Govt Plans Unified Promotion System for State Banks

The government is set to roll out a unified promotion policy for permanent officers and staff of six state-owned commercial banks, aiming to bring transparency and consistency in career advancement across the sector.

According to a draft prepared by the Financial Institutions Division (FID) under the Ministry of Finance, the new policy will apply to employees of Sonali, Rupali, Janata, Agrani, BASIC, and Bangladesh Development Bank PLC (BDBL).

The draft outlines a comprehensive assessment system for promotions to key positions, including Senior Officer, Principal Officer (PO), Senior Principal Officer (SPO), Assistant General Manager, and Deputy General Manager.

Under the proposed system, promotion candidates will be evaluated on a 100-point scale. Of these, 8 marks will be allocated to the viva voce, in which candidates must secure a minimum of 4 marks. The remaining 92 marks will be based on other criteria, with candidates required to obtain at least 75 marks to qualify. A merit list will be compiled based on the total score.

For employees posted abroad, interviews may be conducted either in person or via virtual platforms.

The draft policy emphasises that promotions will be determined not merely by seniority, but by a combination of performance, academic qualifications, efficiency, training, integrity, and merit. It clearly states that seniority alone will not guarantee advancement.

Officers with unsatisfactory Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) in any of the past three years will be automatically disqualified. Similarly, those under criminal investigation, facing departmental proceedings, or currently under disciplinary action will also be barred from consideration.

For employees penalised in the past, eligibility will depend on the severity of the offence: those punished for minor offences will remain ineligible for one year after their penalty ends, while those with major offences will have to wait two years. If the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) brings formal charges or an officer is arrested, their promotion will be suspended until the matter is resolved. If cleared, the officer may still be considered based on vacancy availability.

Notably, the new policy introduces a points-based grading system for educational achievements. A Master’s degree will carry 15 marks, with distinctions at all academic levels — including Bachelor’s, Higher Secondary, and Secondary — earning additional points: 4 for first-class, 3 for second-class, and 2 for third-class results.

Experience in leadership roles will also be rewarded. For example, serving as a branch manager — previously worth only one mark — will now earn candidates two marks.

Officials said the policy aims to standardise the promotion process, ensuring that qualified and deserving candidates across all six banks are promoted based on merit, rather than influence or length of service alone.