Brother-sister duo chairmen, defaulted loans rising at two banks

According to the report, during the Awami League government, Meghna Bank was under the influence of Ashikur Rahman and Midland Bank under Kazi Zafarullah. After the fall of the government, changes came to the boards of directors of both banks. On March 16, 2025, Uzma Chowdhury became chairman of Meghna Bank. On March 20 of the same year, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury was elected chairman of Midland Bank.

According to Meghna Bank data, before Uzma Chowdhury became chairman, the bank's defaulted loans were Tk 255 crore, which was 3.78 percent of total loans. At the end of June this year, it increased to Tk 433 crore, which was 5.60 percent of total loans.

On the other hand, before Ahsan Khan Chowdhury became chairman, Midland Bank's defaulted loans were Tk 239 crore, or 3.78 percent of total loans. At the end of June this year, defaulted loans rose to Tk 412 crore, which is 5.67 percent of total loans.

In this regard, attempts were made to contact Meghna Bank Chairman Uzma Chowdhury and Managing Director Syed Mizanur Rahman, but no statement was obtained. Similarly, it was not possible to contact Midland Bank Chairman Ahsan Khan Chowdhury and Managing Director Imtiaz U Ahmed.

Banking sources claim that the incident of two siblings from the same family becoming chairmen of two scheduled commercial banks is unprecedented in the country. According to them, there is a risk of defaulted loans increasing in banks under family influence.