Shaila Abedin: Success means creating balance in every aspect of life

With a distinguished career in banking, Shaila Abedin, SEVP and Head of Liability, SME & Consumer Banking at Prime Bank, is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, financial inclusion and inclusive growth. For her, success goes beyond professional achievement-it means creating balance between career, family, personal well-being and social responsibility.

In an exclusive conversation with The Daily Observer, Shaila Abedin talks about her career journey, leadership, women’s financial empowerment, challenges and her vision for creating greater opportunities for women and youth.

WO: What inspired you to choose banking as a career?
Shaila: My mother had a major influence on my decision. She was a banker, and watching her from an early age inspired me. I initially started my career in another profession, but eventually felt banking was the right career for me. I wanted to do work that creates real impact and allows me to connect with the wider community.

WO: How did your early leadership experiences shape your leadership style?
Shaila: I see every responsibility as an opportunity to learn. Leadership is not only about getting the job done; it is also about connecting with people, bringing out their capabilities and creating a positive working environment.

WO: Who have influenced you the most?
Shaila: The women in my family have had the greatest influence on me. Their lives, struggles, confidence and sense of responsibility have always inspired me. From them, I learned to believe in my own strength and capabilities and move forward with confidence and determination.

WO: What challenges do women still face in banking?
Shaila: There is still a ‘glass ceiling’ for women. Society often wants to see women within a certain framework, and when a woman tries to move beyond it, she may face resistance. Women also often have to prove their capabilities repeatedly when seeking promotions or taking on senior responsibilities. However, challenges can also help women demonstrate resilience, competence and leadership.

WO: How important are financial independence and equality for women?
Shaila: They are extremely important. Women need opportunities, support and financial knowledge. Financial inclusion, literacy and skills development can help women become more capable and independent. Financial independence gives women greater confidence to make decisions and participate meaningfully in their families, workplaces and communities.

WO: What changes do you hope to bring through NEERA Women Banking?
Shaila: Women’s development should not be limited to banking; it needs to be approached holistically. Wellness, mental and physical health, entrepreneurship training, financial literacy, safe communities and need-based banking services should all be considered together.

NEERA Women Banking is more than a banking proposition. It aims to create a 360-degree ecosystem that supports women financially while contributing to their personal and professional development.

WO: What financial knowledge do women need to become truly empowered?
Shaila: Financial empowerment is not just about having a bank account. It is about having the knowledge and confidence to make the right financial decisions for themselves and their families.
Women need a practical understanding of budgeting, savings, investment, credit, insurance and digital financial services. They should also know how to build assets, manage financial risks and plan for long-term financial security.

I strongly believe financial empowerment starts at home. When a woman becomes confident about managing her own money, that confidence strengthens her voice in her family, workplace and society. Our objective should be to move women from simply being banking customers to becoming confident financial decision-makers, investors and wealth creators.

WO: What opportunities do you see for women entrepreneurs, professionals and small businesses in Bangladesh?
Shaila: I see a huge opportunity for women to play a much bigger role in Bangladesh’s economy. Women represent half of our population, but their participation in formal entrepreneurship, business ownership and access to finance is still below their potential.

We need to look beyond financing. Women need an ecosystem that brings together access to finance, savings and investment, digital banking, insurance, wealth management and financial literacy. Mentorship, networking, market access and business support are equally important.

I see the journey as access to ownership, ownership to wealth creation, and wealth creation to job creation.

At Prime Bank, our ambition is to support women through that journey-from student to professional, entrepreneur or leader, and ultimately to wealth and job creator.

WO: Looking back on your career, which achievement makes you most proud, and what are your future goals?
Shaila: What makes me most proud is not simply a designation or business number, but the opportunity to take responsibility, create something meaningful and make a lasting difference.

One milestone I am particularly proud of was being entrusted with a leadership role at HSBC within less than a year of joining the bank. It was an early leadership opportunity that shaped my confidence, resilience and approach to leadership.

Two initiatives particularly close to my heart are NEERA Women Banking and PrimeAcademia. NEERA is a 360-degree ecosystem for women, bringing together financial solutions, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, wellness, networking, mentorship and personal and professional growth.

PrimeAcademia focuses on youth, bringing together financial literacy, career readiness, learning and future-oriented skills. Our aim is to help young people become financially empowered, skilled, confident and ready to shape the future of Bangladesh.

I am also proud that Prime Bank was the first bank in Bangladesh to introduce financial literacy initiatives through sign language and Braille books, making financial knowledge more accessible to the physically challenged community.

For me, leadership is ultimately about how many people get the opportunity to move forward because of what you have built.

Going forward, I want to take these initiatives to a much larger scale. If we can empower women, equip our youth and ensure that no community is left behind, we can contribute to building a stronger, more inclusive and prosperous Bangladesh.