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Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur has urged state-owned Sonali Bank PLC to take a more active role in lending and operate in line with the true spirit of a commercial bank.

Speaking at Sonali Bank’s Annual Conference 2026 in Dhaka on Monday, the central bank chief said the bank remains overly cautious in approving loans, a stance he said does not reflect commercial banking practices.

Sonali Bank, he noted, has continued to mobilise a large volume of deposits but has fallen short in channeling those funds into productive investment that could accelerate socioeconomic growth.

“It is not a sustainable banking model despite making remarkable growth in operating profits,” he said, stressing that stronger loan activities are essential if the bank is to fulfil its commercial mandate and support broader economic development.