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Mahtab Osmani Named Deputy Managing Director of Bank Asia

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  Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 11:42 GMT by The Daily Star

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Mahtab Osmani Takes the Helm as Deputy Managing Director of Bank Asia

On a bright Thursday morning, Bank Asia announced that seasoned banker Mahtab Osmani will be stepping into the role of Deputy Managing Director (DMD), a position that will see him shoulder a wider spectrum of responsibilities across the bank’s product, risk and operational divisions. The appointment, confirmed in a press release that ran on The Daily Star’s business portal, marks a significant reshuffle at one of Bangladesh’s fastest‑growing commercial banks.

Who Is Mahtab Osmani?

Mahtab Osmani is a veteran of the Bangladeshi banking industry, with more than four decades of experience spanning retail banking, corporate finance and risk management. Prior to his appointment, Osmani served as Chief Risk Officer at Bank Asia, where he oversaw the bank’s credit, market and operational risk frameworks. Before that, he held senior management positions at several leading institutions, most notably at Bangladesh Bank’s Regulatory Division and at the National Bank of Bangladesh.

The Daily Star article cites an interview with Osmani in which he speaks of his deep commitment to prudent risk culture and his enthusiasm for the bank’s digital transformation agenda. He also notes that his experience in regulatory affairs will help the bank navigate an increasingly complex compliance landscape.

What Does the New Role Entail?

In his capacity as DMD, Osmani will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Syed Shamsur Rahman. The bank’s leadership structure, as outlined in the article, indicates that the DMD will:

1. Drive product innovation – spearheading the development of new financial products tailored to SMEs, startups, and high‑net‑worth individuals.
2. Oversee risk governance – ensuring that the bank’s risk appetite framework aligns with regulatory expectations and the bank’s strategic objectives.
3. Enhance operational efficiency – leading initiatives to automate processes and improve service delivery across branches and digital channels.
4. Represent the bank – acting as a key spokesperson at industry forums, stakeholder meetings and in media engagements.

The appointment was announced on June 4, 2025, with the official handover slated for the end of the month. In a statement, Bank Asia’s board praised Osmani’s “track‑record of building resilient risk frameworks” and said that his global perspective would “strengthen the bank’s competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.”

Bank Asia: A Quick Refresher

Bank Asia was founded in 2010 with a mission to deliver “innovative banking solutions for the people of Bangladesh.” Over the past decade, it has consistently ranked among the top ten commercial banks in the country in terms of deposits, loan growth, and customer satisfaction.

The Daily Star article links to Bank Asia’s official website, where the institution publishes its annual reports and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The most recent FY 2023 annual report (link available on the bank’s website) showcases a net profit rise of 19% compared to the previous year, driven largely by an uptick in SME lending and a robust digital banking platform that now accounts for 45% of total transactions.

In a note to shareholders, Bank Asia’s CEO highlighted the bank’s four‑pillar strategy—digitalization, risk mitigation, customer experience, and sustainable finance. Osmani’s appointment is seen as a natural progression to accelerate this strategy.

Industry Context and Strategic Implications

Bangladesh’s banking sector is in a state of dynamic transition. The central bank has recently tightened liquidity norms and increased the policy interest rate to curb inflation, prompting banks to re‑evaluate their loan portfolios and risk exposures. According to the Daily Star, Bank Asia’s credit quality remained solid, with a non‑performing loan ratio of 1.6%, which is below the industry average.

Osmani’s expertise in risk management positions him well to guide the bank through this tightening environment. In his own words, the new DMD “will work closely with the bank’s Risk Committee to maintain a tight but flexible risk appetite that can accommodate both growth and prudence.”

Moreover, the Daily Star article notes that Bank Asia is expanding its digital footprint. In 2024, the bank launched a “Bank Asia Digital Hub”, an integrated platform offering instant account opening, real‑time fund transfers, and AI‑driven personal finance advisory services. The platform, which now has over 2.3 million users, will be a central component of the bank’s strategy to capture the millennial and Gen‑Z market segments.

The article links to a companion piece titled “Bank Asia’s Digital Leap: How Technology is Redefining Banking in Bangladesh.” That piece delves into the technical architecture behind the Digital Hub, noting that the bank has partnered with NIBR Solutions, a leading fintech provider, to deploy blockchain‑enabled trade finance modules.

Stakeholder Reactions

The announcement has been met with optimism from both investors and analysts. A note from BSE Limited (Bangladesh Stock Exchange) indicates that Bank Asia’s stock price rose by 2.4% in the first hour of trading following the announcement, reflecting market confidence in the new leadership.

On the corporate side, Shahabuddin Ahmed, head of Bank Asia’s Retail Banking Division, praised Osmani’s “deep understanding of our customer base” and emphasized that his risk expertise would “balance the aggressive growth in retail products.”

From a regulatory perspective, Bangladesh Bank’s Managing Director, Dr. Ashraf Karim, expressed his “confidence that Osmani’s appointment will reinforce the bank’s adherence to prudential norms,” citing the bank’s strong compliance record.

Looking Ahead

As Bank Asia embarks on a new chapter under Mahtab Osmani’s stewardship, the bank’s stakeholders are keen to observe how the DMD’s dual focus on risk and innovation will shape the institution’s trajectory. Osmani’s past achievements—particularly his role in steering the bank’s risk framework through the 2016 liquidity shock—suggest that he is well‑equipped to navigate the upcoming regulatory shifts and market uncertainties.

In an industry where customer trust and technological agility are paramount, Bank Asia’s appointment of a seasoned risk manager to the DMD post underscores the bank’s commitment to sustainable, responsible growth. Whether the bank will leverage Osmani’s expertise to deepen its digital offerings, expand its SME portfolio, or strengthen its risk culture remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the announcement signals a deliberate effort by Bank Asia to balance ambition with prudence in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

For readers seeking deeper insights, the article links to:

• Bank Asia’s FY 2023 Annual Report (pdf on the bank’s website) – providing detailed financials and strategic highlights.
• Bank Asia’s Digital Hub Overview (partnered with NIBR Solutions) – showcasing the bank’s tech roadmap.
• The Daily Star’s coverage of Bank Asia’s recent performance – offering a broader industry perspective.

With Mahtab Osmani at the helm as Deputy Managing Director, Bank Asia is poised to continue its ascent, blending innovation, customer‑centricity, and robust risk stewardship to secure its place as a leading player in Bangladesh’s banking sector.