Mutual Trust Bank Ltd. (MTB) has recently been recognized as the “Market Leader” in “Diversity and Inclusion” Category while “Highly Regarded” in two categories, i.e. CSR & Digital Solutions as part of the 2022 Euromoney Market Leader Survey.
Conducted by Euromoney and Asiamoney respectively, the surveys aggregate and analyse independent client responses. Divided into quantitative and qualitative sections, each survey asks clients to comment on their use of trade finance services and nominate their top providers. Providers who meet the criteria and necessary provisions of having the greatest market share globally, regionally, and locally are designated as Market Leaders or Highly Regarded in their respective fields. Clients are also asked to evaluate the quality of service provided by financial institutions as part of the survey. The 2022 surveys saw responses from over 10,700 individual clients – emphasising MTB’s strong presence in and contribution to the Diversity and Inclusion, CSR and Digital spaces.
On that note, Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director & CEO of the bank says, the greatest asset of any financial institution is the trust placed in us by our clients and the communities we serve. We are humbled to be recognised as Market Leader for Diversity and Inclusion and Highly Regarded for CSR and Digital Solutions by the Euromoney and Asiamoney Surveys based on clients’ feedback, which is a testament to the trust earned over 22 years of uninterrupted service in Bangladesh. As one of the longest standing partners in progress to Bangladesh, it has been our mission to be the trusted growth partner of the country. MTB has implemented a series of initiatives to achieve true diversity, equality and inclusion within the bank and outside which pioneered the bank in this sector. With the tagline ‘Schoole jete durotto jeno badha na hoy’, MTB is running a unique campaign “Swapno Sarathi” and distributed 1,600 bicycles amongst school-going girls in deep-rural areas. We experienced exceptional growth in the digital front led by a series of industry-defining digital solutions since January 2021. Our customers now can avail almost all banking services through MTB Banking App, branch visit is not required. We are working on building a Phygital business model across the country. All in all, the last two years have seen us grow and evolve to meet client and community needs – and I am excited to keep doing just that in the coming months and years.
MTB initiated and implemented diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives irrespective of the age, gender, disability, race and ethnicity, and social class, within the bank and outside which positioned the bank as a pioneer. The bank is committed to raising its own gender-equality – particularly at the top management levels, 15% of its women are in executive positions – but also to finance companies with similar goals through its dedicated MTB Angona business wing. This unit dedicatedly works for the empowerment of the women segment of the country by providing access to our simplified banking solutions for ensuring their financial independence. While Bank’s own Aporajita forum is working to create a conclusive culture that promotes equal opportunities for female employees to excel in their careers. In addition to its maternity leave policies for employees, MTB offers seven days of paternity leave for the new fathers to perform their paternal duties. MTB views this as its contribution to fostering more equal distribution of family responsibilities. Earlier, the Bank has also been awarded the “Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion in Bangladesh 2022” by AsiaMoney for the same cause.
MTB has been giving “Bravery and Courage” award since 2012 to recognize the selfless individual/collective life saving bravery acts. At the outset of COVID-19 pandemic, the bank had created the MTB COVID-19 DONATION FUND worth Tk. 14.50 million, 70% contribution was made by all MTBians and the rest was the honorarium of MTB Board of Directors.
The bank is going through a massive digital-transformation from 2019 led by a series of industry-trending-setting digital initiatives/solutions. Even before the world halted by COVID-19, MTB had envisioned a different future and that future vision is introducing “Branchless Banking in Bangladesh ” through the digitalization of the bank’s delivery channels. MEasy is the brainchild of this bank’s digital vision. It is a platform for branchless banking. MEasy is designed in such a way to ensure the end-to-end digital processing of customers’ all banking services.
MTB is equally focused on spreading the benefits of Bangladesh’s rapid GDP growth. MTB exceeded the agri-loan disbursement target set by Bangladesh Bank in fiscal year 2021 by lending to 45,000 customers. Of the disbursed loans, 78% went to 32,768 female customers. MTB is also prioritizing cluster financing. In 2021, for example, MTB extended financing support to the micro-enterprises of the Pathrail Handloom Cluster in the Tangail district, a promising center for woven clothes. There, around 50 entrepreneurs are producing traditional Sarees and Salwar Kameez. A sum of Tk. 14.90 million (around US$160 thousand) at a 4% preferential interest rate was disbursed to this cluster.
Euromoney is an English-language monthly magazine focused on business and finance. First published in 1969, it is the flagship production of global media group Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. Euromoney covers global banking, macroeconomics, and capital markets, including debt and equity. The magazine features comment, profiles and interviews with chief executives and senior figures in finance. Euromoney publishes the Euromoney Trade Finance Survey, a global survey, which recognizes the leading providers of trade finance products and services.
Established in 1989, Asiamoney, is a financial publication focused on publishing content related to business and finance. Asiamoney provides stakeholders with relevant insights, reports, and analyses. Content published by Asiamoney typically pertains to finance and business developments in the Asia Pacific region. Asiamoney is part of global media group Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. Asiamoney publishes the Asiamoney Trade Finance Survey, a global survey, which recognizes the leading providers of trade finance products and services.