General Banking of Agrani Bank Ltd

Executive Summary

This report is prepared on the basis of my three-month practical experience at Agrani Bank Limited, at Narayanganj Branch. This internship program helps me to learn more about the practical situation of a financial institution. Banking system of Bangladesh has gone through three phases of development-Nationalization, Privatization, and Lastly Financial Sector Reform. Agrani Bank Limited is a state-owned commercial bank of Bangladesh established in 1972. The whole working process of Agrani Bank Limited¸ Narayanganj Branch is divided into 3 sections- (i) General Banking Section, (ii) Accounts Section, and (iii) Foreign Exchange Section. This report has been presented based on my practical observation and experience gathered from the Branch and the focus is given on the General Banking Section.

The whole report is divided into three parts-Introductory parts, Learning part and concluding part. The first chapter is the introduction chapter of this report. The learning part shows General Banking activities of Agrani Bank Limited. The third and last chapter contains problems of Agrani Bank Limited, recommendations and conclusion.

History of Banking:

Agrani Bank Limited, a leading commercial bank with 892 outlets strategically located in almost all the commercial areas throughout Bangladesh, overseas Exchange Houses and hundreds of overseas Correspondents, came into being as a Public Limited Company on May 17, 2007 with a view to take over the business, assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of the Agrani Bank which emerged as a nationalized commercial bank in 1972 immediately after the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent state. Agrani Bank Limited started functioning as a going concern basis through a Vendors Agreement signed between the ministry of finance, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on behalf of the former Agrani Bank and the Board of Directors of Agrani Bank Limited on November 15, 2007 with retrospective effect from 01 July, 2007.Bangladesh inherited its banking structure from the British regime and had 49 banks and other financial institutions before the Partition of India in 1947. The Dhaka Bank established in 1806 was the first commercial bank in the Bangladesh region of British India. Bengal Bank, the first British-Patronized modern bank established in India in 1784, had opened its two branches in 1873 in Sirajganj and Chittagong of Bangladesh region. Later in 1862, the Bengal Bank Purchased the Dhaka Bank and opened its first branch in Dhaka in the same year by reconstituting and merging the Dhaka Bank. Thereafter, another branch of Bengal Bank was opened in Chandpur in 1900. A number of other branches of Bengal Bank were opened in this region and some branches had been closed in Course of time. There were six other  branches of Bengal Bank in operation in the territory of Bangladesh until the Partition of British-India in 1947 and  these branches were at Chittagong   (1906), Mymensing (1922), Rangpur  (1923), Chandpur  (1924), and Narayanganj  (1926).

Following the emergence of Pakistan in 1947, Stat Bank of Pakistan, the Central Bank of the country, came into being in July 1948. Later, the National bank of Pakistan, a strong commercial bank was set up in 1949. In all, 36 scheduled commercial banks were in operation in the whole Pakistan until 1971. Pakistanis owned most of these banks and only three of them namely, National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank Ltd. and the Australasia Bank Ltd, had one branch of each in East Pakistan in 1949. During 1950-58, there other Pakistani-owned banks, Premier Bank Ltd., Bank of Bahawalpur Ltd. and Muslim Commercial Bank, had opened their branch in East Pakistan. Four Pakistan-owned banks, the United Bank Ltd., Union Bank Ltd., Standard Bank Ltd. and the commerce Bank Ltd. Conducted banking business in the Province during 1959-1965.But all of them Had their headquarters in west Pakistan. East Pakistan had only two banks Owned by local business groups white headquarters in Dhaka. These were the Eastern Mercantile Bank Ltd.  (Presently Pubali Bank Ltd.) And Eastern Banking Corporation Ltd.  (Presently UttaraBank Ltd.) Established in 1959 and 1965 respectively.

In the beginning of 1971, there were 1130 branches of 12 banks in operation in East Pakistan. The foundation of independent banking system in Bangladesh was laid through the establishment of the Bangladesh Bank in 1972 by the Presidential Order No. 127of 1972 (which took effect on 16^th December, 1971). Through the Order, the eastern branch of thformer State Bank of Pakistan at Dhaka was renamed as the Bangladesh Bank as a full-fledged office of the central bank of Bangladesh and the entire undertaking of the State Bank of Pakistan in, and in relation to Bangladesh has been delivered to the Bank.

Bangladesh Bank has been entrusted whit all of the traditional central banking functions including the sole responsibilities of issuing currency, Keeping the reserves, formulating and managing the monetary and credit policy, regulating the banking system, stabilizing domestic and external monetary value, preserving the par value of Bangladesh Taka, fostering economic growth and development and the development of the country’s market.

The Bangladesh Banks (Nationalization) Order enacted in 1972 nationalized all banks except foreign ones. Six nationalized banks were formed through merging the existing banks of the period.

The rate of growth and development of banking sector in the country was extremely slow until 1983 when the government allowed to establish private banks and started.

Denationalization process: initially, the Narayanganj Bank in the same year and thereafter, the Pubali Bank, and the Rupali Bank in 1986. Growth pattern of banks during the period 1973-1983.

History of Private Banks in Bangladesh: 

There were no domestic private commercial banks in Bangladesh until 1982; When the Arab-Bangladesh Bank Ltd. commenced private commercial banking in the country. Five more commercial banks came up in 1983 and initiated a moderate growth in banking financial institutions. Despite slow growth in number of individual banks, there had been a relatively higher growth of branches of nationalized commercial banks (NCBs) during 1973-83. There number had increased from 1512 in 1973-74 to4603 in 1982-83.

Financial sector reforms to strengthen the regulatory and supervisory framework for banks made headway in 2006 although at a slower than expected pace. Overall health of the banking system showed improvement since 2002 as the gross Non-performing Loans (NPL) declined from 28 percent to 14 percent while net NPL (less Provision) reduced to 8 percent from 21 percent. This led significant improvement in the profitability ratios. Although the Private Commercial Banks (PCB) NPL ratio registered a record low of 6 percent, the four Nationalized Commercial Banks (NCB) position are still weak and showed very high NPL at 25 percent. The NCBs have large capital shortfalls with a risk-weighted capital asset ratio of just 0.5 percent (June 2006) as against the required 9percent. For the PCBs risk-weighted capital asset ratio stood at 10 percent. Bangladesh Bank issued a good number of prudential guidelines during the year 2006 and the first quarter of 2007 which among others relate to:

• Rationalization of prudential norms for loan classification and provisioning,
• Policy for rescheduling of loans,
• Designing and enforcing an “integrated credit risk grading manual”,
• Credit rating of the banks, and
• Revisions to the make-up of Tier-2 capital.

