In a concerted effort to bolster anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) operations, BRAC Bank recently organised a specialised training session aimed at its Board of Directors and senior management. The initiative sought to enhance awareness, reinforce accountability, and equip the bank’s leadership with the tools necessary to counter financial crime effectively.
The session was held at BRAC Bank’s headquarters in Dhaka and was led by Mr Md. Mofizur Rahman Khan Chowdhury, Executive Director and Acting Chief of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), alongside Ms Juerya Haque, Deputy Director of BFIU. Both trainers emphasised the “tone from the top” principle, highlighting the critical role of senior leadership in shaping organisational culture and ensuring compliance with AML/CFT frameworks.
Attendees included BRAC Bank Chairperson Meheria M Hasan, Vice Chairperson Faruq Moinuddin Ahmed, Chair of the Risk Management Committee Saleque Ahmed Abul Masrur, Chair of the Audit Committee Chowdhury MQU Sarwar, as well as Managing Director & CEO Tarek Refat Ullah Khan and other Board members.
During the session, the BFIU officials underscored several key focus areas:
Ensuring accountability at the highest leadership level
Implementing a risk-based decision-making process
Strengthening monitoring mechanisms to prevent financial crimes
Following these principles, BRAC Bank is expected to significantly enhance its ability to detect, prevent, and respond to money laundering and terrorism financing risks, aligning its operations with both national and international regulatory standards.
The table below summarises the session and participants:
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Session Location | BRAC Bank Headquarters, Dhaka |
| Objective | Raise AML/CFT awareness among Board and senior management |
| Trainers | Md. Mofizur Rahman Khan Chowdhury (Executive Director, BFIU), Juerya Haque (Deputy Director, BFIU) |
| Key Attendees | 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 authorities emphasised that such awareness sessions are pivotal not only for strengthening internal governance and risk management procedures but also for safeguarding national economic security. By cultivating a culture of vigilance and responsibility, these initiatives reinforce the bank’s commitment to transparency, regulatory compliance, and the prevention of illicit financial activities.