Dhaka, April 17 -- Bangladesh's banking sector, which should operate as the backbone of the economy, is struggling to regain its footing due to a profound lack of good governance and deepening financial instability.

According to the latest review by Bangladesh Bank, 17 banks failed to generate any net profit in 2024, while 11 banks gave up spending under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) altogether in 2025.

Experts view these as a clear sign of the dire state of the industry, fueled by skyrocketing non-performing loans (NPLs), weak boards, and political interference.

Masrur Reaz, Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh and former senior economist at the World Bank, told UNB that the financial health of some banks has revealed the wo...