Besides, recent decision of the Government to corporative the remaining three NCBs along with the initiative to sale the Rupali Bank are bound to usher in changes in the banking sector competitiveness aspect. Bangladesh Bank has also taken up the task of implementing the Basel II capital accord. Further, the recent enactment of the Micro-credit Regulatory Authority Act (MRAA) for the regulation of the Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) has been a major development in the year 2006. Since 1998 CAMEL rating of banks gradually improved and in 2006 Bangladesh Bank updated this rating model by incorporating the market risk and the new Model is known as CAMELS.

Modern banks play an important part in promoting economic development of a country. Banks provide necessary funds for executing various programs underway in the process of economic development. They collect savings of large masses of people scattered throughout the country, which in the absence of banks would have remained idle and unproductive. These scattered amounts are collected, pooled together and made available to commerce and industry for meeting the requirements. Economy of Bangladesh is in the group of world’s most underdeveloped economics. One of the reasons may be its underdeveloped banking system. Government as well as different international organizations have also identified that underdeveloped banking system causes some obstacles to the process of economic development. So they have highly recommended for reforming financial sector. Since, 1990, Bangladesh government has taken a lot of financial sector reform measurements for  making financial sector as well as banking sector more transparent formulation and implementation Of these reform activities has also been participated by different international organization like World Bank, IMF etc.

Current Structure of Banks in Bangladesh:

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has been working as the central bank since the country’s independence. Its prime jobs include issuing of currency, maintaining foreign exchange reserve and providing transaction facilities of all public monetary matters. BB is also responsible for planning the government’s monetary policy and implementing it thereby.

The BB has a governing body comprising of nine members with the Governor as its chief. Apart from the head office in Dhaka, it has nine more branches, of which two in Dhaka and one each in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Bogra, Sylhet, Rangpur and Barisal.

Banking Sector 2011:

The banking sector especially the private sector banks made significant progress and growth in terms of significant market share of deposits and advances through improved customer service, introduction of new products and switching over to online banking keeping pace with the globalization process. The 30 banks in the private sector posted a 24% in operating profits in 2009 over the previous year.

Bangladesh Bank has been playing an important role for bringing out discipline and dynamism in the banking sector of the country. Due to stringent supervision and control exercised by the central bank, there had been a continuous progress in the reduction of percentage of classified loans in the banking sector with the recovery of default loans.

 Background of Study:

Practical knowledge is fundamental for the application of theoretical intelligence. Bearing this in mind, internship program was being included in the BBA curriculum. The goal of this analysis is to expose the student in the organizational work situation and also to provide an opportunity for applying classroom learning in practice. There are some differences between Theories and practices. Internship program is a system by which we can familiarize ourselves with the practical situation through the application of theoretical knowledge into real life, the gap between these two can be bridged up through this internship procedure.

Objective of the study:

In this report, I tried to furnish all sorts of practical dealings that are conducted in case of handling various types of activities in General Banking department, the theoretical aspects, that is what should be the procedures and requirements maintained from first to last, and actual practices as well as the ultimate gain for the bank in conducting financial activities are mainly discussed. So the purpose and objective of this report can be summarized as follows:

Primary Objectives:

• To analysis the overall picture of the operation of ABL.
• To portray the General Banking operations conducted by Agrani Bank Limited (ABL).
• To analyze the related factors of export-import business and bank’s performance by fulfilling the following objectives including Import-Export procedure.

Secondary Objectives:

• To assess overall dealings of the ABL Bank
• To know how the risk reducing system in general banking
• To examine bank’s performance
• To examine foreign remittance of the selected Bank
• To identify problems regarding transaction
• To suggest probable measures in order to solve the identified problems

Importance of the study:

The report titled General banking of Agrani Bank Ltd. prepared to fulfill   the requirement of the internship program of the BBA degree in School of Business, United International University. The Banks provide different types of product and services to its counter parts like, general Banking services or finance or investing that results transaction of currency. To do this, they also need capital, assets and other resources. These elements of business results, changes in their capital, assets and other factors which effects directly in the bank’s performance. This report will be helpful to understand the performance of the Agrani Bank Limited, compare to some other local Banks and as well their strengths and weaknesses. As a result we can easily rank the Banks position which will give us the idea of Banks capabilities.

Methodology of the Study:

The report is a combination of primary and secondary data analysis along with financial analysis. To accomplish the report both primary and secondary data are necessary. Primary data is collected though meetings, surveys and secondary data are collected through annual report, books, articles, journals, brochures, website etc.

Area of the study:

The proposed study has been focused on the management of Investment of the Agrani Bank Limited. In relation with the primary and secondary objectives, the Narayanganj Branch of the Agrani Bank Limited has been selected to perform our internship program.

Primary Data:

• The primary data of this report are:
• Direct interview of principal officer of the bank
• Direct question to the officers of general banking division
• Practical experiences gained during performing duties in different   desks and department of the general banking branch office of Agrani Bank Limited

Secondary Data:

• I collected secondary data from the following sources:
• Annual report of Agrani Bank Limited
• Printed forms and documentation supplied by ABL
• Booklets of international division of Agrani Bank Limited
• Different Publications and Journals regarding banking activities and           policies
• Auditors report of Agrani Bank Limited
• Various past documents of general banking of FSIBL
• Website of Agrani Bank Limited ( www.agranibank.org/)

Data Processing and Analyzing:

After collecting both the primary and secondary it process through various ways. Data has been computerized & processed by using MS Word, MS Excel. For the purpose of analyzing the data we have presented in tabular form, percentage form with necessary chart and graphs. After computerized processing, the data are analysis for making the report.

Determination of Time Horizon:

The time horizon has been selected of four years from 2006 to 2009. Over the four year time period, the related data of the ABL has been analyses.

Limitations of the Study:

As I have completed my internship in Agrani Bank Limited, Narayanganj Branch, I have enjoyed a very well decorated environment and comfortable place. The officers are very co-operative but they are too busy to give me time to get knowledge about practical activities. Moreover they have to deal in a very competitive environment based on money related activities. Any mistake from me may hamper their performance and goodwill in the banking sector, for these reasons I deprive of having practical knowledge. Short time duration and lack of practical knowledge are the main limitations of the study.

Every project has some limitations. I faced some usual constraints during the coursed of my internship. The experienced problems that have, to some extent, affected the presentation of the report are presented below:

Business of The Administration – Since the representatives of the ABL are very busy, in some case I could not communicate with them properly.

Fears to Disclosure – The administration also feared to disclose the confidential data related to the party and various forms and documents.

