- Jungle Salimpur RAB, police camp attack; joint operation on |
- Islami Bank Chairman Resigns Amid Internal Pressure |
- Seven-Day Eid Holiday Begins Monday Across Bangladesh |
- Rain likely to continue through Eid holidays: Met Office |
- Dhaka expects Delhi to extradite Hasina under existing treaty: Salahuddin |
Ex deputy governor Khurshid Alam appointed Islami Bank chairman
Hours after the resignation of Professor M Zubaidur Rahman, Bangladesh Bank (BB) has appointed its former Deputy Governor, Md. Khurshid Alam, as the new Chairman of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC.
The central bank communicated the decision via an official letter sent to the private sector bank late tonight (Sunday).
However, the appointment has triggered deep resentment and widespread questions among Islami Bank officials over corporate governance. Officials pointed out that Alam was forced to step down from the central bank in August 2024 following pressure from central bank staff due to his controversial role during the previous Awami League regime.
"Khurshid Alam enjoyed numerous privileges during the Awami League's tenure and facilitated controversial business groups. How can the central bank ensure good governance by placing such an individual at the helm of Islami Bank?" an official questioned on condition of anonymity.
When contacted, Khurshid Alam confirmed the development, stating that he initially received a phone call from the central bank before being formally served the appointment letter.
Central bank sources revealed that the appointment was made under direct instructions from BB Governor Mostakur Rahman, following a recommendation from a certain quarter of the government.
Defending the decision, Bangladesh Bank Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said, "He was forced to resign back then through 'mob justice' following the regime change. However, no formal allegations or
financial irregularities were found against him. Therefore, he has been appointed as the Chairman of Islami Bank."
Khurshid Alam was initially appointed as the Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank on a three-year contract in February 2024 by the then government. Following the political transition in August 2024, he, along with three other top central bank officials, was forced to resign.
Alam completed his post-graduation and MBA from the Faculty of Business Studies at the University of Dhaka and joined Bangladesh Bank as an Assistant Director in 1988.
Over his long career, he worked in vital departments of the central bank, including Banking Regulation and Policy, Bank Inspection, Financial Institutions and Markets, Off-site Supervision, and the SME & Special Programmes Department. He hails from Bancharampur upazila of Brahmanbaria district, reports UNB.