MBL believes that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is integral and inseparable part of the long-term business and sustainable growth and success, which plays an important role in promoting values both locally and internationally. The Bank integrates all social, environmental and socioeconomical issues in the time of its decision making. In line with its slogan- "Banglar Bank" MBL is fully committed to conduct its banking business in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable manner. Contribution in CSR programs is always supported and encouraged by the Board of Directors of the Bank. The Management reports to the Board on CSR activities and is responsible to implement a specific line of approving authority, control and monitoring for financial support to such activities.
MBL sets its Vision Statement-"
Would make finest corporate citizen" and Mission Statement-"
Will become most caring, focused for equitable growth based on diversified deployment of resources, and nevertheless would remain healthy and gainfully profitable Bank", which in fact focuses on the peoples' interests and the Bank's profitability as well. In line with Bank's Vision and Mission Statement, CSR activities have been fully integrated into the business functioning, which ultimately acting as a catalyst to build up an ever-lasting warm relationship with all the stakeholders and society people. The Bank does CSR activities, besides its own fund, through Mercantile Bank Foundation, which acts as a helping hand to the distressed people of the country. In the table below, sector-wise spending of the Bank for CSR purpose in 2010 has been furnished:
Sectors |
(BDT in Millions) |
Education |
7.19 |
Health |
13.15 |
Disaster Management |
11.87 |
Sports |
7.88 |
Art & Culture |
14.42 |
Others |
11.40 |
Total |
65.91 |
Mercantile Bank Foundation-its Objectives and Activities
Mercantile Bank Foundation has been established with an aim to work for the distressed and disabled people. The Foundation has been promoting a dialogue between the Bank and its community people. It has been acting as a mechanism to improve the Bank's image to the society. MBL contributes 1% of its Operating Profit or BDT 4.00 million, which one is maximum; to the Mercantile Bank Foundation every year, and from this amount, the Foundation cares the distressed and disabled people of the country.
Objectives of Mercantile Bank Foundation
Mercantile Bank Foundation has been formed with the aim of achieving some objectives, which has been furnished below:
# To take possible initiatives in increasing social well-being and alleviating poverty from the country.
# To support the education by establishing new educational institutions, providing stipends/ scholarship to the poor but brilliant students.
# To provide awards to the Scholars of various significant arenas for their outstanding contribution. These arenas are:
Bengali Language and Literature
Education Culture
Liberation War based Research
Economy and Economy related Research
Healthcare
Science and Technology
Industry and Commerce
Journalism
Agriculture based Research and Development
Sports
# To assist research activities on Bengali Literature through Bangla Academy.
# To Patronizing the writers and publishers by purchasing their books and distributing these to different educational institutions on the occasion of national and historical days.
# To assist the unemployed young to make them self-sufficient.
# To assist the rootless and distressed orphans through taking appropriate steps for their mental perfection and self support.
# To support in establishing hospitals, clinics, etc. for the improvement of the health sector, to donate one time financial endowment to the poor artist, literature-patron and fatal disease-affected poor patients, to support the poor father for arranging his daughter's marriage, to help poor but bright students.
Mercantile Bank Award-2010
Since inception, Mercantile Bank Foundation has been awarding Scholars of the country for their outstanding contribution in respective fields. In its continuation, eleven Scholars have been awarded in 2010. Besides, a Special Award has also been given for remarkable contribution in Banking and Economy. The Scholars who have been honored with Mercantile Bank Awards-2010 are as under:
Mercantile Bank Awards - 2010 |
Arenas |
Scholars |
Bengali Language and Literature |
Syed Shamsul Haque |
Education |
Dr. Rafiqul Islam |
Culture |
Sohrab Hossain |
Liberation War based Research |
Dr. M. A. Hasan |
Economy and Economic Research |
Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin |
Healthcare |
National Professor Dr. Nurul Islam |
Science and Technology |
Dr. Abul Hussam |
Industry and Commerce |
National Professor Dr. Nurul Islam |
Journalism |
Abdul Gaffar Choudhury |
Agricultural Research and |
Shykh Seraj |
Development Sports |
Rani Hamid |
Mercantile Bank Special Award - 2010 |
Banking and Economy |
Muhammad Taheruddin |
MBL Foundation for Distressed and Disabled People
MBL Foundation receives requests for financial aid from disabled people, disaster victims and various organizations including educational and professional institutions and charities. In response of these requests, the Foundation comes forward to aid these people and institutions.
Bank's Responsibilities to Society People
MBL as a responsible corporate citizen is fully aware of its responsibility about how its operational activities impact on its stakeholders, the economy, the society, its staff and the environment. Conducting business in an ethical way, creating opportunities for business and economic growth, empowering people to fulfill their aspirations, ensuring protection of environment while financing businesses and supporting the distressed people of the society are the focal points of the CSR policy of MBL. In discharging the CSR responsibilities, the Bank contributes on the areas of education, health, employment, professional development, art & culture, disaster management and contribution to the national exchequer as well.
