Desk Report,
Why promotion policies were made for 14 institutions including Sonali and Janata
The Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance issued two promotion policies on Monday. One is the ‘Employee Promotion Policy of State-Owned Commercial Banks-2025’, and the other is the ‘Employee Promotion Policy of State-Owned Specialized Banks and Financial Institutions-2025.’
Why promotion policies were made for 14 institutions including Sonali and Janata
The initiative to make both policies was taken during the tenure of the former Awami League government. The Financial Institutions Division formed two committees on July 10, 2024, to draft uniform policies for the recruitment and promotion of employees of state-owned commercial banks, specialized banks and financial institutions. The committees were formed separately due to differences in the functions and institutional structure of specialized banks and financial institutions with those of commercial banks. But the Financial Institutions Division was working slowly. After the change of scenery, Nazma Mobarek joined the Financial Institutions Division as Secretary on October 30 last year. She included the matter in the time-bound reform plan of this department with importance. The deadline for completing the work was June 30, which was finally achieved one month and five days later.
It is learned that a day-long workshop was held on the draft policy at the Financial Institutions Department on June 19 and July 21 of this year. Managing directors and concerned officials of state-owned commercial banks, specialized banks and financial institutions were present. The opinions of the stakeholders were taken in preparing the draft and the final draft of both policies was prepared in the light of everyone’s opinions. Financial Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed approved it the day before its issuance.
The one that has been done for state-owned commercial banks will be applicable to Sonali, Rupali, Janata, Agrani, Basic and Bangladesh Development Bank PLC (BDBL). The other is applicable to six specialized banks and two financial institutions. These are Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, Probasi Kalyan Bank, Karmasangsthan Bank, Ansar-VDP Unnayan Bank, Palli Sanchay Bank, Investment Corporation of Bangladesh and Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation.
Officials of the Financial Institutions Department say that in view of the recommendations of the Bankers Selection Committee of Bangladesh Bank, manpower is being recruited in different grades of state-owned commercial banks, specialized banks and financial institutions at the same time. But for so long, different policies were being followed in terms of their promotions. The government wanted that the incidents of disruption of fairness, transparency, consistency and continuity in terms of promotions should not be allowed to happen again. Promotions will be made on the basis of merit and performance. And through this, a disciplined promotion structure will be established.
Both policies state that from now on, any kind of lobbying or recommendation by candidates for promotion will be considered misconduct. This will be applicable to senior officers of banks and financial institutions, from Principal Officer, Senior Principal Officer, Assistant General Manager and Deputy General Manager.
The policy states that promotion will be based on educational qualifications, satisfactory service record, merit, efficiency, training, integrity and seniority. In terms of educational qualifications, no one below a bachelor’s degree will be eligible for promotion. In the case of state-owned banks, the base period for promotion will be December 31 every year to calculate the service period in the feeder post. For specialized banks and financial institutions, the base period is June 30.
If an employee’s service in any of the last three years in the feeder post is not satisfactory, that is, if there are adverse comments in the Annual Confidential Report (ACR), he will not be considered for the next post. Apart from this, if a criminal case is pending against anyone, if he has been convicted in a departmental case and the sentence is upheld, and if he has been accused or convicted in a criminal case, he will not be considered for promotion.
Out of the 100 marks set for promotion, the average score of ACR over 5 years is 45. In addition, 15 in educational qualifications, 15 in service as a feeder, 4 in field experience as a feeder, 10 in Banking Professional Examination (Banking Diploma), 1 in experience working in remote areas, 2 in work achievements as a feeder as a branch manager and 8 in interview or oral examination. Out of the remaining 92 marks, the candidate seeking promotion must get at least 75. The merit list will be prepared by adding both marks.
In response to a question about the policy, Janata Bank MD Mujibur Rahman told Prothom Alo, “It was necessary. We welcome it.”
In response to a question that those who had previously received the responsibility of branch manager in any way will now be ahead in terms of promotion, Janata Bank MD said, “We are reviewing and analyzing the policy. If we find any problems, we will inform the Financial Institutions Department.”
