent. Diversification is necessary for spreading risks and taking advantages of opportunities. Considering Bank’s existing concentration and future growth opportunities, Industry wise lending focus and lending caps are suggested as below to balance and optimize its credit portfolio:

Table: 10 Industry wise lending capital

4. Discouraged Business Type

In the context of present economic situation vis-à-vis Government Policy as well as market scenario, the following industries and lending activities are considered as discouraged:

• Military Equipment/ Weapon Finance
• Highly leveraged Transactions
• Finance of speculative business
• Logging, Mineral Extraction/ Mining or other activity that is ethically or environmentally sensitive.
• Lending to companies listed on CIB black list or known defaulters.
• Counter parties in countries subject to UN sanctions
• Share Lending
• Taking an equity stake in borrowers
• Lending to holding companies
• Bridge Loans relying on equity/ debt issuance as a source of repayment.

5. Loan Facility Parameters

 i.Size : Funded: Maximum 15% of Bank’s total capital

Funded+ Non-Funded:

•   Shall not exceed 35% of Bank’s total capital
•  Maximum 50% of Bank’s total capital for export sector. (Funded facility shall also not exceed 15% of Bank’s total capital).

ii. Tenor : Short Term: Maximum 12 months

Medium Term: Maximum 5 years

Long Term: Maximum 15 years

iii.Margin: To be determined by Banker Customer relationship and nature of

business.

iv.Security : Return of Bank’s funding to any business is ensured primarily on

the cash flow of the business. A smooth flow of cash in the business requires efficient management competence in conducting the business in a given market. However as the market never remains stable owing to various uncontrollable factors, the continuity of well managed business cash flow is difficult to visualize in the long run. As such to ensure realization of Bank’s finance in case of any eventually, other adequate security coverage deemed necessary with a view to protect interest of the Bank.

2.10 Credit Monitoring                                                                                                                  

To minimize credit losses, IFIC Bank Ltd continuously monitor the status of the loan and take required steps. Initially the following statements are prepared and submitted to concerned authority

• Overdue principal and interest (Monthly).
• Overdue trade bills (Monthly).
• Excess over limit/Excess over facility approved (Monthly)
• Collateral shortfall.
• Breach of loan covenants/terms and conditions/Documentations deficiencies (Fortnightly).
• Non-payment and late payment.
• Non-Receipt of Financial Statements in time (Annually).
• Objections of internal/external or regulator Inspection/Audit and advice corrective measures timely.
• Details of Early Alert Accounts and preparation of list of delinquent account and special mention account (SMA). (Monthly).
• Identification of early alert accounts, delinquent account and special mention account (SMA). (Monthly).
• Identification of the account, which shall be SMA status due to non-renewal. (Monthly).
• Listing of the accounts, which shall be SMA if not renewed with in 3 month and taking necessary measures. (Monthly).
• Ensuring renewal of limits 2 months ahead of expiry dates.
• Entering all credit facility amounts into MIS database

2.11 DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Specific Objective One

Objective

To find out the contribution level of CCS on overall performance of banks through identify the profit generate from CCS.

Data Collection

To meet the specified objective the percentage of profit generated from CCS for the year 2007, 2008 and 2009 are collected from 6 banks. (The interest income of IFIC Bank from different sources is shown in appendix 3)

Findings

The data findings are given in the tabular form below

Table: 11 % of Total Profit Generate from CCS

 So far the table is concerned; the demand of the loan is increasing for all banks except IFIC Bank Ltd in successive years. The total interest income generated from CCS is decreasing year by year. It is needed give concentration on consumer credit scheme as it is one of the most demandable sectors for banks now a day.

Figure 5: % of Total Profit Generate from CCS

Specific Objective Two

Objective

To determined the demand of CCS by analyzing the growth of disbursement amount of loan under CCS.

Data Collection

To analyze this specific objective data was collected through a survey. Under this survey amount of loan disburse under CCS for the year 2007, 2008 and 2009 are collected from 6 banks.

Findings

In the 3 year slab, we can interpret that yearly disbursement increasing except IFIC Bank Ltd. In terms of recovery against disbursement is different for each bank, and varies from 90%-98%.

