Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) is Bangladesh's most innovative and technologically advanced bank.

DBBL stands to give the most innovative and affordable banking products to Bangladesh. Amongst banks, DBBL is the largest donor in to social causes in Bangladesh. It stands as one of the largest private donors involved in improving the country. DBBL is proud to be associated with helping Bangladesh as well as being a leader in the country's banking sector

Foundation: Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (the Bank, DBBL) is a scheduled joint venture commercial bank between local Bangladeshi parties spearheaded by M Sahabuddin Ahmed (Founder & Chairman) and the Dutch company FMO. DBBL was established under the Bank Companies Act 1991 and incorporated as a public limited company under the Companies Act 1994 in Bangladesh with the primary objective to carry on all kinds of banking business in Bangladesh. DBBL commenced formal operation from June 3, 1996. The Bank is listed with the Dhaka Stock Exchange Limited and Chittagong Stock Exchange Limited. DBBL is most widely recognized for its donations to social causes and its IT investment (largest ATM network). However it has recently stated that it will stop expansion on its ATM network as the current numbers have exceeded demand and hence diminishing returns (if any). Although it is widely believed it is a lossmaking/subsidized unit which DBBL rationalizes as quasi CSR. The bank is often colloquially referred to as "DBBL", "Dutch Bangla" and "Dutch Bangla Bank"

Vision of Dutch Bangla Bank Limited: Dutch-Bangla Bank dreams of better Bangladesh, where arts and letters, sports and athletics, music and entertainment, science and education, health and hygiene, clean and pollution free environment and above all a society based on morality and ethics make all our lives worth living. DBBL's essence and ethos rest on a cosmos of creativity and the marvelmagic of a charmed life that abounds with spirit of life and adventures that contributes towards human development.

Mission of Dutch Bangla Bank Limited: Dutch-Bangla Bank engineers enterprise and creativity in business and industry with a commitment to social responsibility. "Profits alone" do not hold a central focus in the Bank's operation; because "man does not live by bread and butter alone".

Core Objective of Dutch Bangla Bank Limited: Dutch-Bangla Bank believes in its uncompromising commitment to fulfill its customer needs and satisfaction and to become their first choice in banking. Taking cue from its pool esteemed clientele, Dutch-Bangla Bank intends to pave the way for a new era in banking that upholds and epitomizes its vaunted marquees "Your Trusted Partner"

Banking After instability and frequent management changes in its initial years, DBBL overcame these obstacles to establish rapid growth since the year 2000. The bank grew its reputation through social work rather than profits. The bank's conservative nature, long-term strategies, hefty social donations and technology investments have always led to modest but steady profits. DBBL has been known to be overly conservative in its banking practices. Much of the success and strategy has been attributed to the leadership of the founder chairman, M Sahabuddin Ahmed. Despite being the largest corporate donor in Bangladesh, investor confidence was unhindered. In March 2008, DBBL share prices reached Tk. 14325.80 in the Dhaka Stock Exchange, setting the record for the highest stock price in the history of Bangladesh. It is also one of the few banks that do not participate in merchant/investment banking (which can lead to sporadic growth).

Dutch Bangla Bank is noted to be the first and only local bank in Bangladesh to have an automated banking system. The bank has spent over BDT 2 Billion in automation upgrades (first bank in Bangladesh to do so). This automation took place in 2003 whereby services of the bank were available uniformly though any branch, ATM and internet. Banking was a paper based until DBBL, with its wide local network, delivered banking automation and modern banking services to the masses. This effectively introduced the 'plastic money' concept into the Bangladeshi society. The

