MTB celebrates 15th anniversary today

Mutual Trust Bank Ltd (MTB) will celebrate its 15th anniversary today (Friday).

"In less than two decades, MTB became a benchmark in the modern tech-savvy banking industry and we strive to embrace technology in a more accomplished way for the customers," Anis A Khan, managing director of Mutual Trust Bank told The FE in an interview Wednesday.

Mr Khan, one of the aficionados in banking sector vowed to make banking a pleasing and joyous experience for the MTB customers.

Mr Khan said the unprecedented advancement of mobile technology in Bangladesh, where 110 million people have mobile phones and 40 million of whom use internet on their devices, has opened the door for banks to come up with financial products for the teeming million.

"Our mobile banking product 'Bangla Cash' will be launched soon under a fool-proof arrangement," the MTB CEO said.

The bank has set up more branches compared to its contemporaries in order to boost the lender's capacity to serve customers. The bank  opened its 100th branch in its own building (MTB Tower) at Bangla Motor in the capital Thursday.

At the end of 2014, the number of branches will be 102, ATMs 200 and 2,200 point of sales machines.

The bank also strengthened its financing for small and medium enterprises who now account for about 8 percent of its outstanding loans.

"We are very strong in case of SME banking. They are all successful as well as enduring products," Mr Khan added.

Mr Khan joined MTB in 2009 and has been a new broom since then.

He envisions turning the bank into one of the best performing banks in Bangladesh and make it a bank of choice and a truly world-class bank.

The bank has seen more growth and expansion in activities under Khan's leadership riding on investment in quality people, network, technology, products and services.

During the last five years, the bank has concentrated on its network expansion and capacity building.

Its branches as well as employees more than doubled under his leadership.

"We are providing standard banking services, as customer service is one of the cornerstones of MTB."

"We are making the customer experience pleasurable through the various alternate delivery channels through contact centres, internet banking and SMS banking."

He said constant improvement of customer services will be a key part of MTB's efforts to become a bank of choice in the coming years. MTB launched a number of structured products with various schemes and facilities recently for customers such as elderly, women, graduates, school students and autistics, farmers and garment workers, alongside regular banking products.

Khan said in the last 15 years, a number of local business groups have grown as MTB grew, and the bank has always stood by its customers in difficulties.

About MTB's role in financing infrastructure projects in the country, Khan said infrastructure projects are normally government-led and very complex.

"We are part of the agreements of the infrastructure projects. Under those projects, whenever any customer approaches us for funds, we come forward, thus participating in the projects."

The bank is also involved in syndicated loans aimed for infrastructure projects. For example, MTB is already part of about 10 syndicated financing for power projects.

He thanked the central bank governor, Atiur Rahman, for taking the country's banking sector forward in a big way through measures such as Bangladesh Automated Clearing House and Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network.

Mr Khan said although the non-performing loans at MTB is a bit higher than before the bank is still stable and doing very well compared to other crisis-hit banks.

Chairman of both Primary Dealers Bangladesh Ltd, and SWIFT Member & User Group of Bangladesh, Mr Khan said MTB maintains a very high level of corporate governance.

"We have touched the milestone because of our founders who are distinguished industrialists and entrepreneurs of the country."

"The directors have given me professional authority almost unprecedented in the country's banking history. They also never interfere in the running of the bank," he said.

According to the latest statistics, MTB's profit before provision was Tk 1,968 million till September 30,2014 against the corresponding period of the previous year, a whopping 67.14 per cent growth.

In quarter 3 of this year, loan and advances registered 21 per cent growth each against the previous quarters.