Dutch Bangla Bank

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Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited

Type	Private (Non-Government), DSE DUTCHBANGL
Founded	Dhaka, Bangladesh (1995)
Headquarters	Dhaka, Bangladesh
Key people	M Sahabuddin Ahmed -Founder & Chairman; Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden (FMO)
Industry	Banking
Products	Banking services, ATM services
Employees	1600
Website	[1]

Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (the Bank, DBBL) is a scheduled joint venture commercial bank between local Bangladeshi parties spearheaded by M Sahabuddin Ahmed (Founder & Chairman) and the Dutch company FMO. DBBL was established under the Bank Companies Act 1991 and incorporated as a public limited company under the Companies Act 1994 in Bangladesh with the primary objective to carry on all kinds of banking business in Bangladesh. The Bank is listed with the Dhaka Stock Exchange Limited and Chittagong Stock Exchange Limited.

DBBL commenced formal operation from June 3, 1996. The head office of the Bank is located at Sena Kalyan Bhaban (4th floor),195, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Bank commenced its banking business with one branch on 4 July 1996.

The bank is often colloquially referred to as "DBBL", "Dutch Bangla" and "Dutch Bangla Bank".

1 Banking
2 ATM Network/DBBL Nexus Participating Banks
3 Automation Services for Banks & co-branded ATMs
4 Social Work
- 4.1 Dutch-Bangla Bank Research Center
5 References

[edit] Banking

A Dutch Bangla Bank branch in Banani.

After instability and frequent management changes in its initial years, DBBL overcame these obstacles to establish itself as a market leader. It has grown its reputation through social work rather than profits. The bank's conservative nature, long-term strategies, hefty social donations and technology investments have always led to modest but steady profits.

Due to investor confidence, DBBL share prices has steadily climbed in value. In March 2008, DBBL share prices reached Tk. 14325.80 in the Dhaka Stock Exchange, setting the record for the highest stock price in the history of Bangladesh. It is also one of the few banks that does not participate in merchant banking (which can lead to sporadic growth). DBBL has branded itself as a trusted bank through its banking practices and social commitments.

Dutch Bangla Bank is the first and only local bank in Bangladesh to have an automated banking system. The bank has spent over Tk. 1 Billion in automation upgrades (first bank in Bangladesh to do so). This automation took place in 2003 whereby services of the bank were available uniformly though any branch, ATM and internet. Banking was a paper based until DBBL, with its wide local network, delivered banking automation and modern banking services to the masses. This effectively introduced the 'plastic money' concept into the Bangladeshi society.

The ATM count stood at 140 eclipsing other networks by a large margin. This rapid increase in DBBL's ATM network has led the majority of other banks to sign sharing agreements instead of pursuing their own ATM network.

In 2006, Dutch Bangla Bank ventured into the realm of personal credit by offering automatic credit facilities to its Debit card (DBBL Nexus) holders. It also continued expanding its ATM network with the intension of installing more than 400 machines.

In 2007 the bank entered a strategic alliance with Citibank NA, where both parties will provide retail banking services of DBBL for its employees and owners of Citibank corporate customers in Bangladesh. In the same year DBBL became the first bank in Bangladesh to offer SMS Banking services.

DBBL maintained a proprietary policy on its ATM network until 2007. This was changed when DBBL and Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) signed an agreement that will let SCB use DBBL's ATM network. Thus ending the unhealthy competition between the organizations. This sharing invitation was extended to all other banks shortly after. Number of DBBL ATMs eclipsed the 200 mark.

[edit] ATM Network/DBBL Nexus Participating Banks

A DBBL Nexus ATM booth.

DBBL maintains its own network and automation without the involvement/assistance of any third party companies. Access to ATM services are free for DBBL clients. Partner banks are charged Tk. 10, although the end price for the customer may be higher due to the extra charges levied by the partner bank.

DBBL has over 260 ATM's installed all over Bangladesh, making it the largest network by a large margin. Banks that have signed agreements to share DBBL's ATM network (as of 24 May 2008):

Citibank (locally known as "Citibank NA")
Standard Chartered Bank (SCB)
Commercial Bank of Ceylon
Mutual Trust Bank
Bank Asia
National Credit and Commerce Bank Limited (NCC Bank)
Prime Bank
United Commercial Bank Limited (UCBL)
Southeast Bank Limited (SEBL)
The City Bank (locally known as "local City Bank" to differentiate between Citibank)
First Security Bank
Trust Bank
Mercantile Bank

[edit] Automation Services for Banks & co-branded ATMs

Dutch-Bangla Bank initiated a co-branded ATM initiative in Bangladesh where the bank would provide ATM machines and networking free of charge to any bank's branches. Mutual Trust Bank was the first bank to take advantage and the first co-branded ATM in Bangladesh started operation on 28th May 2008.

In 2008, Dutch-Bangla Bank started offering full banking automation services to other banks where without any investment or technical knowledge, member banks can automate themselves in matter of months using DBBL's infrastructure (this includes required hardware, card issuance, ATM usage & switching software).

[edit] Social Work

Dutch Bangla Bank supports social work extensively and is one of the largest private donors in Bangladesh. It contributes extensively through its foundation Dutch Bangla Bank Foundation. This has been one of the biggest priority for the bank since its inception. As a result the organization has been granted numerous national and international awards for its role in the development of Bangladesh.

DBBL introduced new forms of financial services in Bangladesh. These include loans to several hundred couriers, rickshaw drivers (bicycle taxis) and small shopkeepers, thanks to a contribution from the Small-Scale Enterprise Fund. Investment credits for local exporting companies in American dollars are another new activity, for the benefit of local textile and bicycle businesses. These investments has provided stimulus for the economic growth of the local private sector.

The bank donates mainly towards social awareness programs, medical and educational fields. DBBL also maintains the largest scholarship program in Bangladesh whereby college/university education tuition and expenses are fully paid for unconditionally by the bank.

It won the 2007 Bangladesh Business Awards for being the 'Best Financial Institution' mainly for its commitment to technology and community service. In 2007 alone, DBBL donated BDT 220 million towards social causes.

[edit] Dutch-Bangla Bank Research Center

In 2008, DBBL announced a donation of Tk 100 million to fund the construction of a 11 storey research center, titled "Dutch-Bangla Bank Research Centre for Advanced Research in Arts and Social Sciences" at the Dhaka University campus in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The research center, which would be the first of its kind in Bangladesh, will be supervised by renowned teachers, scholars and researchers. It will also award scholarship to researchers and scholars at home and abroad.