BRAC Bank has taken a significant step to bolster its defences against financial crime by hosting an advanced training session on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT). The initiative was designed to heighten awareness among board members and senior management, reinforce accountability at the top, and equip leadership with the expertise required to detect, prevent, and respond to illicit financial activities.
The session was held at BRAC Bank’s headquarters in Dhaka and was led by senior officials from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). Md. Mofizur Rahman Khan Chowdhury, Executive Director and former Head of BFIU, alongside Zuweriya Haque, Deputy Director of BFIU, conducted the training. Both emphasised the pivotal principle of “Tone from the Top,” highlighting that the commitment and conduct of senior leadership directly influence organisational culture and adherence to AML and CFT standards.
Among the attendees were BRAC Bank’s highest-ranking officials, including Chairperson Meheria M. Hasan, Vice Chairperson Faruk Moinuddin Ahmed, Risk Management Committee Chair Saleque Ahmed Abul Masrur, Audit Committee Chair Chowdhury M.Q.E. Sarwar, Managing Director and CEO Tarek Refat Ullah Khan, as well as other board members.
The training session concentrated on several strategic areas:
Ensuring leadership accountability at all organisational levels
Implementing robust, risk-based decision-making frameworks
Strengthening internal monitoring systems to prevent financial crime
By focusing on these areas, BRAC Bank aims to enhance its capacity to identify and mitigate money laundering and terrorism financing risks, while ensuring compliance with both national and international regulatory standards. The bank noted that proactive leadership engagement in AML/CFT initiatives is crucial for fostering a culture of vigilance and integrity.
The key details of the training session are summarised below:
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | BRAC Bank Headquarters, Dhaka |
| Objective | Raise AML/CFT awareness among board and senior management |
| Trainers | Md. Mofizur Rahman Khan Chowdhury (Executive Director, BFIU), Zuweriya Haque (Deputy Director, BFIU) |
| Key Participants | Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Risk & Audit Committee Chairs, MD/CEO, Board Members |
| Core Focus Areas | Leadership accountability, risk-based decision-making, financial crime monitoring |
BRAC Bank officials underlined that such capacity-building initiatives are vital for strengthening internal governance, mitigating financial risks, and safeguarding national economic security. By fostering heightened responsibility and transparency at the highest levels, the bank reaffirms its steadfast commitment to regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and the prevention of financial malpractice.