At a time when Bangladesh's Islamic banking sector is reeling from deepening crises, merger pressures and a devastating erosion of public confidence caused by corruption, financial irregularities and massive loan scandals, Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC on Sunday celebrated its 25th anniversary with a striking message of resilience, stability and sustained growth.
While several Islamic banks are struggling to survive under merger and acquisition processes backed by emergency central bank support, Shahjalal Islami Bank marked its Silver Jubilee claiming strong operational performance, robust deposit growth and unwavering customer confidence - a rare success story in an industry battered by instability.
"Our long journey of growth is nothing but a reflection of the trust and confidence of our customers, our commitment to complete Shariah-based banking and the credibility of our services," said Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Managing Director of the bank, ahead of the Silver Jubilee celebrations.
"In most financial indicators, our growth remains impressive because we never compromise on professionalism and remain committed to ensuring customer satisfaction," he told The Daily Observer.
The bank's performance stands out sharply against the backdrop of mounting uncertainty in the Islamic banking sector, where several institutions are grappling with liquidity stress, weak governance and declining depositor confidence following years of alleged fund embezzlement and financial misconduct.
As of April 30, 2026, Shahjalal Islami Bank's total deposits reached Tk31,000 crore, while total investments stood at around Tk30,000 crore, underscoring what the bank described as a strong and stable financial base at a time when confidence in many Islamic lenders has been severely shaken.
Bangladesh Bank has already injected capital support into several troubled Islamic banks undergoing restructuring and merger processes in an effort to prevent wider systemic fallout.
"Our deposit and investment products are continuously being redesigned to remain customer-friendly and up to date with changing market demands," the CEO said.
The bank's financial credibility also received a boost from Emerging Credit Rating Limited, which awarded Shahjalal Islami Bank a long-term credit rating of AA+ and a short-term rating of ST-1.
Over the years, the bank has also received recognition from prestigious professional and financial institutions, including Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh, Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh, Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Bangladesh and South Asian Federation of Accountants, alongside a Sustainable Rating award from Bangladesh Bank.
"We could not have reached this position without the support and goodwill of our customers, stakeholders, sponsors, regulators and the media," Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said.
A veteran banker with more than three decades of experience, he highlighted the bank's expertise in financial operations, risk management, capital markets and strategic planning, saying the institution remains determined to protect customer trust at all costs.
As part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations, Qur'an Khatam and Doa Mahfil programmes were organised at branches and sub-branches across the country, where special prayers were offered for the welfare and prosperity of Bangladesh.
The bank also arranged a press conference at its corporate head office and unveiled 12 new SME investment products aimed at expanding access to Shariah-compliant financing for entrepreneurs and businesses.
The celebration programme was attended by Mohammed Younus as chief guest, alongside Vice-Chairman Mohiuddin Ahmed and other directors and senior officials of the bank.
Expressing gratitude to customers and employees, Mohammed Younus said the bank has been contributing significantly to Bangladesh's agriculture, trade, industry, infrastructure and broader economic development since launching operations in 2001.
"We are proud to be partners in the country's sustainable development and prosperity," he said. "Our goal is to continue delivering modern banking services and innovative halal financial products to people in every corner of the country."
Founded on May 10, 2001, Shahjalal Islami Bank now operates through 142 branches, five sub-branches, a Priority Banking Unit, an Offshore Banking Unit, numerous ATM booths and agent banking outlets serving remote areas across Bangladesh.
