Bangladesh Bank has decided to merge five struggling private banks, including EXIM, after previous bailout measures failed to revive them. Analysts, however, remain skeptical about the move.

Earlier, around Tk 270 billion was injected into these banks, but they failed to recover. The planned merger may require Tk 350 billion, of which Tk 200 billion will be sought from the government. The remaining amount is expected from the Deposit Insurance Fund, IMF, and World Bank.

Before the merger, all existing shares of the banks will be nullified, and small depositors will be repaid. According to Bangladesh Bank officials, shares of the merged entity will be adjusted based on average market value.

Economic adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed indicated that other banks under special monitoring might also face similar measures. However, financial sector analysts argue that instead of mergers, banks should be given time with recovery plans, and if they fail, they should be shut down.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, between September last year and May this year, deposits in these five banks dropped by Tk 220.6 billion, while non-performing loans surged to Tk 1.47 trillion—77% of their total loans.

Bangladesh is set to witness an unprecedented move in its financial sector as the central bank prepares to liquidate nine non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs) for the first time in history.

The institutions heading toward liquidation include FAS Finance, Bangladesh Industrial Finance Company, Premier Leasing, Fareast Finance, GSP Finance, Prime Finance, Aviva Finance, Peoples Leasing, and International Leasing. Together, these entities hold over half of the sector’s total defaulted loans.

Bangladesh Bank said the government has given policy approval, and the process will begin next month through the High Court, with liquidators to be appointed. Protecting depositors’ interests will be the top priority, officials confirmed.

Economists view the move as both a risk and an opportunity: while it may shake public confidence in the sector, it could also restore discipline and transparency by removing long-troubled institutions.

The government estimates that around Tk 9,000 crore will be required to complete the liquidation process.

Abdul Motaleb, a resident of Paragaon village in Mymensingh’s Bhaluka, has turned Saudi Arabian date farming experience into a thriving business back home. After working in date plantations in Saudi Arabia between 1998 and 2001, he returned with 35 kg of high-quality seeds. Starting with 275 saplings on 70 decimals of land, he now owns a 7-bigha orchard with over 3,000 trees.

His farm produces premium varieties like Ajwa, Sukkari, Amber, Lipjell, and Mariyum, selling at prices ranging from Tk 600 to Tk 4,500 per kg. Seedlings sell for Tk 500 to Tk 200,000 each. Motaleb claims an annual income exceeding Tk 5 million.

Over 18 years, he refined his plantation to retain only female trees for higher yields. Alongside his son Mizanur Rahman, he has launched a new 8-bigha farm with 8,000 trees aimed at producing date molasses. They have also developed a new crossbreed variety capable of producing abundant sap.

Motaleb’s success has inspired others, including Afaz Pathan, who now manages 10 acres of date farms earning Tk 2–3 million annually. Local agricultural officials say dates are low-maintenance, but government incentives could boost cultivation. During a recent visit, Divisional Commissioner Mokhter Ahmed announced plans to raise the issue of expanding Saudi date cultivation and incentives in the cabinet meeting.