Ansar-VDP Development Bank is moving forward with reforms to transform itself into a modern, transparent and people-friendly financial institution, said Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force and Chairman of the bank.
He made the remarks on Thursday while inaugurating the bank’s Dhaka Divisional Office in Savar. The Bhola branch was also inaugurated through a video conference at the event.
Highlighting the bank’s role in improving the socioeconomic conditions of nearly 6 million members directly associated with Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force, the Director General said the institution could play a greater role in the country’s overall economic development.
He said comprehensive reform efforts began about two years ago following the July mass uprising, when the bank was facing institutional limitations, mismanagement and losses of around Tk 40 crore. Continuous reforms are now underway to turn it into an efficient, transparent and modern financial institution.
The reforms include digitalisation, recruitment of skilled human resources, improving employees’ professional capacity and introducing modern management systems, he said.
The Director General also highlighted the **‘Sanjibani’ project**, aimed at supporting overseas employment of Ansar members, renewable energy initiatives—particularly solar systems—and broader socioeconomic development. The bank will serve as a key financial partner in implementing the project.
He said government development initiatives, the skills and entrepreneurship of Ansar members, and financial support from the bank would be combined under a “triple model” to create self-employment opportunities, increase incomes and strengthen members’ economic capacity.
On governance, Mahmud said clear eligibility criteria have been established for accessing bank services, preventing unauthorised individuals from obtaining benefits outside the approved policy framework. This, he said, has improved transparency and reduced opportunities for irregularities.
He urged bank officials and employees to use their skills, professionalism and sense of responsibility to achieve institutional goals and stressed the importance of good governance, technology-based services, skilled human-resource management, effective use of loans and strong financial management.
At the programme, three Ansar members received loan cheques worth Tk 200,000 each as an example of the bank’s role in supporting members’ socioeconomic development, self-employment and financial empowerment.
Managing Director of Ansar-VDP Development Bank Mir Mofazzal Hossain, senior officials of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force, and officials from the bank and related organisations attended the event.
