Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, April 22, 2025 (BSS) - Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) has a bigger role to boost the agro-based economy through financial investment in the country's northwest region.
 
The specialized state-owned commercial bank has been providing loans to the grassroots farmers to supplement the government efforts of making the country self-reliant in food production.
 
The Board of Directors of the bank revealed this today while sharing their views in the 591st board meeting with its Chairman Dr Muhammad Ali in the chair.
 
Through its 383 branches at present, RAKUB is operating its activities as the largest development partner in all the 16 northwest districts of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions targeting the agricultural sector and all its sub-sectors.
 
As the largest development partner in agriculture as well as agro-based industrial sector of northwest Bangladesh, currently, the bank has adopted the effective work plan which is being implemented at the grassroots-level to attain all the targets within the stipulated time.
 
RAKUB has not only developed the agricultural sector in the country's northwest region but also played a vital role in its industrialisation.
 
RAKUB Managing Director Wahida Begum and Directors Shahidul Islam, Khandaker Azim Ahmed, Abdul Wahed Mondal, Dr Abdul Hai Sarker, Dr Mahammad Azizur Rahman and Shafiqul Islam joined the meeting at RAKUB headquarters boardroom.
 
Wahida Begum said that they have set a target of disbursing loans worth Taka 4,100 crore for increasing crop production and boosting rural economy everywhere in the country's northwest zone during the current 2024-25 fiscal year.
 
They have also attained a neat profit worth Taka 2.98 crore together with attaining cherished success in all financial indicators during the previous financial year.
 
At present, the number of loss-making branches has reduced to 12, declining the number to 48 in the last fiscal year from the previous year's 60.
 
Apart from this, deposit and debit balances have been inclined to Taka 7,180 crore and Taka 7,837 crore from the previous year's Taka 6,777 crore and Taka 7,587 crore respectively.
 
On the contrary, the balance of classified loans has reduced to Taka 1,242 crore from Taka 1,430 crore reaching the classified loan to 16 percent from 19 percent.
 
She also said their clients are availing the scopes of opening bank accounts and paying bills of various utility services staying at home. 
 
Around 40 lakh clients of the bank are being benefited in many ways, including banking transactions anytime and from anywhere, bill payment of utility services and opening new bank accounts from home.