Nine foreign banks operating in Bangladesh hardly invest in the stock market owing largely to irregularities, speculation-driven investments and an inadequate number of well-performing companies that have gone public.  

At a time when almost all of the local banks in Bangladesh are grappling with higher non-performing loans (NPLs), most foreign lenders have been able to keep the default rate in check.

The earnings of foreign banks operating in Bangladesh rocketed in 2022 buoyed by their incomes from the dealings of international currencies.

Large foreign banks operating in Bangladesh took a hit in 2021 as their profits plunged due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and the lower interest rate regime.