Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has detailed the government's and Bangladesh Bank's multiple steps to tackle the increasing bad loans, loan fraud, money laundering, and irregular loan practices by influential entities in the banking sector. He mentioned that measures are being taken against major defaulters and to ensure the safety of depositors' money.
In response to a written question by MP Muhammad Rabiul Bashar of Satkhira-3 in the Jatiya Sangsad, the Finance Minister provided these details. The session, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, began at 3 PM.
The Minister informed that Bangladesh Bank has provided various policy supports for recovering bad loans, including issuing BRPD Circular No. 07/2025 to recover loans from borrowers unable to repay on time. Guidelines for classified loan resolution strategies have been formulated for banks with high classified loan rates. BRPD Circular No. 6 (12 March 2024) has been issued to take action against willful defaulters as defined in the Bank-Company (Amendment) Act.
Regarding money laundering prevention and recovering laundered money from abroad, the Minister said a 12-member inter-agency task force chaired by the Bangladesh Bank Governor has been formed. Based on the task force's recommendations, the government has identified 11 priority cases under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.
The Minister informed that 11 joint investigation teams (JITs) led by the Anti-Corruption Commission and comprising Bangladesh Police's CID, National Revenue Board's Central Intelligence Cell, and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate have been formed to investigate these cases. As of April 2026, court orders have attached movable and immovable properties worth Tk 99,188.60 crore and Tk 47,249.23 crore respectively in the country, and Tk 15,111.92 crore and Tk 4,533.99 crore abroad.
The Minister added that a Stolen Asset Recovery Division has been established under the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) to expedite the recovery of laundered assets abroad.
Regarding capital market irregularities, the Minister said legal action has been taken against those involved in the past fascist government's market manipulation. Investigations into 12 share market-related institutions have led to lifetime bans for former BSEC Chairman Prof. Shibli Rubaiyat-ul-Islam and a 5-year ban for former BSEC Commissioner Dr. Shamsuddin Ahmed from participating in any capital market activities in Bangladesh.