Lack of Experience – Experience makes a man efficient.  I am not experienced enough to complete the study because I am a person of new hand on such study. That is why inexperience creates obstacles to follow the systemic approach and logical research methodology.

Lack of personnel – Lack of personnel in the foreign exchange division of the branch. So they always busy about their own work. And it is very difficult to take information from them as they busy enough.

• Banks officials, for security reasons, declined the request for providing information in some crucial issues. As some of the fields of banking are still not covered by our courses, there was difficulty in understanding some activities.
• Another limitation of this report is Bank’s policy of not disclosing some data and information for confidential reason, which could be very much useful.

Background of the Bank:

Agrani Bank (Bengali: অগ্রণী ব্যাংক) is a state-owned commercial bank of Bangladesh established in 1972. Its headquarter is situated at Motijheel in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. It started functioning as nationalized commercial bank taking over assets and liabilities of the erstwhile Habib Bank ltd and commerce Bank ltd. function in the East Pakistan. It has been privatized on 15th November 2007 and emerged as Agrani Bank Limited (ABL) taking over assets, liability and goodwill of Agrani Bank. The authorized capital of the Bank is Tk. 800 crore.

Agrani Bank Limited, a leading commercial bank with 867 outlets strategically located in almost all the commercial areas throughout Bangladesh, overseas Exchange Houses and hundreds of overseas Correspondents, came into being as a Public Limited Company on May 17, 2007 with a view to take over the business, assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of the Agrani Bank which emerged as a nationalized commercial bank in 1972 immediately after the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent state. Agrani Bank Limited started functioning as a going concern basis through a Vendors Agreement signed between the ministry of finance, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on behalf of the former Agrani Bank and the Board of Directors of Agrani Bank Limited on November 15, 2007 with retrospective effect from 01 July, 2007.

Agrani Bank Limited is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 13(thirteen) members headed by a chairman. The Bank is headed by the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer; Managing Director is assisted by Deputy Managing Directors and General Managers. The bank has 10 Circle offices, 30 Divisions in head office, 53 zonal offices and 868 branches including 27 corporate and 40 AD( authorized dealer) branches.

 Objective of Agrani Bank Ltd:

• To facilitate and handle all kinds of commercial banking services to its customer authorized by Bangladesh Bank
• To handle the export and import trade of Bangladesh
• To take part in international banking etc

The Bank renders commercial banking services to all types of customers. The range of services offered by the Bank includes- accepting deposit, making loans and advances, discounting bills, conducting domestic and international money transfers, carrying out foreign

Exchange transactions in addition to international money transfers, and offering other customer services such as safe keeping, collections and issuing guarantees, acceptances and letters of credit. Core business of the Bank includes- deposit mobilization and lending activities comprising short- term, long- term, import and export financing. Financing activities are extended to different sectors of the economy that could be grouped in to several sectors including Rural & agriculture, Garments & Textiles, Jute, Cement & Bricks, Tannery, Steel & Engineering, Food & Beverage, Chemical & Pharmaceuticals, Printing & Packing, Glass & Ceramics and Miscellaneous.

 Mission of ABL:

• Provide excellent quality customer services
• Provide expert workers and professionalism
• Maintenance of business ethics
• Become trusted: repository (place where things are stored) of customer’s money and their financial advisor
• Sound capital base
• ABL mission is to provide Banking services to their valued clientele with utmost proficiency and sincerity reinforced by an efficient workforce and the latest state of technology.

 Vision of ABL:

By assuring satisfaction to the customers, through a proper training of its most selected group of employees, it plans to pursue its mission. Also it plans to accomplish its mission through the constant innovation of its product line and establishing constant network with prospective corporate client.

Milestone of ABL:

Type: Public Limited Company

Industry:Banking
Financial services

Founded: March 26, 1972

Headquarters: Dilkusha commercial area, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Area served: Bangladesh

Key people: Dr. Khondoker Bazlul Hoque{Chairman)

Products:Financeandinsurance
ConsumerBanking
CorporateBanking
InvestmentBanking
Investment Management

Net income: Tk 264.6 crore (US$ 38.35 million) 2008^[1]

Employees: 13,269

Website :http://www.agranibank.org

Deposits

Savings Bank Account (SBA) – Savings Bank Account can be opened in any branch of Agrani Bank by any Bangladeshi citizen in the name of an individual or a group of individuals which can be operated singly or jointly:

Requirements for opening a Savings Bank Account

Fixed deposit- Fixed Deposit Account

Opening a Fixed Deposit Account for different terms with any Branch of Agrani Bank is very simple. Any individual or a group of individuals can step in to any Branch of Agrani Bank, fills out a prescribed form, hand out over the counter cash or easily cashable instrument of any amount and leave the Branch with a Fixed Deposit Receipt

Loan Scheme

Term Loan – The Bank takes collateral against giving any Term Loan to a firm. Bank prefer short- term loan (like- current assets, accounts receivable and inventory) which can be transferred in to cash much sooner than fixes assets.

Loan (General) – Bank does not take any collateral. For a specific purpose this short period loans are taken. Only a note is used by the Bank which is signed by the borrower where states the conditions and length of taking this loan including interest rate.

Secured Overdraft (SOD) – In it, Bank takes security of customer’s FDR or balance in DPS/ SDPS/ MDS/ SDS/ EDS A/Cs are marked as lien.

Transport Loan – To buy any type of transport, the borrower apply for this loan. Here, the collateral is only that transport which the borrower will buy by this Transport Loan.

House Building Loan – For giving this house loan the Banks takes collateral of that house’s land and building.

Payment against Document (PAD) – Suppose customer’s documents are alright but importer is willing to retire the documents – In this case, Bank is obligated to pay price of exported goods. Since importer did not pay for bill of exchange, this payment by bank is one kind of credit to the importer and this credit in banking is known as PAD.

Loan against Imported Merchandise (LIM) – Everything is O.K. but importer fails to clear goods from the port and request bank to clear – In this case, Banks clear the goods and takes delivery like same, by paying customs duty and sales tax etc. So, this expenditure is debited to the importer’s account and in banking it is called LIM.

Loan against Trust Receipts (LTR) – Advance (Loan) against a Trust Receipt obtained from the Customers, which are allowed only to the first class tested parties. When the documents are covering an import shipment or other goods pledged to the Bank as security are given without payment. However, for such advances prior permission/sanction from Head Office must be obtained. The customer holds the goods or their sale-proceeds in trust for the Bank, till such time, the loan allowed against the Trust Receipts is fully paid off.

