Rajshahi: Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB) has made tremendous progress in various financial indicators during the last one year creating a hope of infusing dynamism into the economic activities in the region. The bank's deposits have increased by Tk 855.71 crore. During the same period, net loss has decreased by Tk 171.15 crore.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this progress has been achieved due to the current management's zone-based supervision, regular guidance at the field level, and various reform initiatives. Since its establishment on March 15, 1987, RAKUB has been working for the socio-economic development of farmers in the country's northwest region consisting of all 16 districts under Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions.
Bank sources indicate that, in competition with other scheduled banks, RAKUB has recently achieved significant success in various indicators. The recent progress was appreciated in the latest Governor's meeting held with Managing Directors of the bank.
According to RAKUB's information, in the last 2025-2026 fiscal year, the bank's deposits have increased by Tk 855.71 crore, marking the highest achievement compared to any time in the past. On the other hand, in the previous 2024-2025 fiscal year, the bank's net loss was Tk 289.39 crore. In the last fiscal year, it has come down to Tk 118.24 crore, a reduction of Tk 171.15 crore.
The amount of provision against the bank's classified loans (CL) has also decreased. In the previous fiscal year, the amount of provision was Tk 702.87 crore. In the last fiscal year, it has decreased to Tk 689.74 crore, resulting in a decrease of Tk 13.13 crore. Currently, while the classified loan rate of various scheduled banks is more than 30 percent, RAKUB's CL is about 16 percent.
As the first bank in the country, RAKUB has successfully implemented the government's special initiative to provide financial relief to small and marginal farmers. Under this programme, agricultural loans totalling Taka 225 crore 74 lakh 99 thousand for 229,933 farmer families have been repaid through the government.
To make the bank's operations more dynamic, various initiatives have been taken, including a new organogram, housing loan policy, and motorcycle loan policy. Besides, there is an initiative to implement a new programme under the Tk 3,000 crore package announced by the government. The bank authorities hope these steps will improve the financial condition of agriculture and farmers in the north-western region.
At a time when the bank management is taking initiatives to overcome various obstacles of the past and turn around, a group is creating obstacles in various ways. In 38 years at RAKUB, about 60 Managing Directors have been changed, and at various times, they have faced challenges like mob chaos, propaganda, and intimidation.
General Manager of RAKUB Taj Uddin stated that RAKUB is conducting various activities to improve the living standards of farmers in the northern region. Overcoming all existing obstacles, RAKUB will move forward. The bank authorities claim that RAKUB wishes to maintain this recent progress in financial indicators and play a more effective role in the development of agriculture and farmers, committing to stand by farmers in the future by implementing various agriculture-friendly programmes.