BRAC Bank leaders called for preparedness to face the risks likely to surface in the future as the bank organised its "Annual Risk Conference 2024".

Veteran bankers and experts weighed in on unseen risks, especially in the digital banking ecosystem and cyberspace, as the banking sector navigates challenges of constantly evolving risks.

More than 1,000 employees, including branch managers, branch operations managers and other senior officials, participated in the daylong conference at the bank's head office in the capital's Gulshan in person and through virtual platforms, according to a press release.

They discussed ways to reexamine the existing risk management framework and making it future-ready to withstand risk emergencies.

The bank organises a risk conference annually to raise awareness of risks in daily banking operations and to find effective ways to overcome them.

Commenting on the conference, Meheriar M Hasan, chairperson of the bank, said: "Banks often come across many risks in day-to-day banking operations. We must upskill our people in risk management to handle them effectively and efficiently.

"We think capacity building through such knowledge-sharing is essential to combatting the risks. We have organised this conference particularly for frontline workers who directly come across risks."

Zahid Hussain, independent director of the bank, presented a keynote on the macroeconomic outlook.

Salek Ahmed Abul Masrur, independent director and chairman of the board risk management committee, said: "As a value-based organisation, BRAC Bank' inculcates in its co-workers the knowledge of risk management to ensure good governance.

"We will continue to organise knowledge-sharing sessions to augment our co-workers' risk management capability under Bangladesh Bank's guidance," he added.

"With continuous awareness initiatives, we aim to become a role model in risk management and compliance in the banking industry."

Faruq Mayeenuddin Ahmed, vice-chairperson of the bank, and Selim RF Hussain, managing director and CEO, participated in a panel discussion titled "Banking Sector Outlook and Way Forward".

Shahidul Islam, chief executive officer of VIPB Asset Management, and Ahmed Rashid Joy, deputy managing director and chief risk officer of the bank, were also present.