Export Import Bank of Bangladesh

Export Import Bank of Bangladesh PLC., generally known as EXIM Bank, is a private commercial bank headquartered in Bangladesh. The bank began operations on 3 August 1999 under the regulatory framework of Bangladesh Bank. It was initially established as BEXIM Bank Limited, but was subsequently renamed EXIM Bank because of legal constraints associated with its original name. The name refers to Export Import Bank of Bangladesh. The institution was founded by Nazrul Islam Mazumder and the late Shahjahan Kabir. At launch, Alamgir Kabir served as adviser and Mohammad Lakiotullah served as managing director, while Nazrul Islam Mazumder became chairman. The bank started with authorized capital of Tk 1 billion and paid-up capital of Tk 225 million. Its capital base was increased over time; by the end of 2011, authorized capital had reached approximately Tk 16.12 billion and paid-up capital approximately Tk 9.22 billion. These historical figures are reported in contemporary reference material and should not be treated as current financial data. A defining strategic change occurred in July 2004, when EXIM Bank completed the conversion of all of its conventional banking operations to Shariah-based banking. This made it the first bank in Bangladesh described as having converted its entire operation in this way. Its business therefore spans Islamic deposit and financing products, trade-related banking, remittance and foreign-exchange services, corporate and commercial finance, retail banking, and other services associated with a full-service private bank. The bank has also been associated with financing for industrial customers, including a reported Tk 630 million facility arranged for Outpace Spinning Mills Limited in October 2007. EXIM Bank has pursued activity beyond ordinary branch banking. In 2009 it became the first privately owned Bangladeshi bank reported to have opened an exchange house in the United Kingdom, supporting remittance-related activity for Bangladeshis living abroad. The bank has also undertaken social and educational initiatives through the EXIM Bank Foundation. Its scholarship program began in 2006 with 61 disadvantaged but academically strong students from institutions in Dhaka. By April 2013, the program was reported to have enrolled about 2,100 students from roughly 350 educational institutions across Bangladesh. The foundation has also been linked with EXIM Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh in Chapainawabganj and plans for an EXIM Bank Hospital in Mirpur, Dhaka. The bank has remained involved in Bangladesh's financial-sector development and capital markets. Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission approved a Tk 6 billion bond issue in February 2019, and EXIM Bank announced a plan in March 2021 to raise another Tk 6 billion through a mudaraba perpetual bond. In 2024, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Padma Bank concerning a proposed takeover or merger, but the proposed transaction was cancelled by both banks on 24 December 2024. EXIM Bank's public profile combines Islamic banking specialization, commercial and trade finance, remittance services, education initiatives, and participation in Bangladesh's corporate banking sector. Its current ownership, leadership configuration, financial performance, and precise post-2024 strategic direction require verification from the bank's latest official disclosures. Exim Bank (Bangladesh), established in 1999, is a private commercial bank in Bangladesh offering retail banking, corporate banking, SME loans, and trade finance. It is listed on the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges. Export Import Bank of Bangladesh PLC., generally known as EXIM Bank, is a private commercial bank headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The bank began operations on 3 August 1999 under the regulatory framework of Bangladesh Bank. It was initially established as BEXIM Bank Limited, but was subsequently renamed EXIM Bank because of legal constraints associated with its original name. The institution was founded by Nazrul Islam Mazumder and the late Shahjahan Kabir. At launch, Alamgir Kabir served as adviser and Mohammad Lakiotullah served as managing director, while Nazrul Islam Mazumder became chairman. The bank started with authorized capital of Tk 1 billion and paid-up capital of Tk 225 million; by the end of 2011, authorized capital had reached approximately Tk 16.12 billion and paid-up capital approximately Tk 9.22 billion. These historical figures should not be treated as current financial data. The bank has been involved in Bangladesh's financial-sector development and capital markets. The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission approved a Tk 6 billion bond issue in February 2019, and in March 2021 EXIM Bank announced plans to raise a further Tk 6 billion through a mudaraba perpetual bond. In 2024 it signed a memorandum of understanding with Padma Bank for a proposed acquisition or merger, but the proposed transaction was cancelled by both banks on 24 December 2024. EXIM Bank's public profile combines Islamic banking specialization, commercial and trade finance, remittance services, educational initiatives, and participation in Bangladesh's corporate banking sector. Its current ownership, leadership configuration, financial performance, and exact post-2024 strategic direction require verification from the bank's latest official disclosures. EXIM Bank's public profile combines Islamic banking specialization, commercial and trade finance, remittance services, educational initiatives, and participation in Bangladesh's corporate banking sector. Its current ownership, leadership configuration, financial performance, and exact post-2024 strategic direction need to be verified from the bank's latest official disclosures. The bank is listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange and the Chittagong Stock Exchange.