Amount of disbursement under the scheme is one of the vital factors to judge the strong position in CCS program. So to find out the extent of a bank in the CCS program we should consider the amount of disbursement and rate of recovery of the selected banks for the last three year. From the following table we see that the amount of disbursement is increasing gradually that means contribution of Consumer Credit on overall performance of banking sector also is increasing gradually. But the position of IFIC Bank ltd is different here. The market growth is increasing but the IFIC experiences negative growth for CCS loan. As a result the interest income from CCS loan is decreasing as shown in specific objective one.

Figure 6: Amount of disbursement

Specific Objective Three

Objective

To observe, whether the loan outstanding and growth of loan outstanding keep phase with similar position competitor.

Data Collection

To analyze this specific objective loan outstanding data was collected from the annual report of IFIC Bank Ltd and National Bank Ltd from 2003 to 2007.

Table: 13 Total loans and growth of IFICBL & NBL

Figure 7: Total loans & advances of IFICBL & NBL

Figure 8: Growth of loans and advance

Findings

Both the bank here is analyzed are the first generation private bank in our country. Analyzing the above collected data it is seen that both the bank is in increasing position in case of loan disbursement. But the growth rate was so high for National Bank in 2004 than IFIC Bank. But in recent year it is observed that the growth rate of loan outstanding almost similar. So it can be said that IFIC Bank has recovered it loan growth position and running business with its nearby competitor.

2.12 CREDIT APPROVAL PROCESS

1. Proposal forwarded by RM (Branch Manager) to Head of Corporate & Marketing in duplicate. Head of Corporate will in turn recommend the proposal to the Head of Credit Risk Management.
2. HOC/ CRM Executives advise the decision as per delegated authority to RM (Branch Manager).
3. HOC supports & forwards to Deputy Managing Director.
4. Deputy Managing Director advises the decision as per delegated authority to HOC.
5. Deputy Managing Director support and forwards to Managing Director.
6. Managing Director advises the decision to Deputy Managing Director/ Head of Credit.
7. Managing Director presents the proposal to Board.
8. Board advises the decision to Managing Director.

Any declined credit may be re-presented to the next higher authority for reassessment/ approval through HOCB. However, there should be no appeal process beyond the Managing Director.

Delegated Approval Authority Levels:

CRM Executives                                                         Up to 1% Capital

HOC                                                                           Up to 3% Capital

Deputy Managing Director                                         Up to 7% Capital

Managing Director&   Board                                      Up to 10% Capital

Figure: 9 Credit approval process

Appeal Process

Any declined credit may be re-presented to the next higher authority for reassessment/ approval through HOCB. However, there should be no appeal process beyond the Managing Director

2.13 Credit Recovery Process 

The Recovery Division at Head Office would directly manage accounts with sustained deterioration (a risk Rating of Sub Standard (6) or worse). Accounts graded 4-5 shall be transferred to the Recovery Division for efficient exit based on recommendation of CRM and Corporate Banking. Whenever an account is handed over form Relationship Management to Recovery Division, a Handover/ Downgraded Checklist shall be completed.

The Recovery Division’s primary functions are:

• Determine Account Action Plan/recovery Strategy
• Pursue all options to maximize recovery, including placing customers into receivership or liquidation as appropriate.
• Ensure adequate and timely loan Loss provisions are made based on actual and expected losses.
• Regular review of grade 6 or worse accounts.

The management of problem loans (NPLs) shall be a dynamic process, and the associated strategy together with the adequacy of provisions must be regularly reviewed. A process shall be established to share the lessons learned from the experience of credit losses in order to update the lending guidelines.\

1. Net Interest Margin

Net Interest Margin measures the net return on the bank’s earning assets. Here net interest means interest income after interest paid on deposits and borrowings. The following table shows that the net interest margin is in increasing or almost stable position in last three years. The net interest margin ratio of others first generation private bank say National Bank Ltd it was 2.96% in 2007. It is little a bit short in comparison with other private banks in our country.

(TK In million)

Table: 14 Net Margin Ratio

2. Risk Ratio

Provision for Loan Losses

This ratio measures the proportion of total operating income that goes to pay for the investment loss. That means the percentage of provision for loan losses against total loan.  The ratio is showing decreasing trend this may happen because of recovery rate. The rate is high in recent years.

(TK In million)

Table: 15 Provision for loan losses ratio

3. Loan Ratio

The loan ratio indicates the extent to which assets are devoted to loan as opposed to other assets. From the following table it is easily observed that the loan ratio more or less similar in successive years. Bangladesh bank has already fixed up the lending caps in different sectors and identified sectors to which lending amount should grow and to which to maintain.