Disaster Response
MBL always shares the well and woe of the distressed people. It concentrates on addressing the needs of disaster victims. The Bank strives to assist the victims of natural disaster by providing financial help in rehabilitation and rescue purposes.
Donation to "Neemtoli" Tragedy Victims
The Bank strives to assist the victims of natural disaster providing financial support in rehabilitation and rescue purpose. MBL has donated an amount of BDT 5 million to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund for the victims of devastating fire of Neemtoli of the Old Town of the Capital. The Chairman of the Bank Md. Abdul Jalil, MY, handed over the donation cheque to the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Distribution of Winter Clothes among the Poor People
MBL has distributed winter clothes among the distressed people of the cold affected areas of the country. About 20,000 pieces of new winter clothes like Blankets, Shawls, Quilts and Sweaters worth BDT 3.4 million has been distributed with the co-operation of the Local Peoples' Representatives in the different cold affected areas of the country.
MBL continues Financial Support to BDR Mutiny-affected Families
BDR mutiny in February, 2009 caused an irretrievable loss to the nation. MBL has widened its arms to share the sufferings of the revolt-affected families. In continuation of 2009, this year also MBL donated BDT 0.96 million to two BDR mutiny-affected families and this support will continue upto ten years.
Health and Medical
MBL believes that earning profit is not the only goal; rather it always wants to maximize the social well-being. The Bank provides financial support to different medical and health institutions each year. Apart from institutional support, the Bank also provides financial assistance to individuals for their treatments. In its continuation, following financial and logistic supports were provided to various Medical and Health Institutes and individuals during 2010:
Donation to Kidney Foundation to Establish a Hospital
MBL will be always there, if any noble initiative taken for the welfare of the people of the country. With this view, the Bank has donated BDT 5.0 million to Kidney Foundation to establish a hospital, which will provide modern diagnostic facilities to the kidney-affected patients at a nominal cost. The President of Kidney Foundation Prof Dr. Harun Ur Rashid received the cheque on behalf of the Organization from Md. Abdul Jalil, MY, Hon'ble Chairman of the Bank in a Cheque handover ceremony held at the Dhanmondi Office of Kidney Foundation.
Donation to SEID Trust
MBL has donated BDT 24.97 lac to SEID Trust for development of the underprivileged children with intellectual and mental disabilities as a part of its CSR in 2009. The amount of donation will be disbursed in three yearly installments. This year, the Bank handed over the 2nd installment of the donation amounting BDT 9.18 lac on April 19, 2010.
Donation to Hicare School, Rajshahi
MBL has donated an amount of BDT 5 lac to Hicare School, Rajshahi for education and development of the deaf children as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. The Hon'ble Chairman of the Bank Md. Abdul Jalil, M.P, handed over the donation cheque to the Headmistress and Member Secretary of Hicare School Mrs. Shahnaj Begum.
Donation to National Heart Foundation, Feni
MBL donated BDT 1.2 million to National Heart Foundation, Feni. Hon'ble Chairman of the Bank Md. Abdul Jalil, M.P, handed over the donation cheque to Mr. Abdus Sattar, the President of National Heart Foundation, Feni in a Handover Ceremony.
Besides, the followings are the major contributions of the Bank in the healthcare sector during 2009:
# Donation of BDT 0.2 million to Bogra Autism Care Centre;
# Donation of BDT 0.5 million to Ivy Rahman Blood Bank.
Professional Development
Every year MBL has been supporting the various Professional bodies. Some professional institutions that MBL donated in 2010 are:
# Bangladesh Photojournalists Forum;
# The Dhaka University Alumni Association;
# The Chittagong Press Club;
# Bangladesh Paper Merchants Association;
# The Naogaon Press Club;
# Bankers Association of Bangladesh.
Education and Learning
MBL is continuing its supports to the education sector as before. Every year, scholarships are provided to the needy but brilliant students of different educational institutions. Children of the employees are also given scholarship for their brilliant results. The Bank also encourages the employees to have professional degrees. MBL gives opportunities to the employees who wish to get higher studies in abroad. The Bank provides cash money incentives to the employees who pass the Banking Diploma. Some Institutions that are financially assisted by NIBL in 2010, are as follows:
