ABB appoints new chairman, vice chairman

The Association of Bankers Bangladesh (ABB), the apex platform of top banking professionals in the country, has elected Mashrur Arefin as its new chairman and Mohammad Ali as vice chairman.

ABB board of governors elected them at its recent meeting, says a media release.

Mashrur Arefin, managing director and CEO of City Bank PLC, was unanimously elected as chairman of ABB for the interim period until the association’s next annual General Meeting (AGM).

This change in leadership follows the resignation of former ABB chairman Selim R F Hussain, who stepped down as managing director and CEO of BRAC Bank PLC recently. 

At the same meeting, Mohammad Ali, managing director and CEO of Pubali Bank PLC, was elected as vice chairman of ABB. Abul Kashem Mohammed Shirin, managing director and CEO of Dutch Bangla Bank PLC, will continue to serve as vice chairman as well.

Mashrur began his banking career in 1995 as a Management Trainee at ANZ Grindlays Bank. Over his 30-year banking career, he has worked with leading institutions including Standard Chartered Bank in Qatar, ANZ’s head office in Melbourne, American Express Bank, Citibank N.A., etc. He has been serving as the MD & CEO of City Bank for the past six years. He was holding the position of vice chairman of ABB for nearly four years before this new appointment. Beyond banking, he is also widely recognised as a writer and translator.

Mohammad Ali joined Pubali Bank in 2008 as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). He rose through the ranks to become Deputy Managing Director in 2016 and Additional Managing Director in 2020, before being appointed as the bank's MD & CEO. Over the years, he has also served as Chief Operating Officer, CAMLCO, Chief Risk Officer, and Chairman of the bank's Credit Committee. Under his leadership, Pubali Bank has experienced unprecedented growth in profitability. Prior to his election as ABB vice chairman, he was an active member of ABB’s governing body.