EXIM Bank was established in Bangladesh in 1999 by Nazrul Islam Mazumder and the late Shahjahan Kabir. It began commercial operations on 3 August 1999 under Bangladesh Bank's rules and supervision. The original corporate identity was BEXIM Bank Limited, but the institution later adopted the EXIM Bank name because of legal constraints. Nazrul Islam Mazumder became chairman, Alamgir Kabir served as adviser, and Mohammad Lakiotullah became the first managing director identified in the bank's early history. The bank's initial authorized capital was Tk 1 billion, while paid-up capital was Tk 225 million. Capital remained unchanged through December 2000 and was subsequently raised in stages. Historical figures cited for 31 December 2011 place authorized capital at Tk 16.12 billion and paid-up capital at Tk 9.22 billion. These amounts describe that historical reporting period rather than the bank's present capitalization. EXIM Bank's most important early strategic milestone was its move into Islamic banking. In July 2004 it completed the conversion of all conventional banking operations to Shariah-based banking. The conversion gave the bank a distinctive position in Bangladesh's private banking market and shaped its later use of Islamic finance terminology, including mudaraba instruments. The bank continued to provide broad commercial banking services while organizing them within a Shariah-based framework. The institution expanded its social and external-facing activities during the 2000s. Its scholarship initiative began in 2006 for academically capable students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2007 it reported supporting around 80 students from institutions including Dhaka University, BUET, Dhaka Medical College, and other schools and colleges. The bank also sponsored a Dhaka city beautification project organized by Dhaka City Corporation. In the same period, it arranged a reported Tk 630 million loan for Outpace Spinning Mills Limited. International remittance infrastructure became another area of development. In 2009, EXIM Bank was reported to have become the first privately owned bank in Bangladesh to open an exchange house in the United Kingdom. This move connected the bank with the Bangladeshi diaspora and supported cross-border remittance services. During the 2010s, management and capital-market activity remained prominent. Mohammed Haider Ali Miah became managing director in July 2012 and was reappointed in July 2015. Bangladesh's securities regulator approved a Tk 6 billion EXIM Bank bond issue in February 2019. The bank later announced a plan in March 2021 to issue a Tk 6 billion mudaraba perpetual bond. Mohammad Firoz Hossain was appointed managing director in September, although the available reference does not clearly specify the year or his current status. The bank also faced legal controversy. In May 2020 it filed a case against two Sikder Group directors following an alleged assault on bank officials linked to a loan dispute. A subsequent Detective Branch investigation reportedly resulted in the two directors' names being removed from the criminal case. This episode is relevant to the bank's public record but does not by itself establish wrongdoing by EXIM Bank. In March 2024 EXIM Bank and Padma Bank signed a memorandum of understanding at Bangladesh Bank headquarters for a proposed takeover or merger. The combined institution was expected to operate under the EXIM Bank name, but the planned transaction was cancelled by both parties on 24 December 2024. EXIM Bank's broader institutional legacy includes its conversion to Islamic banking, commercial and trade-finance operations, UK remittance infrastructure, educational philanthropy, and participation in Bangladesh's evolving banking-sector consolidation.

• 2024

  Proposed Padma Bank merger is cancelled

  [1]Exim Bank (Bangladesh)en.wikipedia.org

  After signing a merger memorandum in March, EXIM Bank and Padma Bank call off the planned transaction on 24 December.

• 2021

  Mudaraba perpetual bond plan announced

  [1]Exim Bank (Bangladesh)en.wikipedia.org

  EXIM Bank announces plans to raise Tk 6 billion through a mudaraba perpetual bond.

• 2019

  Bond issue receives regulatory approval

  [1]Exim Bank (Bangladesh)en.wikipedia.org

  The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission approves a Tk 6 billion EXIM Bank bond issue.

• 2012

  Mohammed Haider Ali Miah becomes managing director

  [1]Exim Bank (Bangladesh)en.wikipedia.org

  Mohammed Haider Ali Miah is appointed managing director in July.

• 2009

  United Kingdom exchange house opens

  [1]Exim Bank (Bangladesh)en.wikipedia.org

  The bank opens a UK exchange house and is described as the first privately owned Bangladeshi bank to do so.

