Hallmark not a major scam in banking sector

Staff Correspondent, Dhaka, Nov 6: Finnace Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith has said Hallmark scam is a major incidence of fraudulence practice for Sonali Bank itself, but it is not a major scam for the entire banking sector of the country.

 

Muhith was talking to reporters after holding a meeting with the newly-appointed board of directors of Sonali Bank Limited at his secretariat office in the capital on Wednesday.

 

He said: `Incidents of theft and fraudulence practices usually take place in all banks of the world. But the Hallmark scam was not a major thing. We will have to do business accepting these things.`

 

However, he suggested the newly-appointed board members to work with more caution.

 

Muhith said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is already working in this regard. Not only the Hallmark was involved in the scam, but also some officials of Sonali Bank were involved in it.

 

The Finance Minister said Sonali Bank is now facing various problems including opening of LCs. Bangladesh Bank has also many bonds. Decisions would be taken about these issues as soon as possible.

 

Sonali Bank`s chief executive officer and managing director Pradip Kumar Dutta said some Tk 1,170 crore have so far been realised from the Hallmark. In total, it would be possible to realise Tk 2,500 crore from various other properties.

 

The Finance Minister said as many as 24 people including the former managing director of Sonali Bank were implicated in the chargeshteet. `We have realised whatever the amount we could realise from Hallmark,` he said.

It may be mentioned that Hallmark withdrew some Tk 4,000 crore as funded and non-funded loans from the Sonali Bank Limited.

 

risingbd.com/sza