entire automation system was imported and is the most expensive banking related IT project in Bangladesh. The ATM count stood at 140 eclipsing other networks by a large margin. This rapid increase in DBBL's ATM network has led the majority of other banks to sign sharing agreements instead of pursuing their own ATM network. In 2006, Dutch Bangla Bank ventured into the realm of personal cr by offering automatic cr facilities to its Debit card (DBBL Nexus) holders. It also continued expanding its ATM network with the intention of installing more than 400 machines, even though it is widely believed that the ATM division will not break even and is a setback to the profit margins. In 2007 the bank entered a strategic alliance with Citibank NA, where both parties will provide retail banking services of DBBL for its employees and owners of Citibank corporate customers in Bangladesh. In the same year DBBL became the first bank in Bangladesh to offer SMS Banking services. DBBL maintained a proprietary policy on its ATM network until 2007. This was changed when DBBL and Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) signed an agreement that will let SCB use DBBL's ATM network. Thus ends the unhealthy competition between the organizations. This sharing invitation was extended to all other banks shortly after. Number of DBBL ATMs eclipsed the 200 mark. In 2010 most sharing agreements with foreign banks have been abruptly rendered invalid due Visa card's new policies enforced upon DBBL. In response to Visa's decision to terminate its ATM facilities with DBBL, Union pay approached DBBL to convert the entire retail network to accept Unionpay cards. DBBL and Unionpay have decided for a major nationwide launch to make Unionpay the single largest card issuer in Bangladesh. Many agreements with foreign banks have been rendered

ATM Network/DBBL Nexus Participating Banks DBBL maintains its own network and automation without the involvement/assistance of any third party companies. Access to ATM services is free for DBBL clients. Partner banks are charged a subsidized

Tk. 10, although the end price for the customer may be higher due to the extra charges levied by the partner bank. DBBL has over 870 ATM's installed all over Bangladesh, making it the largest network by a large margin. In 2009 DBBL announced the biggest its biggest expansion goal for its network. The total number of ATMs will be 850 by the end of 2009 to cater the needs of customers at their doorsteps. It also hinted that this may be the last ATM expansion due to the increasing costs of subsidizing such a system, but clearly stated that it has no intention of introducing any charges. On the digital day (10/10/10), the DBBL inaugurated its (digital) 1000th ATM at the factory premises of the GlaxoSmithKline, Chittagong.

Banks that have signed agreements to share DBBL's ATM network (as of May 2009): Citibank (locally known as "Citibank NA") Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Commercial Bank of Ceylon Mutual Trust Bank Bank Asia National Cr and Commerce Bank Limited (NCC Bank) Prime Bank United Commercial Bank Limited (UCBL) Southeast Bank Limited (SEBL) The City Bank (locally known as "City Bank" to differentiate between "Citibank NA") First Security Bank Trust Bank Mercantile Bank Dhaka Bank EXIM Bank Q-Cash network Banks 1. Janata Bank 2. Eastern Bank 3. IFIC Bank 4. AB Bank 5. Shahjalal Islami Bank

6. Basic Bank 7. Jamuna Bank 8. Mercantile Bank 9. National Bank 10. National Cr and Commerce Bank 11. Pubali Bank 12. Sonali Bank 13. Trust Bank 14. Uttara Bank 15. State Bank of India 16. The City Bank 17. Social Islami Bank Automation Services for Banks & co-branded ATMs Dutch-Bangla Bank initiated a co-branded ATM initiative in Bangladesh where the bank would provide ATMs and networking free of charge to any bank's branches. Mutual Trust Bank was the first bank to take advantage and the first co-branded ATM in Bangladesh started operation on 28 May 2008. In 2008, Dutch-Bangla Bank started offering full banking automation services to other banks where without any investment or technical knowledge, member banks can automate themselves in matter of months using DBBL's infrastructure (this includes required hardware, card issuance, ATM usage & switching software).

Fast Track CDM services are not new in Bangladesh, but the augmentation by DBBL is really amazing. DBBL already has the countrys largest ATM network. Though their services at their branches are not very satisfactory they have made significant improvements in introducing/using technologies in Banking. One reason of their poor customer services at branches may be they do mass banking rather than priority banking like some banks specially the foreign banks. However, in comparison to fees those banks take, DBBL is not much bad.

