BB demands loan data to bar defaulters from elections

Managing directors of various banks, non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), and Bangladesh Bank officials said they are receiving a surge in applications for loan regularisation.

In response, the Credit Information Bureau (CIB) of Bangladesh Bank (BB) has issued a strict directive to all banks and financial institutions nationwide, ordering rapid updates of loan-related data to confirm the financial eligibility of potential candidates.

Bangladesh Bank officials said on Saturday that even if a borrower secures a stay order from a court, financial institutions must report the accurate status of the loan to the CIB without any alteration.

The central bank emphasised that there will be no scope to conceal information or offer ‘arbitrary’ concessions.

A special meeting was held on October 29 with CIB representatives from all banks and NBFIs, where institutions were informed of the government’s firm instruction to complete loan data updates before the election to ensure no loan defaulter can contest.

“The Bangladesh Bank has made it clear that the government will not allow any loan defaulter to become a candidate in the upcoming election,” said a CIB official.

Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, said the central bank is updating customers’ loan statuses as per government instructions.

He added that providing updated credit information to Bangladesh Bank is a routine responsibility of banks.

The central bank has also directed all institutions to strictly follow existing rules concerning borrowers attempting to reschedule long-overdue defaulted loans ahead of the election. No exceptions, special privileges, or rule violations will be permitted for rescheduling.

All financial institutions, particularly those yet to submit their default data to the CIB, have been ordered to do so immediately. Updated reports detailing the full status of all new and ongoing loans, based on month-end outstanding balances, are mandatory.

Banks have been specifically instructed to update the following information:

Accounts of ongoing and settled loans, along with accurate balances and classification status,

Maturity dates and overdue balances, Number and value of defaulted instalments, and details of installment payments or recoveries.

To ensure round-the-clock verification of loan information for potential candidates, Bangladesh Bank has directed every bank branch to appoint a dedicated officer. Their names and mobile numbers must be submitted to the central bank.

Electoral law clearly states that a candidate will be disqualified if their bank loan status is not classified as ‘regular’ up to seven days before the submission of nomination papers.

Officials concerned believe this rigorous initiative by Bangladesh Bank will play a decisive role in preventing loan defaulters from securing nominations ahead of the election, reports UNB.