Exim Bank puts thrust on IT, HR, internal control

EXIM Bank Ltd has taken a move to broaden its network beyond the country to serve the teeming millions.
"We have already applied to the Bangladesh Bank for opening our branch in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and expect to obtain the approval soon as the central bank has already given permission to open branches of two local private commercial banks (PCBs) in KSA," Dr Mohammed Haider Ali Miah, managing director & CEO of EXIM Bank told the FE in an interview recently.
The bank with a paid-up capital worth Tk 1.46 billion has 113 branches across the country and two exchange houses in Canada and UK.
Mr Haider, a career banker said the bank has already completed 17 years of its operation putting IT and human resource (HR) at the helm and attained  'conspicuous successes' in the banking sector of the country.
"We have tried our level best to maintain a truly kick-ass quality in our unique banking services as far as IT, HR and internal control and compliances are concerned," Mr Haider mentioned.
"These three (IT, HR and internal control and compliance) are the cornerstones to run our business ethos and we believe more resounding successes hinge on the proper functioning of these three mechanisms in any company," the Exim Bank MD said.
The bank began operation on August 3, 1999 and later set the first instance of conversion from a conventional bank to a full fledged Islamic one abiding by the Shariah principles in the country.
He said the bank has been able to see a tremendous growth during the last few years both vertically and horizontally riding on IT and HR.
The bank completed Core Banking System (CBS), a comprehensive IT-based programme to spur the business growth of the bank using T24 Temenos, a Swiss-based IT solution.
"Truly speaking, as a young generation bank, EXIM Bank's success mostly relies on its assiduous workforce, which it has ensured through its transparent and efficient recruitment policies. We believe no other factor counts as much as human resources in making an organisation productive. One other factor that we count immediately after human resources is adoption of state of art technology in service delivery. Skilled human resources supported by efficacious technology can bring a sort of revolution in an organisation," the Managing Director said.
"Our internal control and compliance division (ICCD) is very strong to check compliance of internal control system. Previously it was a dumping ground for the deadwoods but now only the mission-critical officials are working in this department," the Exim Bank MD said.
With a robust presence in country's CSR activities, Exim Bank also operates an international standard university (Exim Bank Agricultural University,Bangladesh) at Chapai Nawabgonj district under Rajshahi division.
"Only Citibank NA operates such a university and we are doing the job perfectly since 2013", the managing director said.
"Apart from education, we are also contributing in disaster management, health, sports, cultural welfare, zakat etc to streamline our enduring CSR activities," Mr Haider pointed out.
Exim Bank also operates a record number of diversified products from where general depositors get maximum financial benefits.
A career banker, Mr Haider Ali participated in Bilateral Counter-Terrorism Financing Banking Dialogue, organised by U.S Department of State, U.S Department of Justice and Bangladesh Bank held in March 2015 in New York and the follow up meeting held on same topics in London in October of the same year as a resource person on Shariah Banking in Bangladesh.
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