# Donation of BDT 0.7 million to Jahangirnagar University;
# Donation of BDT 1.0 million to Sylhet Metropolitan University for Student Welfare;
# Donation of BDT 0.5 million to Foyezuddin Memorial College, Naogaon;
# Donation of BDT 0.5 million to Tetulia B M C College, Naogaon;
# Donation of BDT 0.2 million to Meherunnessa Girls School & College, Dhaka;
# Donation of BDT 0.1 million to MBM Graduates of BIBM.
Art and Culture
As a recognized benefactor of culture, MBL takes some non-profit initiatives every year. Cultural institutions have been donated to organize cultural events in different times. Moreover, the Bank supports the writers, musicians and other performers in their inventive and creative activities. In 2010, as earlier, MBL contributes to organize and celebrate different cultural and traditional festivals, as under:
Celebration of Bangla New Year-1417
Every year, MBL celebrates the Bangla New year with greater festivity. This year MBL also celebrated the Bangla New Year-1417 expecting that the Customers will continue their supports in coming days as before. The Bank has arranged colorful programs to welcome the New Year. The Bank has furnished all of its Branches with colorful settings. Valued Customers have been mouthed with sweets. Apart from that, MBL also donated to various cultural and educational institutes to celebrate the Bangla New Year-1417.
Donation to the 'Muktijuddho Jadughar'
MBL has donated BDT One Crore One Lac One Thousand One Hundred One for construction of the 'Muktijuddho Jadughar' at Agargaon, Dhaka. Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the cheque of donation from the Chairman of the Bank Md. Abdul Jalil, M.P, for Muktijuddho Jadughar Nirman Project.
Besides, the Bank makes the following donations to various cultural organizations to organize cultural functions during 2010:
# to BKMEA for arranging Knit Exposition-2010.
# to RAB for celebrating Founding Anniversary;
# to Muktojuddho Smriti Shangrakkhon Kendro;
# to Ekushey Darshak Forum;
# to BRAG University Debating Society;
# to DU Fine Arts Institute for arranging Jainul Mela;
# to DU Political Science Alumni Association;
# to Theater School, Bangladesh;
# to Shaheed Fazle Rabbi Foundation; etc.
Fostering the Traditional Games and Sports
MBL always encourages the development of games and sports of the country. In different times, the Bank has contributed to organize a variety of traditional games and sports. Following the previous years, in 2010, the Bank contributes to different institutions/clubs to arrange games and sports:
# to Bangladesh Olympic Association, BDT 5 million for 11th South Asian games;
# to Soccer Club, Feni for participating in Bangladesh League Football tournament;
# BDT 0.23 million for arrangement of Barisal 1st Division Football League;
# to arranging International Junior Tennis Championship-2010;
# BDT 0.5 million to Mohammedan Sporting Club, Hockey Team;
# to Bangladesh Chess Federation for arranging National Chess Championship-2010.
Contribution to the Economy
The Bank has contributed to the economy by generating employment of over 1,600 full time employees. It also plays an imperative role in creating job opportunities by financing to the productive sectors. The Bank recruits a number of fresh graduates and experienced officers every year. In 2010, a total of 293 fresh graduates and 67 experienced bankers have joined with MBL Family. In the intermediation process, the Bank mobilized resources of BDT 75,629.14 million from the surplus economic unit and deployed BDT 66,377.70 million in 2010 to deficit group. Following table depicts the Bank's performance in terms of deposit mobilization, its deployments, international business, inward foreign remittance and employments as at December 31 of 2010 and 2009:
|
|
(BDT in million) |
Contribution to Economy |
In 2010 |
In 2009 |
Mobilization of Deposit |
75,629.14 |
58,033.47 |
Deployment of Loans and |
66,377.70 |
48,295.55 |
Advances |
|
|
Export Business |
59,404.20 |
46,298.60 |
Import Business |
89,524.10 |
60,592.50 |
Inward Foreign Remittance |
5,108.10 |
5,061.30 |
Employment (in numbers) |
1,605 |
1,200 |
Contribution to the National Exchequer
The Bank plays its responsibility to the Government of Bangladesh paying corporate tax regularly. Each year, 42.50% Tax is being paid to the National Exchequer from its operation profit. The Bank has made provision of BDT 1,010.59 million for corporate tax in 2010 against BDT 855.26 million in 2009.
Care for the Environment
The whole world is increasingly experiencing the devastating effects of environmental changes for Green House affects due to global warming. The Bank is mindful of its responsibilities to the future generations by playing its part in promoting environmental awareness and in the conservation of the environment. The Bank takes environmental issues very cautiously while financing new projects. It finances only in those projects which are environment-friendly. Early detection of environmental risks is an integral part of credit appraisal system of the Bank. Ecological damage will sooner or later harm not only the society but also the Bank, in the form of loan losses or image problems. In this regard, the Bank participated by sending its officials in Foreign Training Program on 'Environmental Issues'. Issue of Green Banking is considering with utmost core in our Bank.