Most interesting is that, they know about their poor customer service and they can feel it. Thats why they are trying to provide services even outside their branches. Their recent introduction of Fast Track will enable to go to the branches rarely. The majority of the tasks with bank are deposit and withdrawal of money. A customer would need to go to branches occasionally. However, sometimes they had to go to deposit cash but I always afraid of their long queue. Fast Track reduced the necessity of going to branch. One can now deposit from the fast track and they also accept deposits longer time than branch.

During the Q1 of 2010, Dutch Bangla Bank Ltd. introduced "Fast Track" in the country. Fast Track is first of its kind in the country that is like a mini branch. Along with the generic ATM withdrawal service, it lets the customer deposit small amounts of money to DBBL account! The limit is currently 20,000 BDT. Moreover, the Fast Track also provides account opening service and loan information. As on 10 October 2010, DBBL has installed 50 numbers of Fast Tracks in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet cities.

Some information about Fast Track One can withdraw money 24 hours. There are multiple ATM booths in each Fast Track. One can deposit money from 9am to 10pm. One can deposit up to 20,000 BDT at Fast Track. This policy is appreciated as other big clients will rush here causing problems to small customers like me. They are open all day except Friday and government holidays. That mean, usually, you can bank on Saturday too. Hurray! One can open account from here. One can discuss about SME loan here. One wont have to pay any fees for depositing money. Their branches charge fee when one deposit in account from outer zone of account. But it is fully free at Fast Track.

Must Remember: The Fast Track is not alternative to branch. Still there are necessities that one has to go to branch. Till now, one cant deposit check in Fast Track, only cash. But their software has such feature. So, we may expect more very soon. One should also remember that money deposited through Fast Track wont be deposited to respective account instantly. It will be deposited during soonest evening. So, when one need money immediately in account, one must not use Fast Track. One must take a receipt after you deposit the money and keep it secure until account reflects the deposit A staff will be available there. He/she will help you doing the tasks. So, take help from his/her if one needs. Update (July 12, 2010) Known Fast Track Locations 1. Mohakhali (just beside of rail crossing) 2. Malibagh (on the right side of the road to Kakrail/Shantinagar) 3. Shantinagar (about 200 meters from Malibagh Fast track. 4. Jatrabari 5. Gulshan (Gulshan 2, Opposite of Landmark) 6. Dhanmondi (Probably near Rasel Square, not sure) 7. New Market (as per comment of Nezam) 8. opkhana Road

Internet Payment On 3 June 2010, Dutch Bangla Bank Ltd. announced to allow internet payments system. Using their Internet Payment Gateway merchants will be able to charge their customers' Visa, Masters, DBBL Nexus and Maestro cards. This is going to be revolutionizing the e-commerce in Bangladesh!

Any Visa/MasterCard cardholder (local or overseas) can use their cards to pay at a number of e-Merchants against their purchase of goods. They can also pay DESCO electricity bills. DBBL is working with airlines, railways,

Utility companies, educational institutions and Stock Exchanges for facilitating purchase of ticket, payment of bills/fees and IPO subscription through the Internet Payment Gateway. It is also working to make an interface with the PayPAL. Once everything in operation, this will change the payment mechanism in Bangladesh and will reduce public suffering.

Currently DBBL is giving this service to exclusively selected merchants. If one has an online service where you take payment, DBBL may consider. One needs to contact them and send his/her company overview. They will decide to choose or not to choose. They will charge 3% for payments using DBBL cards and 5% for Visa/Master cards. This charge will be charged from the seller. The net amount will be credited to sellers account which means, obviously, one must have account with Dutch Bangla Bank at his/her company name. The system is pretty like other online gateways. Customers will be redirected to DBBLs gateway from your checkout page and enter asked details. After they charge the card, they will send the user back to your site. Approved merchant will have to sit with their technical team to understand the flow.

