Reduce gap between lending and deposit rates
BB governor asks banks as Shahjalal Bank launches VISA cards
Star Business Report
Bangladesh Bank (BB) Governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has urged the commercial banks to reduce the gap between lending and deposit rates."The margin could be reduced by developing automation, increasing manpower and skills in the banks," he said. The central bank chief was addressing the launching ceremony of Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited's VISA cards in Dhaka on Saturday night. To mark its seventh founding anniversary, the Shahjalal Bank launched mainly two varieties of VISA cards -- VISA Electron and VISA Prepaid. Under the category of VISA Prepaid, the bank launched four types of cards -- Prepaid card-local, Prepaid card-international, Prepaid card-dual and Gift card-local. The Shahjalal Bank officials said any account holder of the bank can apply for a VISA Debit Card against his/her Al-Wahiah Current Deposit, Mudaraba Savings Deposit or Mudaraba Short Notice Deposit account. He/she can enjoy the benefits of cash withdrawal from ATMs, liberty of shopping, dining, paying utility bills and having access account information through SMS round the clock. The bank's VISA Prepaid Local Cards are open even to the customers having no account with the bank and the cardholders may have card against pre-payment and have access from anywhere in Bangladesh. VISA Prepaid International Cards are also open to such customers and the cardholders may have card endorsing US dollar paying against Travel Quota, Exporters Retention Quota or making Lien of his/her account. The cards are accepted at all VISA labeled merchant outlets and ATMs worldwide. The Dual Card holders can enjoy all the benefits and make transactions locally and globally from their prepaid account at all VISA labeled merchant outlets and ATMs. The officials said the intending customers of Shahjalal Bank Souvenir Card may have the card instantly or may customise the card as required. The cards are also accepted locally at all VISA labeled merchant outlets and ATMs. Among others, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Faruq Ahmad Siddiqi, Shahjalal Bank Chairman Sajjatuz Zumma, Managing Director M Kamaluddin Chowdhury, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Hossain Khaled, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association Chairman Abdul Hai Sarker and Nitol-Niloy Group Chairman Abdul Matlub Ahmed spoke at the function.
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