Loan Ratio = Total Loan /Total Assets

Table: 16 Loan Ratio

4. Interest Expense Ratio

Interest Expense Ratio reveals how much interest expenses needed for the bank compared to its TA. The lower the ratio indicates the better performance of the bank

Interest Expense Ratio =Interest Expense/Total Assets

       (TK In million)

Table: 17 Interest Expense Ratios

SWOT Analysis of IFIC Bank Limited

Every organization is composed of some internal strengths and weaknesses and has some external opportunities and threats in its whole life cycle. The following will briefly introduce the customers to The IFIC Bank’s internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats as I have explored that are:

•    “S”- Strengths
•   “W”-Weaknesses
•   “O”-Opportunities
•   “T”-Threats

Strengths

Stable source of fund

Strong Liquidity Position

Experienced Top management

Attractive deposits schemes

Agricultural sector of Bangladesh is getting support.

Satisfactory IT infrastructure and online banking

Weaknesses

•   Absence of modern technology.
•  Too narrow service line.
•   Asset infection rate is still high
•   Relatively high  overhead expense
•   Problem in Delivery
•   Lack of proper motivation, training and job rotation

Opportunities

•   Regulatory environment favoring
•   Private sector development
•   Credit card business
•   Expanded market.
•   SME and Agro based industry loan

Threats

Market and Govt. pressure for lowering the interest rate.

The growth rate of competitor banks is very high.

Business due to economic slump and war

Frequent currency devaluation

Emergence of Competitors

Bangladesh Bank exercises strict control over credit activities.

Problems regarding improvement of Credit management of IFIC Bank

The City Bank Limited has been performing very well. No doubt, this is the sign of good management. However, the credit appraisal and proposal system of The IFIC Bank is said to the best one in this kind certain factors are overlooked. 

•   Lack of documentation.
•   Lack of monitoring of credits.
•   Shortage of efficient manpower.
•   Lengthy lending process.
•   The product appraisal is done on the customer base not any comparison is done with other product.
•   In credit appraisal system, the competitive position analysis is not focused while doing the appraisal system.

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Recommendation regarding improvement of Credit management of IFIC Bank

IFIC Bank Limited is a large organization and banking is a complex and inclusive task. So it is difficult for me, having little knowledge, to suggest such an organization. But as a bystander of some problems I am just giving some suggestions. So for the improvement of the service the following measures could be taken:

• On a priority basis the technical problem faced by the branches everyday because of new online system could be solved. This problem can be solved by giving proper training to the employees.
• To run operation sound, the bank can bring all branches under online as soon as possible. Moreover already onlined branches still using traditional register book.
• IFIC Bank could diversify the product. It should try to introduce more attractive lending and savings scheme to its Premium customers to create more business for the Bank. The Bank can pay more attention to this segment of customers, as it is the most solvent group from which income can be generated if the package is designed properly.
• The loan processing complexity could be relaxed. The dependence on head office for loan processing could be lessened.
• The demand for CCS is increasing in our country, but the scenario is different for IFIC Bank Ltd. The loan amount under CCS is decreasing. So steps could be taken to improve CCS loan to run in the competitive field.
• Monitoring of a loan should be conducted at regular interval.

CONCLUSION

The core part of Bank management is Credit management. The existence of a bank depends on the credit management. Because if credit management fails to have a well-diversified loan portfolio than the bank may lose all its investments which are the savings of the depositors and owners’ equity. The Credit management does all sorts of the activities regarding the loans and advances.

The mission of IFIC Bank Ltd. is to provide service to its clients with the help of a skilled and dedicated workforce whose creative talents, innovative actions and competitive edge make its position unique in giving quality service to all institutions and individuals that they care for. But their workforce is not enough skilled to fulfill its mission. The other major drawback of IFIC Bank as the leading first generation private is inadequate technical support. Recently they has taken a new project with ‘MYSIS’ International Banking System Inc. (UK) to further upgrade its banking operation to state-of-art world class on-line banking solutions to provide faster and even more convenient centralized services to the clients. Introducing online banking among the branches allover the country is a good step for running business in a competitive environment.

To run banking operation sound in competitive environment along with the world wide economic recession more care ought to taken in loan sanction. The prescribed rules by Bangladesh Bank could be a good measure for granting credit to clients.