The Government of Bangladesh has confirmed the appointment of Ikhtiar Uddin Mohammad Mamun as the new Head of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). A veteran administrator from the National Board of Revenue (NBR), Mr Mamun transitions to this crucial regulatory role from his previous position as a Tax Commissioner.
Status and Terms of Appointment
The appointment was formalised on Monday, 12 January 2026, through a gazette notification issued by the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance. Under the signature of Deputy Secretary Mohammad Abraul Hasan Mazumder, the government has accorded Mr Mamun the rank and prestige of a Deputy Governor of the Bangladesh Bank.
His tenure is set for a fixed term of two years, commencing from his date of joining. To maintain the integrity and impartiality required of the nation’s chief financial watchdog, the appointment is conditional upon Mr Mamun relinquishing all previous professional affiliations and commercial interests.
The Statutory Framework for Oversight
The BFIU serves as the central agency for the coordination of anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) efforts. The appointment of its leadership is dictated by rigorous legal standards to ensure institutional independence.
| Feature | Statutory/Regulatory Detail |
| Enabling Act | Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 (Amended 2015) |
| Governing Clause | Section 24 (1) (D) |
| Operational Rules | Money Laundering Prevention Rules, 2019 (Rule 22) |
| Rank Equivalency | Deputy Governor, Bangladesh Bank |
| Appointment Type | Contractual (Full-time) |
Strategic Implications for Financial Governance
Mr Mamun’s background as a Tax Commissioner is viewed as a strategic asset. His expertise in fiscal auditing and revenue oversight is expected to bridge the gap between tax evasion detection and the broader fight against illicit capital flight. As the BFIU chief, he will lead the analysis of suspicious transaction reports (STRs) and cash transaction reports (CTRs) submitted by banks and other financial institutions.
His appointment comes at a juncture where Bangladesh is intensifying its efforts to meet international compliance standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Economic analysts suggest that under his leadership, the BFIU will likely focus on:
Combating ‘Hundi’ Networks: Curbing informal and illegal money transfer channels.
Asset Recovery: Working with international partners to trace and repatriate laundered wealth.
Digital Surveillance: Enhancing the BFIU’s technological capacity to monitor high-frequency electronic transactions.
By elevating the position to the status of a Deputy Governor, the government has ensured that the BFIU possesses the administrative authority necessary to command cooperation from both private sector banks and state law enforcement agencies.