Consumer Finance Scheme – There are branches and finance centers under this division which have qualitative workforce of employees. Some of the services provided by this division are unsecured personal loans, credit cards, and vehicle related lease etc.

Hire-Purchase Scheme – As Bank make their own investment in Government securities (like- Government treasury bills, prize bonds, Bangladesh Bank bills, special treasury bonds & reverse repo) and in other investment which sometime borrower wants to hire as a loan from the Bank. That is why this loan is known as hire of Bank’s purchase scheme.

Services

ATM Banking – Agrani Bank Ltd. has implemented successfully Automated Teller Machine (ATM) /DEBIT card transaction from June 25, 2008. Through Automated Teller Machine (ATM) /Debit card, customer can avail the facilities like withdrawal money, balance inquiry and purchase goods from Point of sale (POS) using Dutch Bangla Bank Ltd. ATM Booth and POS.

SMS Banking – Agrani Bank Ltd. has officially launched SMS banking service from December 17, 2007.

Lockers – For safekeeping of customer’s valuables like important documents and goods like jewelries and gold ornaments, ABL Locker Service is available in most of the Branches in urban areas. Their nature of service is like custody of locker/ safe and nature of charge is like rent.

Education Remittance – Students who are desirous (wishing or wanting) to study abroad for them this Bank is giving education remittance service. In this service, this Bank assures their remittance of funds in abroad for study.

Credit management:

ABL has already adopted the Credit risk management Guidelines issued by the Bangladesh Bank for improving the risk management culture, establishing minimum standards for segregation of duties and responsibilities, and promoting the ongoing process for improvement of the Banking Sector in Bangladesh in the context of globalization. This puts in place a robust process for proactive management of loan portfolios in order to minimize

Loss and enhance return to shareholders. The Bank has introduced credit policy guidelines for CRM

Human Resources Division:

In ABL has a separate Human Resources Division (HRD) to manage the employee policies and practices. In 2007 total human resources strength of ABL was 13,209. Bank follows a standardized human resources policy. The Bank has defined HR policies including recruitment, training & development, promotion, leave, transfer, and disciplinary action policy. Usually internal recruitment procedures are considered to fill up the mid and top management positions, while entry-level positions are filled with regularly through competitive recruitment exams. The Bank established fully equipped training centre.

To assess Bank’s corporate governance practices CRAB evaluates the quality of financial reporting and disclosures, strength of internal control system and internal audit function; induction of professionally competent, independent non-executive directors on corporate Board, formation of audit committee; delegation of power to executives and staff; protection of shareholder rights etc. FSIBL has addressed most of the issues of corporate governance for strengthening organizational strength. But the Bank has not yet appointed independent director which is required by SEC

Introduction:

In Bangladesh Bank; there is a very large room, which contains fifty (50) or more tables for each Bank which known as the Clearing House. Clearing is a system by which a Bank can collect customers fund from one Bank to another through the Clearing House. It’s a place, where the representatives of different banks get together to receive and deliver cheque with one another. Normally, Bangladesh Bank performs the Clearing House in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna and Bogura. Where there is no branch of Bangladesh Bank, Sonali bank arranges this function. Here, only the regular customers, i.e. who have- Savings A/C, Current A/C, STD & Loan A/C can deposit cheuqes for collection of fund through the Clearing House. Natures of clearing house are: (i) 1^st clearing house and (ii) return clearing house. In clearing, there are two types of cheque comes for clearing, they are: outward and inward cheques. Return house means the 2^nd house where the representative of the Bank meets after 3 p.m. to receive and deliver dishonored cheque, which was placed in to the 1^st clearing house.

Clearing process in ABL:

Like other banks, ABL also has a representative in Bangladesh Bank, where they work as like delivering the cheque to those banks from which ABL do expect to collect money on behalf of their customer and receiving the cheque which ABL customers have drawn for other bank’s customer. Both receiving and delivering of cheques are done within the local clearing zone. After the above process, about the cheques which are honored and dishonored at first that information comes to the Zonal Office of ABL and then the Head office inform to different branches about their particular clearing cheques. The customers whose cheques are honored, their money will be transferred in to their account. But the cheques which are dishonored those cheque’s customer will get informed by the Bank. So, they can take necessary step to make it honored by consulting with the drawn Bank’s customer.

Clearing Department:

This department has three main jobs:

• Outward cheque clearing

• Inward cheque clearing

• Attending house

 Outward cheque clearing:

Outward cheques are those cheques which come from another bank to the name of ABL’S account holder. To collect money for the ordered person, the cheque of different Bank comes, which is known as Outward Cheque Clearing. As the account holder wants to claim the cheque’s amount through its Bank. The whole procedure of claiming is done by the Clearing House of Bangladesh Bank.

 (a) Procedure for Receiving & Recording:

Clearing officer check all the cheques and deposit slip very carefully before receiving from its customer. Then the Bank at first gives 3 important seal- Crossing, Clearing & Endorsement. Then these cheques go for entry in to the computer software and in Registry Book. When both work of entry in computer and in registry book are done a posted seal is given on the cheque by authorized initial.

 (b) Descriptions of the Three Important Seals Are:

(i) Crossing

(ii) Clearing

In Clearing, the next banking day’s date are indicated with month, as the cheque will at first go to Bangladesh Bank’s Clearing House and then after passing at their the amount will get by the account holder. The above process takes at least two days after getting any outward cheque. In clearing seal the next day’s of banking is given to show that when those outward cheque will go for clearing to the Bangladesh Bank. So that customer could understand that when they will be going to get their claimed money in to their account. For example, suppose today is 16 of June and next banking day is 17 of June, so the seal is like:

17 June ’11

CLEARING

(iii) Endorsement

Here, three different types of endorse seal are being used by the Bank depending on the face of the outward cheque. Same thing is not always written on the ‘PAY TO’ part of the cheque. (c) How to Maintain Outward Registry Book

Here, the total information of a cheque need to give- by a serial number: name of the bank, name of the branch, cheque number, depositor’s name, account number and at last the amount need to be written. Also at the day end, the total amounts in figure need to mention with the amount in words. All these are done to keep record that to the Bangladesh Bank’s Clearing House which cheques have gone for clearance and on which date. As on top of every page in registry book clearing dates are mentioned

 (d) Transactions, Which Are Done in Terms of Outward Cheque’s Clearing

After receiving any outward cheque the debit and credit procedure is done like: when the cheque go for entry in to the computer then the transaction will be as follows:

As the money has not yet came to the customer’s account that is why customer account will be debited with a title of sundry asset. This sundry asset is look like a fund from where Bank takes the cheques amount until the real cash comes to that customer account and the cheque’s deposit slip will be credited as bank will keep the deposit slip to them by sending the cheques to the Clearing House.