• 2006

  Scholarship program launches

  [1]Exim Bank (Bangladesh)en.wikipedia.org

  The EXIM Bank Scholarship Program begins with support for 61 disadvantaged but high-performing students.

• 2004

  Conversion to Shariah-based banking

  [1]Exim Bank (Bangladesh)en.wikipedia.org

  EXIM Bank completes the conversion of all its conventional banking operations to Shariah-based banking.

• 1999

  Commercial operations begin

  [1]Exim Bank (Bangladesh)en.wikipedia.org

  The bank begins operating on 3 August 1999 as a private commercial bank under Bangladesh Bank's regulatory framework.

A Bangladeshi private commercial bank positioned around full-service Islamic banking, trade and commercial finance, remittances, and socially oriented educational initiatives.

• Islamic banking · 2004

  Shariah-based banking

  EXIM Bank's core institutional offering is banking conducted on a Shariah-based model. In July 2004, the bank completed the conversion of all its conventional operations. This framework covers deposit-taking, financing, investment, and related banking activities, and distinguishes the institution from Bangladeshi competitors that retain conventional operations or operate mixed models.

• Corporate banking

  Trade and export-import finance

  Trade finance is central to the bank's identity and name. The offering supports commercial customers involved in import and export activity through banking, financing, and foreign-trade services. The available reference also records a Tk 630 million loan arranged for Outpace Spinning Mills Limited in 2007, illustrating the bank's role in industrial and corporate finance.

• Remittance and foreign exchange · 2009

  Remittance and exchange-house services

  EXIM Bank provides remittance and foreign-exchange services for customers in Bangladesh and abroad. In 2009 it opened an exchange house in the United Kingdom, extending its ability to serve Bangladeshi workers and diaspora communities sending funds to Bangladesh.

• Education and social initiative · 2006

  EXIM Bank Scholarship Program

  The scholarship program supports academically strong students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. It began in 2006 with 61 students from institutions in Dhaka and was later reported to have enrolled approximately 2,100 students from around 350 educational institutions across Bangladesh by April 2013.

• Capital-market instrument · 2021

  Mudaraba perpetual bond

  In March 2021, the bank announced plans to raise Tk 6 billion through a mudaraba perpetual bond. The instrument reflects EXIM Bank's use of Islamic capital-market structures, although the available reference does not establish the final issuance date or proceeds.

• Retail banking

  Retail banking

  The bank offers retail banking services, including credit cards and online banking.

• SME financing

  SME loans

  The bank provides loans to small and medium-sized enterprises.

• 2020

  Loan-dispute assault case

  EXIM Bank filed a case against Sikder Group directors Ron Haque Sikder and Dipu Haque Sikder, alleging that bank officials were assaulted during a dispute concerning a loan. After a Detective Branch investigation, the two directors' names were reportedly dropped from the criminal case.

  Source

Read more

• 2007Dhaka city beautification project

  Bangladesh

  EXIM Bank sponsored a beautification project for Dhaka organized by Dhaka City Corporation.

  Source
• 2006EXIM Bank Scholarship Program

  Bangladesh

  The bank launched a scholarship initiative for poor but meritorious students, later expanding it across institutions in Bangladesh. By 30 April 2013, the program was reported to have enrolled about 2,100 students from approximately 350 institutions.

  Outcome. By 30 April 2013, the program was reported to have enrolled about 2,100 students from approximately 350 institutions.

  Source

• 2024

  Pursue and then cancel proposed Padma Bank mergerM&A

  Background

  EXIM Bank and Padma Bank explored a combination in the context of Bangladesh's changing banking sector.

  Action taken

  The banks signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2024, then jointly called off the planned merger on 24 December 2024.

  Aftermath

  The proposed combined bank did not proceed under the EXIM Bank name.

  Source

• 2021

  Announce Tk 6 billion mudaraba perpetual bondProduct launch

  Background

  EXIM Bank sought to use an Islamic capital-market instrument to raise capital.

  Action taken

  The bank announced plans to issue a mudaraba perpetual bond valued at Tk 6 billion.

  planned bond size. Tk 6 billion (Announcement in March 2021)

  Source

• 2004

  Convert all operations to Shariah-based bankingStrategy

  Background

  The bank sought a distinctive operating model within Bangladesh's private banking market.

  Action taken

  EXIM Bank converted its entire conventional banking operation to a Shariah-based model in July 2004.

  Aftermath

  The conversion became a defining feature of the bank's identity and product architecture.

  Source

1. 1Exim Bank (Bangladesh)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2EXIM Bank official websiteeximbankbd.com