Sonali Bank slow in implementing CBS

Sonali Bank, which has the largest network of branches in Bangladesh, is yet to adopt the core banking solution fully despite repeated pressure from the central bank and the government to do so to deliver better services to its customers.

The CBS system enables a bank's customers to use services from any of its branches, regardless of which branch they maintain their accounts with. The customers will no more be tied to a particular branch.

"Sonali will have to implement the CBS system this year," a senior Bangladesh Bank official said.

Of the seven other state banks, Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank are also struggling to adopt the CBS system.

As of now, all 39 private banks and the nine foreign banks operating in Bangladesh have adopted the CBS system. Even the nine new banks that started operations in 2013 have done it as well.

Of Sonali's 1,208 branches, only 540 are running the CBS system.

"We are working to connect all branches through the CBS this year, but the recent spate of cyber attacks slowed our work," said Mofazzal Hossain, general manager and chief information officer of Sonali Bank.

Hossain claimed that Sonali is a very big bank, so it needs more time to become fully automated.

Bangladesh Krishi Bank, which has 1,031 branches across the country, is lagging behind significantly in adopting the CBS as well.

MA Yousoof, managing director of Bangladesh Krishi Bank, said they have submitted a plan to the BB for implementing CBS in 400 branches this year, but so far only 100 was made CBS-enabled.

"The CBS system will be introduced to another 60 branches next week. We will be able to implement CBS in all our branches located in prime areas," he added.

As of December 31, 2015, only 25 of Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan's branches are CBS-run.

Janata, Agrani and Bangladesh Development banks are on the way to fully implementing the CBS by the year-end, according to BB.