After getting honored from Bangladesh Bank’s Clearing House, the transaction will be as follows:

As now the real cash comes to those customer’s account that is why sundry asset will be credited by debiting IBTA (Inter Branch Transaction Account). This IBTA will be debited because the honored cheque information at first comes to the Head Office for which customer’s claimed money also comes to them, as then they keep those money in IBTA from where every branch of ABL takes and keep it on their owns customer account.

If any outward cheques are dishonored then the transaction will be as follows:

As the Bank does not get their customer’s claimed money that is why customer account will be debited and as clearing house is returning the cheque that is why clearing house adjustment will be credited.

 (e) Procedure of Sending the Outward Cheques:

The posted cheque’s print out is made, which is known as Top Sheets, where it shows that from each and every bank how many cheques have been received by ABL’s Narayanganj

Branch. These top sheets are stapled with each bank’s cheque. For example, suppose from EBL (Eastern Bank Limited) 3 cheques have been received by ABL’s Narayanganj Branch. So on the top sheet that 3 different cheque’s amount with their cheques number will be indicated and as a whole also will be indicated with total number of cheque, as like these way, for every bank’s cheque a top sheet has been made. Then it will be send to the Zonal Office. It is done, so that Zonal Office may find out easily the whole information of outward cheques from their every branch of ABL

 (f) Precaution in Terms of Receiving Any Outward Cheque from the Customer:

• Name of the account holder need to be same on the cheque and on the deposit slip
• Amount on the cheque and on the deposit slip need to be same in word and in figure.
• Date on the cheque may be current or before (but not more than 6 months back) clearing house date.
• Bank and Branch name of the cheque need to be written on the deposit slip with cheque number/ with warrant number.
• Cheque must be signed.
• Account number on the deposit slip need to be clear
• Depositor’s signature on the deposit slip

(g) Responsibilities of Clearing Officer for outward cheque clearing:

• Must be checked whether on the outward cheque crossing seal has been given with clearing seal and with proper endorsement seal
• Computer posting of the cheques
• Examine with the computer’s posting that the total number and total amount of outward cheque matches with the registry book.
• Separation of cheque from the deposit slip.
• Posted cheque’s print out
• Copy of computer’s posted cheque in to the floppy disk.

 (h) Cost of Clearing:

The collection cost normally varies with the distance and ABL does not charge for the collection within the Dhaka City or within the district. But when anyone issue cheque of ABL without having enough money in the account then the clearing department fine TK 100 for it.

Above, the whole processes are done for outward cheques clearing, in ABL. After which the outward cheques go to the Bangladesh Bank’s Clearing House for further process, from

where ABL comes to know that which are the cheques are honored and which are dishonored.

Inward Cheque Clearing:

It is the opposite flow of outward cheque clearing; here ABL’s customers draw cheque for the other Bank’s account holder. That Bank will do the same thing to claim money from ABL with the same procedure. At the time of inward cheque for clearing, the initial things must have to be checked like- whether the Banks have given: the clearing seal, endorsement seal and the branch seal. Sometime, when some valued customer’s drawn cheque comes in ABL’s Narayanganj Branch, that time, if for any reason the Bank employees find out any difficulty in passing their drawn cheque, then they inform their valued customer about the problem. The difficulty may be like- signing problem, insufficient fund, etc, reason may occur. So, then their valued customer may try to sought out the problem about their drawn cheque. It is informed because if any valued customer is having insufficient fund for his drawn cheque then often those customer comes to the Bank to deposit the money which they have drawn for their party.

As informing the valued customer about their cheque’s problem, helps the Bank to less their return cheques quantity as much as possible which is important for any Bank to improve their Bank image in to the society and also it helps to improve a good relation, specially with their valued customer.

 (a) Transaction for Inward Clearing Cheques:

 (b) Procedure of Keeping Record

(i) In Inward Registry Book Here, also the total information of a cheque needs to give only without the name of the depositor. As for these inward cheques, ABL’s money will go to the other Bank that is why depositor name does not come in this case. Inward cheques are written in register book by giving current date and the headings are like- with the serial number: name of the bank, name of the branch, cheque number and account number and at last the amount. It is done to keep record, that which inward cheques have came to ABL for each date and also in registry book it is marked down with red pen that which cheque has gone for return. At last from the total amount in figure the return cheques are deducted and then the final amount in figure and in word is written.

(ii) Entry in to the Computer

Like outward cheque, inward cheque is also entered in computer database. As for this, the Bank can verify their customer signature with the inward cheque and also can find out that do the customer has sufficient fund for the cheque’s payment. After the verification, the posted seal is given on every inward cheque with authorized initial. But after verification if anything wrong appears then that inward cheque is returned by attaching a return memo. Then ABL’s clearing officer copy (applicable in both cases for outward & inward cheques) all the documents from their computer to the floppy disk as per Bangladesh Bank’s requirement. Because when the cheques go to the Bangladesh Bank’s Clearing House, ABL representative’s first job is to deliver the floppy to the Bangladesh Bank Computer Department.

 (c) Responsibilities of Clearing Officer for Inward Cheque Clearing:

• Need to match the Bank’s customer signature with the inward cheque signature.
• Do the customers are having sufficient fund for their cheques payment.
• Date ( advance date cheque will not be passed)
• Amount in figure & in word need to be same
• Computer posting of the cheque
  • Examine with the computer’s posting that the total number and total amount of inward cheque matches with the registry book.
  • At last, Officer also needs to be aware that do any of their customers have announced any ‘stop payment’ or not.

 (d) Return cheques penalty

The cheques which will go return for not having sufficient fund in that particular customer’s account. ABL charges Tk 25/= as penalty from that customer account’s money. But if this Tk 25/= is also not available in to that customer bank account then this penalty would not be charged, this penalty will be dismiss.

 (e) Example of a Return Memo:

Suppose a cheque will be return back for not having sufficient fund on the date of 7^th  of October, if the cheque number is cq- 368876 and amount is Tk 1,00,000/=. So for it, on the return memo the procedure will be like as follows: (on the next page)

1. Not arranged for
2. Effects not cleared May be Presented again
3. Exceeds arrangements
4. Full cover not received/ Balance insufficient
5. Payment stopped by drawer
6. …………………………………………. Payee’s endorsement

Irregular/ illegible/ required.

1. …………………………………………. Payee’s endorsement

Irregular, required Bank’s confirmation.

