The Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance issued two promotion policies on Monday. One is the 'Employee Promotion Policy of State-Owned Commercial Banks-2025', and the other is the 'Employee Promotion Policy of State-Owned Specialized Banks and Financial Institutions-2025.'

The initiative to draft both policies was taken during the tenure of the former Awami League government. The Financial Institutions Department formed two committees on July 10, 2024, to draft uniform policies for the recruitment and promotion of employees of state-owned commercial banks, specialized banks and financial institutions. The committees were formed separately due to the differences in the functions and institutional structure of specialized banks and financial institutions compared to the functions of commercial banks.

But the Financial Institutions Department was doing the work slowly. After the change of scenery, Najma Mubarek joined as the Secretary of the Financial Institutions Department on October 30 last year. She included the matter in the time-bound reform plan of the department with importance. The obligation to complete the work was by June 30, of which it was finally done after one month and five days.

It is learned that a day-long workshop was held on the draft policy on June 19 and July 21 this year at the Financial Institutions Division. Managing directors and concerned officials of state-owned commercial banks, specialized banks and financial institutions were present in it. The opinions of the stakeholders were taken in preparing the draft and the final draft of both the policies was prepared in the light of everyone's opinions. The day before the issuance, Financial Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed gave his consent to it.

The one that has been made for state-owned commercial banks will be applicable to Sonali, Rupali, Janata, Agrani, Basic and Bangladesh Development Bank PLC (BDBL). The other one is applicable to six specialized banks and two financial institutions. These are Bangladesh Krishi Bank, Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, Probasi Kalyan Bank, Karmasangsthan Bank, Ansar-VDP Unnayan Bank, Palli Sanchay Bank, Investment Corporation of Bangladesh and Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation.

Officials of the Financial Institutions Division say that in view of the recommendations of the Bankers Selection Committee of Bangladesh Bank, manpower is being recruited in different grades of state-owned commercial banks, specialized banks and financial institutions at the same time. But different policies were being followed in their promotion for so long. The government wanted that the incidents of disruption of fairness, transparency, consistency and continuity in promotion should not be allowed to happen again. Promotion will be based on merit and performance. And through this, a disciplined promotion structure will be established.

Both policies state that from now on, any kind of lobbying or recommendation of candidates for promotion will be considered misconduct. This will be applicable to senior officers of banks and financial institutions, from principal officers, senior principal officers, assistant general managers and deputy general managers.

The policy states that promotion will be based on educational qualifications, satisfactory service record, merit, efficiency, training, integrity and seniority. In terms of educational qualifications, no one below a bachelor's degree will be eligible for promotion. In the case of state-owned banks, the base period for promotion will be 31 December every year to calculate the service period in the feeder position. For specialized banks and financial institutions, the base period will be 30 June.

If an employee's service in any of the last three years in the feeder position is not satisfactory, i.e. if there are adverse comments in the Annual Confidential Report (ACR), he will not be considered for the next position. Apart from this, if a criminal case is pending against him, if he has been convicted in a departmental case and the sentence is still in force, and if he has been accused or convicted in a criminal case, he will not be considered for promotion.

Out of the 100 marks set for promotion, the average score of ACR over 5 years is 45. Apart from this, 15 in educational qualification, 15 in service as a feeder, 4 in field experience as a feeder, 10 in Banking Professional Examination (Banking Diploma), 1 in experience working in remote areas, 2 in work experience as a feeder as a branch manager and 8 marks in interview or oral examination. Out of the remaining 92 marks, the candidate seeking promotion must get at least 75. The merit list will be prepared by adding both the marks.

In response to a question about the policy, Janata Bank MD Mujibur Rahman told Prothom Alo, "It was needed. We welcome it."

In response to a question about whether those who had previously been given the responsibility of branch managers would now be ahead in terms of promotion, the MD of Janata Bank said, "We are reviewing and analyzing the policy. If we find any problems, we will inform the Financial Institutions Department."