History & Heritage
National Bank Limited has its prosperous past, glorious present, prospective future and under processing projects and activities. Established as the first private sector bank fully owned by Bangladeshi entrepreneurs, NBL has been flourishing as the largest private sector Bank with the passage of time after facing many stress and strain. The members of the board of directors are creative businessmen and leading industrialists of the country. To keep pace with time and in harmony with national and international economic activities and for rendering all modern services, NBL, as a financial institution, automated all its branches with computer networks in accordance with the competitive commercial demand of time. Moreover, considering its forth-coming future, the infrastructure of the Bank has been rearranging. The expectation of all class businessmen, entrepreneurs, and the general public is much more to NBL. At present, we have 221 branches and 65 sub branches. In addition, our effective and diversified approach to seize the market opportunities is going on a continuous process to accommodate new customers by developing and expanding rural, SME financing and offshore banking facilities.
The emergence of National Bank Limited in the private sector was an important event in the Banking arena of Bangladesh. When the nation was in the grip of severe recession, the government took the farsighted decision to allow the private sector to revive the economy of the country. Several dynamic entrepreneurs came forward for establishing a bank with a motto to revitalize the economy of the country.
National Bank Limited was born as the first hundred percent Bangladeshi owned Bank in the private sector. From the very inception, it was the firm determination of National Bank Limited playing a vital role in the national economy. We are determined to bring back the long forgotten taste of banking services and flavors. We want to serve each one promptly and with a sense of dedication and dignity.
The then President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Justice Ahsanuddin Chowdhury inaugurated the bank formally on March 28, 1983, but the first branch at 48, Dilkusha Commercial Area, Dhaka started commercial operation on March 23, 1983. The 2nd Branch was opened on 11th May 1983 at Khatungonj, Chittagong.
At present, NBL has been carrying on business through its 221 branches & 65 sub branches spread all over the country. Since the very beginning, the bank has exerted much emphasis on overseas operations and handled a sizable quantum of homebound foreign remittance. It has drawing arrangements with 415 correspondents in 75 countries of the world, as well as with 53 overseas Exchange Companies located in 13 countries. NBL was the first domestic bank to establish agency arrangements with the world famous Western Union in order to facilitate quick and safe remittance of the valuable foreign exchanges earned by the expatriate Bangladeshi nationals. This has meant that the expatriates can remit their hard-earned money to the country with much ease, confidence, safety and speed.
NBL was also the first among domestic banks to introduce international Mastercard in Bangladesh. In the meantime, NBL has also introduced the Visa Card and Power Card. The Bank has in its use the latest information technology services of SWIFT and REUTERS. NBL has been continuing its small credit program for disbursement of collateral free agricultural loans among the poor farmers of Barindra area in Rajshahi district for improving their livelihood.
NBL focused on all key areas covering capital adequacy, maintaining good asset quality, sound management, satisfactory earnings, and liquidity. As a consequence, it was possible to a record growth of 175.51 percent with Tk. 8,809.40 million pre-tax profit in the year under review over the preceding year. The net profit after tax and provision stood at Tk. 6,860.34 million which was Tk. 2,070.47 million in the previous year registering a 231.34 percent rise. The total deposits increased to Tk. 102,471.83 million being 33.37 percent increase over the preceding year. Loans and advances stood at Tk.92,003.56 million in the year under report which was Tk. 65,129.289 million representing 41.26 percent rise over the preceding year. Foreign trade stood at Tk. 144,255.00 million in 2010 compared to Tk. 115,939.00 million, increased by 24.42 percent compared to that of the previous year. During 2010, the bank handled inward remittance of Tk. 49,145.30 million, 10.73 percent higher than that of the previous year. Return on Equity (ROE) registered a 77.84 percent rise over the preceding year.
National Bank, has now acquired strength and expertise to support the banking needs of the foreign investors. NBL stepped into a new arena of business and opened its Off Shore Banking Unit at Mohakhali to serve the wage earners and the foreign investors better than before.
Since its inception, the bank was aware of complying with Corporate Social Responsibility. In this direction, we have remained associated with the development of education, healthcare and have sponsored sporting and cultural activities. During times of natural disasters like floods, cyclones, landslides, we have extended our hand to mitigate the sufferings of victims. It established the National Bank Foundation in 1989 to remain involved with social welfare activities. The foundation runs the NBL Public School & College at West Dhanmondi where present enrolment is 1140. Besides awarding the scholarship to the meritorious children of the employees, the bank has also extended financial support for their education. It also provided financial assistance to the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh at the time of their publication of Banglapedia and observance of 400 years of Dhaka City.
The Transparency and accountability of a financial institution are reflected in its Annual Report containing its Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Account. In recognition of this, NBL was awarded Crest in 1999 and 2000, and Certificate of Appreciation in 2001 by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh.
The bank has a strong team of highly qualified and experienced professionals, together with an efficient Board of Directors who play a vital role in formulating and implementing policies.