1. Drawer’s signature differs/ required
2. Alterations in date/ figures/ words require drawer’s full Signature
3. Cheque in post dated/ out of date/ mutilated
4. Amount in words and figure differs
5. Crossed cheque must be presented through a Bank
6. Clearing stamp required/ requires cancellation
7. Addition to Bank discharge should be authenticated
8. Cheque crossed “Account, Payee Only”
9. Collecting Bank’s Discharge irregular/ required
10. Cheque not drawn on us

The 17 reasons are given in a cheque return memo, if any one of them occurs then the inward cheques will be return back. But if the return reason does not fall on none of the above 17 mentioned reason then there is a blank space in 18, 19 and 20 to mention the reason.

Above are the processes which are done for inward cheque clearing. After which the inward cheque goes to the Bangladesh Bank’s Clearing House, from where the claimed bank get to know that whether their cheques are honored or dishonored.

Above are the processes which are done for inward cheque clearing. After which the inward cheque goes to the Bangladesh Bank’s Clearing House, from where the claimed bank get to know that whether their cheques are honored or dishonored.

At the Day End

In Outward & Inward Cheque clearing when all the work is done. The Bank gives a special posting in to the computer from where they could find out that whether the Bank for the day is in a profit (favorable) position or in a loss (disfavor able) position. As for the outward cheques, the Bank gets fund for their customer account, which may be refer as input and for the inward cheques the Bank has to draw fund for other Bank’s customer which may be refer as output. So, if input becomes greater than the output then it will be known as Favorable for this Bank. But if input becomes less than output then it will be known as Disfavor able for this Bank.

 Attending House:

(a) LBC (Local Bills for Collection) 

Here, the transactions took place within the local zone. Like in Dhaka City – suppose, a customer has account in Gulshan Branch but that customer has presented a cheque in Motijheel Branch. For the online facility, the customer can withdraw the money from Motijheel Branch but the transaction will be as follows:

As IBTA means inter branch transaction account that is why from this IBTA the Motijheel Branch will draw the cheque for that Gulshan Branch’s customer and will make that customer account credit by making IBTA debit.

 (b) OBC (Outward Bills for Collection)

If any cheque from other district comes to the Dhaka Branch then this OBC take place. Suppose, from Rupali Bank’s Chittagong Branch a cheque has come to the ABL’s Narayanganj Branch then in this case OBC will take place.

 (c) OBC Are Normally Two Types:

• OBC with different branches of the same bank
• OBC with different branches of other banks

Actually Bank wants to save their customer’s money as much as possible. That is why Bank prefers to send the OBC to those districts where they are already having their branches. As sending that outward cheques through their district branch to the original branch (from where the cheques belong to) their customers can avoid the OBC charges. But in other districts, where ABL has not any of their branches, there they send the cheque directly to the original Bank’s branch. Then for commission and for VAT that Bank charge from the customer’s claimed money.

For the OBC, the other Banks will charge 15% for three things. They are:

(a) Commission-

In commission, the rule is 20 or above 20. Like after deducting 15% commission from the cheque’s amount, if in calculation the commission comes less than Tk20. Then they will still charge Tk20.But if comes more than Tk20 or exact Tk20 then the commission will be same as like as the calculated amount.

(b) Postage Charge-

Here the process is same as like as commission.

(c) VAT –

In VAT, whatever the amount comes after calculation. That amount will be exactly   being applied for charges.

If OBC is send to those districts, where ABL is already having a branch then from there the cheque will be return as CA (Credit Advice). But if OBC is send to those districts where ABL is not having any branch then from there the cheque will be return as DD (Demand Draft) to the ABL’s Narayanganj Branch.

In terms of DD the cheques will be returned back to ABL’s Narayanganj Branch. By taking above three charges from the cheque’s amount. Then the ABL’s Narayanganj Branch. will also charge 15% (commission, postage charge and VAT) from that remaining cheque’s amount. As customer do not need to pay any extra charges in terms of CA for which the cheques amount remain same as it was written on the cheque but when ABL’s Narayanganj Branch will get return of the outward  cheque then they will take 15% charge in CA also for commission, postage charge and VAT from the actual cheque amount.

(d) OBC Procedures Are Also Two Types:

• Record keeping procedure
• After getting return procedure

So suppose, a cheque of Bangladesh Krishi Bank (BKB) from Chittagong Branch about TK 28000/= is presented on the date of 22^nd of September by the Inner Vision who is the customer of ABL’s Narayanganj Branch.

After it, the Bank will put OBC number and Crossing Seal on that outward cheque with ‘Payee’s A/C will be credited on Realization’ seal of endorse on the back of the cheque with the signature of authorized officer. Then that cheque will be attached with that OBC form and then ABL’s Narayanganj Branch will send it by postal to the Chittagong as this cheque belongs to BKB’s Chittagong Branch. By reserving a photocopy of the cheque, carbon copy of the forwarding and deposit slip of the cheque, in the OBC file.

As in Chittagong, ABL is already having there branches that is why this BKB’s outward cheque with an OBC form will be send through any of their Chittagong Branches to that BKB’s Branch of Chittagong. For which after passing of this BKB’s cheque it will be send back as CA (Credit Advice) to the ABL’s Narayanganj Branch by not taking any charges.

After getting return of that outward cheques the entry will be on the right side of the registry book, where the headings are like- particulars of instrument, collecting agent, initial, date paid, commission, postage, advice no and remarks. Like as:

Entry will be as follows:

(Right side of the Book)

When ABL will get inform by the Bangladesh Bank’s Clearing House that the BKB’s cheque is honored. Then they will collect this fund through IBTA and will send it to the Inner Vision’s account after taking their charges (commission, postage charge and VAT) from that cheques amount.

 (e) IBC (Inward Bills for Collection ):

Here, the Bank collects the cheque with forwarding letter (OBC Form) from outside Dhaka. It means that the cheque of ABL which are presented in any district through ABL’s customer, those cheques will send by that district to ABL for further process.

Procedure for IBC:

IBC is done against OBC: To receive the OBC cheque first the Bank give entry in to the IBC Register .Then the IBC number will be putted on the forwarding letter of OBC with date.

Deposit of OBC amount: OBC cheque amount is put into the “sundry deposit-sundry Creditors account”, by preparing a debit & credit voucher of it. If the OBC cheque is honored, send credit advice (IBCA) with signature & advice number of the concern branch for the OBC amount.

If the OBC cheque is dishonored, the concerned branch is informed about it.

Again place in the Clearing House or send the OBC cheque with Return Memo to the issuing branch according to their information.

The above processes of LBC, OBC & IBC are known as attending house in Clearing Department of ABL’s Narayanganj Branch.