Social Work Dutch Bangla Bank supports social work extensively and is one of the largest private donors in Bangladesh. Under the vision of M Sahabuddin Ahmed, the bank contributes extensively through its foundation Dutch Bangla Bank Foundation. This has been one of the biggest priorities for the bank since its inception. As a result the organization has been granted numerous national and international awards for its role in the development of Bangladesh. The Dutch-Bangla Bank Foundation was established under the vision of its founder chairman, M Sahabuddin Ahmed, in order to help the people of Bangladesh. DBBL is the largest corporate donor in Bangladesh with total donations exceeding BDT 1.3 billion.

The bank donates mainly towards social awareness programs, medical and educational fields. Notably DBBL also maintains the largest

scholarship program in Bangladesh whereby college/university education tuition and expenses are fully paid for unconditionally by the bank. In 2007, the bank won the Bangladesh Business Awards for being the 'Best Financial Institution' mainly for its commitment to technology and community service. In 2007 alone, DBBL donated BDT 220 million towards social causes. Recently they made donation of Tk. 40 million in a Cancer Hospital, Tk. 3.1 million for acid and dowry victims. DBBL Donated Tk 9.73cr this year for Dhaka University Research Centre. They distribute blankets every year and have a scholarship program too. DBBL has declared a Tk 1.0 billion scholarship project, which will cover 30,000 needy but meritorious students every year by 2016 another. They are supporting recently supporting HIV positives. Dutch-Bangla Bank Research Center In 2008, DBBL announced a donation of Tk 100 million to fund the construction of an 11 storey research center, titled "Dutch-Bangla Bank Research Centre for Advanced Research in Arts and Social Sciences" at the Dhaka University campus in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was Dhaka University's largest ever donation from a private company. The research center, which would be the first of its kind in Bangladesh, will be supervised by renowned teachers, scholars and researchers. It will also award scholarship to researchers and scholars at home and abroad.

Mobile Banking Mobile banking is a banking process that offers financial services like cash deposit, cash withdrawal, merchant payment, utility payment, salary disbursement, remittance inflow and outflow and government allowance disbursement through mobile gadgets. Bangladesh entered into the era of mobile-banking when Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd (DBBL) introduced the service for the first time in the country with the support of mobile phone operators Banglalink and Citycell. The aim of the service is to bring more people under the umbrella of banking service. Initially the government has given its approval to 10 banks to operate mobile-banking. DBBL is the first bank to grasp the opportunity. Under the

service, any mobile handset with subscription to any of the two partner cellular companies would be able to avail the service. Bangladeshs banking system is mostly urban-based, so introduction of this kind of service will help bring rural people into banking service net as they have easy access to mobile. Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) has spread mobile banking service expanding the banking service from cities to remote areas. Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman inaugurated the service by depositing Tk 2,000 and withdrawing Tk 1,500 through Banglalink and Citycell mobile networks in Motijheel area. Bangladesh Bank has already allowed 10 banks to initiate mobile banking. Of them DBBL kicked off first.

Mobile banking is an alternative to the traditional banking through which banking service can be reached at the doorsteps of the deprived section of the society, the central bank governor said at an inaugural press briefing at Hotel Purbani. Atiur Rahman said through mobile banking various banking services including depositing and withdrawing money, payment of utility bills and reaching remittance to the recipient would be possible.

By going to the DBBL-approved Citycell and Banglalink agents throughout the country the subscribers on showing necessary papers and payment of a fee of Tk 10 can open an account. To avail of the banking service a subscriber will require owning a cell phone of any provider and he will be given a four-digit PIN number. By using the PIN number he can operate all types of banking services including depositing and withdrawing money maintaining security and secrecy of his account. The customer will hand over cash to the agent and the agent will initiate the transaction from his mobile phone, the agent will help the account holder to do the banking using his PIN number. A customer can deposit or withdraw money five times a day and he can deposit or draw Tk 5,000 per day. One percent of the transaction account or Tk 5, whichever is higher, will be taken as cash-in-charges. In case of cash out the charge will be 2 percent of the transaction amount or Tk 10.However, the registration fee, salary and remittance disbursement services will be provided free of cost.

Reference: Google Wikipedia The Daily Star DBBL official website