Singaporean magazine awards Eastern Bank CEO Iftekhar

Ali Reza Iftekhar, managing director and CEO of Eastern Bank, has been presented the "Best Banking CEO of the Year, Bangladesh 2022" award by Singapore-based business magazine World Business Outlook.

The magazine lauded his all-round performance in 2020-21 and termed him an avid promoter of sustainable development in the Bangladesh economy, says a press release.

"He is credited for introducing international best practices and ethical banking at (the bank). He transformed (the bank) into a leading financial brand in Bangladesh," said Ujal Nair, the publication's editor in a felicitation note.

"I would like to extend my appreciation and gratitude to the chairman of the board of directors for his sagacity and stewardship and the entire board of directors for their invaluable feedbacks, continued support, and trust in me and my team," EBL managing director said.

Iftekhar's banking career spans 37 years, and he has served the Association of Bankers Bangladesh as president for 2014-15 and 2020-21. He has been in his current role since 2007.