 Local Remittance Department

Carrying cash from one place to another is troublesome and risky too. That is why money can be transferred through banking channel, which is known as remittance. The most important aspects of the Commercial Bank in terms of presenting services to its customer are these remittances of fund.

The Main Instruments Used by ABL in Local Remittance Department are Follows:

• DD (Demand Draft)
• TT (Telegraphic Transfer)
• PO (Pay Order)
• PS (Pay Slip)

Register for FDR (Fixed Deposit Rate) is also done in local remittance department of ABL’s Narayanganj Branch.

 FDR (Fixed Deposit Rate)     

This is like the deposits; it is also known as time deposits which are made with the bank for a fixed period, specified in advance. The Bank need not to maintain cash reserves against these deposits and therefore, the bank offers higher of interest on such deposits.

 (a) Procedure For Registration of FDR

The depositor has to fill-up an FDR form, where it mentions about the period of time for which the deposit has to be made, the amount for deposit and for whom the FDR will be issued that person’s name is mentioned with a nominee.

If the customer presents any other Bank’s cheque in terms of making a FDR then they will give that cheque with a deposit slip to ABL which will be kept in ‘Sundry Deposit & Sundry Creditor A/C’. After passing of that cheque, then only that customer can fill- up the FDR form. Otherwise if the customer can be able to give their FDR’s mentioned money in CASH to the cash counter then they will directly be able to fill- up the FDR form .

Then in local remittance section, they issue a fixed deposit account with the depositor acknowledging receipt where the sum of money is mentioned. It also contains the rate of interest and the date on which the depositor can be willing to get back his/her principle money with interest.

The Bank uses a file where for each FDR’s time limit some account numbers are given from the Head Office which ABL uses for their already existing customer and for their upcoming customer.

After the above process Bank gives a FDR’s term deposit receipt to their customer which the customer has to keep with them until their FDR is being matured. Because this term deposit receipt works as a token from the sides of FDR’s customer.

(b) Term Deposit Receipt’s Format

Suppose, Md Atiqur Rahman is a customer who comes to know that the ABL is giving 8.5% interest in FDR. By getting convinced with this interest rate he wants to make an FDR of TK1, 00,000 for 1year (12months) on the date of 4^th of October, 2010. Then his receipt will be look like as follows:

Term Deposit Receipt                                                                        Date: 04.06.10

Received from = …Md=Atiqur=Rahman………………

Taka =…One=Lac=Taka=Only=……………………TK   1, 00,000/=

As a deposit for………….12 (twelve) months………..

Bearing int. at    @ 8.5% per

Cent per

Annum

Due on and int. ceases from 04-06-10

ABL – TD 0066951/ 1720001959-9                     xxxxxxxxxxxx

Authorized Signature

This Term Deposit Receipt is a page from the FDR’s receipt Book. The receipt has a remaining part on back of which the customer has to give their sign which will work as a witness for the Bank. Then the receipt part will be given to Md Atiqur Rahman as a token for making an FDR by keeping that remaining part with the Bank. As after the maturity date, by only showing this receipt the customer can draw his/her money (principle + interest) from the Bank.

(c) Term Deposit Receipt:

Term deposit’s interest rate is not negotiable. For which, as FDR’s time limits are like- 1month, 3month, 6month and 12month that is why with these time limits what the interest rate will occur with the range of money, in a table, it is shown:

FDR: 1 (one) month

FDR: 3 (three) month

FDR: 6 (six) month

FDR: 12 (twelve) month

 (d) Payment of Interest

It is usually paid on the maturity date of FDR. For which ABL calculates interest at each FDR’s maturity date and provision is made as like debiting “miscellaneous creditor expenditure payable account” for the accrued interest.

 (e) Renewal of FDR    

If someone does not come to withdraw their FDR amount after the maturity date, then his/her FDR will get auto- renew. If 1 (one) month from the date of maturity that customer does not give any kind of instruction then their FDR will be automatically renewed there the period will be same with the same interest rate.

(f) Charges in FDR

After maturity date of any FDR, two kinds of charges will be applied by the Bank. They are- (i) Tax (10%) and (ii) Excise Duty. This 10% tax will be charge for the government on the profit (interest) part of FDR and the excise duty is for the Bank’s profit which will be charge on the principle amount of the FDR.

 (g) Lost of FDR receipt

If any FDR’s customer losses his/her receipt then the customer is asked to record a GD (General Diary) in to the nearest police station. The customer has to furnish an Indemnity Bond to ABL, after it only a duplicate FDR receipt is issued to the customer by the Bank.

 (h) Withdrawal of the FDR interest 

There are two system uses for withdrawal of FDR interest. They are: (i) Through Cash Voucher the customer can draw their FDR’s interest or (ii) If the customer already have a savings account in this Bank then their FDR’s interest money can be transferred to his/her account only if the customer has mentioned about it on the FDR form. Otherwise they can also withdraw their interest money through the Cash Voucher.

 (i) Precaution For Customers in Terms of Making Any FDR

At the time of making any FDR, the customer should make up their mind that the money by which they wants to make an FDR that money should be untouched by them. As because if any customer suddenly wants to withdraw their money in the middle of their FDR time limit. Then that customer will not get a single penny of interest as he/she did not able to keep their FDR deal with the Bank. Suppose a customer has made an FDR for 1year (12 months) with 13% interest. But after passing only 6months, if the customer suddenly wants to draw their money then they will not only loose the remaining 6month interest but also they will lose the interest which was occurred for passing the 6month of their FDR.

That is why most of the time Bank suggest their customer to make FDR at least for 3month. So that customer does not find much difficulty in passing their FDR time limit. By doing it customer get the facility of drawing their interest after every 3months. After each maturity date, customer’s FDR is automatically renewed until the customer does not close their FDR. If customers make only 3months of FDR then their FDR will be renew in a very short time which will become much easier for customer to keep their FDR in to this Bank and Bank will also be beneficial for it.

 Four Types of Instruments in Remittance Department Are Discussed Below:

 (a) Demand Draft (DD):

DD is an order of issuing Bank to another branch of the same bank to pay specified sum of money to payee on demand. Actually it is the payment from the ordered branch which another branch of the same Bank is performing. DD is generally used to remit fund outside the clearing house area of issuing branch. For many reasons this DD may be issued, one of the main reason may be that if the payee is a supplier. So, suppose Mr X lives in Sylhet and he is a supplier whose buyer Mr Y lives in Dhaka for which Mr Y can order his ABL’s Narayanganj Branch to issue a DD to Mr X for his payment. Then Mr X can get his payment through ABL’s Sylhet Branch by only showing that DD. As here ABL’s Narayanganj Branch is issuing a DD and giving order to their ABL’s Sylhet branch for this payment.

