The Bangladesh Journal - Bank clients feel discomfort: PCBs urge BB not to force for account information

UNB, Dhaka: Bank clients are feeling discomfort in making transactions as National Board of Revenue (NBR) asks commercial banks for providing information on dubious accounts as part of the ongoing anti-corruption drive.

Private commercial banks (PCBs) Wednesday reported to the Bangladesh Bank of their clients' discomfort, seeking the central bank's interference not to force banks to provide NBR the "secret information" of accounts, meeting sources said. They said the

delegation apprised the Governor that the businessmen are scared of making transactions with the banks and sought his cooperation in this regard.

A six-member delegation of Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB), led by Bank Asia Chairman M Sayeeduzzaman, met Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed at the Bangladesh Bank and informed him of the problems PCBs now facing.

"The Governor has assured us of examining the problem and doing the needful where it is possible," Pubali Bank chairman Hafiz Majumder, a member of the delegation, told reporters after the meeting. He said the delegation of the private bank owners also

requested the Governor to extend the tenure of private bank directors from three years to six years to facilitate efficient management of the banks. They requested the Governor to use his good office to convey the government the need for adjusting the

corporate income tax of commercial banks and non-bank financial institutions, he said, adding that there is a big gap between the taxes of the two types of financial institutions.

They also requested him to recommend withdrawal of 3 percent tax on transactions through credit cards.

The Pubali Bank chairman said the delegation sought cooperation of the central bank in their efforts to improve further the already-better position of the private commercial banks.