General banking function of a public bank: a study on Agrani Bank Limited (ABL)

Abstract

Agrani Bank Limited (ABL) is established in 1972. It is a state owned bank. It is formed by the composition of ex-Habib Bank ltd and ex-Commerce Bank ltd. Agrani Bank Limited is a Bank with an Authorized Capital and Paid-up Capital of Tk.800.00 million and Tk.248.00 million respectively. The total equity of the bank stands at 725.00 million as on December, 2010. The total profit of last year is about Tk.680.00 million.There are about 867 branches in which 10 branches are corporate. There are about 341 town branches and 526 rural branches. The board of directors is consisted of 11 members. The Chairmen and Directors are nominated by government. There are six section of ABL (Ramna br.) in GB- Cash, computer, account opening, clearing, Accounts and local remittance. Cash section receive cash and pay payment in cash, computer section posting the vouchers, account penning section open new accounts, clearing section deal with clearing function, account section prepare different statement etc. The strengths of ABL are, State owned bank, Wide image, Unlimited trustiness about ABL to rural people, High commitments for customers, Qualified and experiences personnel etc. The weaknesses of ABL are: Absence of service providing mentality, Absence of IT applications.Some what manual based, Lack of motivation of workers, depends on Head office. The opportunities of ABL are: High demand of credit, High demand of small enterprise financing, High demand of remittance facility, High demand of investment by depositing. The threats of ABL are: Interfere of CBA and Officers’ Somiti, Some commercial and foreign banks, Some rules and regulations of Bangladesh Bank, Present of similar types of retail banking product etc. The shortcoming of ABL is: Bureaucratic complexity in Management of ABL is very high in relation to general banking function. Management of GB practice excess formalities. In absence is service providing mentality. Interference of CBA and Officer Somiti in operation of GB Lobbing from upper level for doing unfair activities, Lacking of motivation in GB personnel due to irregular promotion. Absence of using IT application. Manual based operation. There are some recommendations toward concern authority for overcoming the shortcomings of ABL in below: All banking activities should be performed using IT, Bank should neglect the manual based operation, All branches should be well decorated Staff and officers should speak polite and low voice, Bank should introduce new product, Bank should consider experience , written test and viva examination in cases of promotion, Bank should provide appropriate training, take motivational effort, To limit interferences of CBA and Officers’ Somiti.