(i) The Payment Processes of The Paying Bank Are Like As Follows:

• Confirm that the DD is not forged one
• Confirm with sent advice
• Check the ‘Test Code’
• Make payment

(ii) Charges for DD Process = Commission + Telex (message sending) Charge

 (b) Telegraphic Transfer (TT):

Issuing branch requests another branch to pay specified money to the specific payee on demand by Telegraph/ Telephone. Suppose, a ABL’s customer has presented their Chittagong Branch cheque in to the Motijheel Branch or a cheque of Gulshan Branch has presented in the Motijheel branch then the customer will certainly get their claimed money from the Motijheel Branch. But before the payment of the cheque, ABL’s Motijheel Branch will make sure about the customer whole account information through telephone / telegraph from where the customer account belongs to. Generally TT used to remit fund anywhere in the country.

But when the online banking facility of ABL has been launched, from that time this TT process is not been used anymore. As for having the online process, ABL can do everything through this online, what they used to do in TT. For having the online facility their work has become much easier than TT. Now only with the click of the mouse, they can see every ABL’s customer account details in to their computer. As for this, the Bank can make payment of the other branch issuing cheques within a short time and customers also does need to wait much long for it.

(i) Payment Process of the Paying Bank:

• Confirm issuing branch
• Confirm Payee A/C
• Confirm amount
• Make payment
• Receive advice

(ii) Charges for TT Process = Commission + Telegraph/ Telephone Charge

 (c) Pay Order (PO):

Pay order gives the payee the right to claim payment from the issuing Bank. This payment will be from the issuing branch only. It is generally used to remit fund within the clearing house area of issuing branch and the payment process of the paying Bank is only through the clearing. When Bank issues any PO, they cut some charges from the amount which will be Pay Ordered. The receiver of the PO must have an account in any Bank and who will come to make any PO he/she has to purchase it.

(i) Process in PO

For PO, at first the party will fill-up the pay order application form (POAF) and then with that form they will deposit their indicated money in to the cash counter. When, cash counter will give the seal of cash received on that pay order application form only then the pay order instrument (POI) will be given to that party by the local remittance department.

Party or his client will then give that POI instrument to their Bank where the party or his client is already having an account than their Bank will send that POI instrument to Bangladesh Bank’s clearing house. After it that POI will again come to ABL’s Narayanganj Branch  for clearance. Then that party or his client will get the PO money in to their account when their own Bank will get informed through Bangladesh Bank that the PO has been honored.

All the above process takes at least 2days for the party or their client to get the pay order money in to the account from the date of filling-up the POAF from any Bank.

(ii) Charges for PO Process = Commission + VAT.

Pay Order

SL no.                          Amount                      Commission            VAT

1                               1 to 1000                            15                        2.25

2                         1000 to 100,000                       25                        3.75

3                    100,000 to 500,000                       50                        7.50

4                    500,000 to above 100, 00,000       100                       15

(iii) ‘Pay Order’ can be done in 2 ways. They are:

Through cash:

Here, outsider may also do the pay order for their own client. For those clients, who are having account in this ABL’s Narayanganj Branch. They has to fill- up the pay order application form in ABL’s Narayanganj Branch and after Depositing the cash the PO instrument will be given to their own Bank. Then their own Bank will send it to Bangladesh Bank’s clearing house. After getting cleared that PO instrument will again come to ABL’s Narayanganj Branch from where that party’s client will get the money.

Through cheque:

Here, only the ABL’s customer can do it. Only they need to draw their ABL cheque for their client and then they need to fill- up the pay order application form. After it, ABL will send PO instrument through Bangladesh Bank to the customer’s client Bank. From where that client account will get the desired money.

(d) Pay Slip (PS)

It is applied for internal factors or for use of any branch. In a branch some expense occurs, they are like: entertainment expense, telephone or other bills expense, plantation expense, repair expense, etc. So to meet up these expenses the Bank issue a Pay Slip which is use to pay these kind of branch expense. Actually Pay slip is done only to pay a branch expenses; pay slip money is normally given by cash. Sometime it is seen that the people for whom this PS is being issued that people are already having MSS (monthly saving scheme) account in this Bank. So if they want, then their PS money will be directly go to their mss account. So, suppose a repairer whose name is Mr Khaled has repaired ABL’s AC (air condition) and he has an mss which account number is like- 3810001772-1 in ABL’s Narayanganj Branch. If his bill is about Tk 770/=. Then his PS will be like as below:

SWOT Analysis:

SWOT Analysis is the detailed strategy of an organization’s exposure and potential in perspective of its strength, weakness, opportunity and threat. This analysis used the organization to make their existing line of performance also foresee the future to improve their performance in comparison to their competitors.

By SWOT Analysis, an organization can also observe their current position. It can also be considered as an important tool for making changes in the strategic management of the organization.

SWOT is an acronym for the internal strength and weakness of a firm and the environmental Opportunity and Threat facing that firm. So if we consider EXIM Bank as a business firm and analyze its strength, weakness, opportunity and threat the scenario will be as follows:

 Strength:  

• Energetic as well as smart team work
• Good Management
• Lending rate is relatively competitive
• Cooperation with each other
• Membership with SWIFT
• Good banker-customer relationship
• Strong Financial Position
• Strong position in CAMEL rating
• Huge business area
• Service charges are comparatively reasonable.
• Strong corporate identity
• Young enthusiastic workforce

·         Empowered Work force

Weakness:  

• Lack of proper motivation, training and job rotation
• Lack of experienced employees in junior level management
• Lack of own ATM services
• Tendency to leave the bank in quest of flexible environment
• Lack of proficient manpower in some department
• Limited advertising and publicity of bank’s products and activities
• Absence of strong marketing activities
• Outdated Software and Hardware at ABL Narayanganj
• Office environment is not good as private bank environment

·         Diversification

·         High charges of L/C

 Opportunity:  

• Growth of sales volume
• Change in political environment
• Launching own ATM card services
• Expansion of banking services into other different services
• Expansion branches of online
•  Experienced Managers
• Different services of FCB’S (Phone Banking/Home Ban king)
• Existing card services of Standard Chartered Bank  or other private Bank
• Daily basis interest on deposit offered by HSBC
• Entrance of new PCB’s
• Government has been controlling industrial credit
• Recession of global economy
• Intensification of competition in the industry

Threats:  

·         Upcoming Banks/Branches

·         Similar products are offered by other banks

·         Default Loans

·         Financial Crisis