Dhaka, Feb. 13 -- Despite some banks maintaining provision surpluses, the provision deficit across the country's banking sector remains high at Tk 192.61 billion, according to central bank statistics.

Besides, the provision deficit of the seven private and state-owned commercial banks (SCBs) reached a staggering Tk 241.86 billion as of December last year, Bangladesh Bank has said in a report.

However, there is a glimmer of hope as this deficit has decreased by Tk 60.10 billion in just three months.

This provision shortfall remains high as banks failed to meet the fundamental security obligations in banking operations, indicating a deteriorating financial health of the sector.

According to the statistics, three of the SCBs have a loan-...