Md. Afzal Karim
Md. Afzal Karim | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mehendiganj Upazila, Barisal District, Bangladesh |
| Occupation | Banker |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | Managing director of Sonali Bank Limited; Managing director of Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation; Chairman of the executive committee of Bangladesh Foreign Exchange Dealers' Association; Director of Central Depository Bangladesh Limited |
Md. Afzal Karim is a prominent banker from Bangladesh who formerly served as the managing director of Sonali Bank Limited, the nation's largest government-owned financial institution. Prior to this role, he led the Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation and chaired the executive committee of the Bangladesh Foreign Exchange Dealers' Association. Additionally, Karim holds a directorship at Central Depository Bangladesh Limited.
Early life
Originating from Mehendiganj Upazila in the Barisal District, Karim completed his undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology. He further enhanced his qualifications by obtaining a diploma from the Bangladesh Institute of Management.
Career
Karim's professional journey commenced in 1995 at Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation, where he started as a Senior Principal Officer and advanced to the position of general manager. His career also includes significant roles at Sena Kalyan Sangstha and the Bangladesh Tea Board. In 2015, he joined Bangladesh Krishi Bank as general manager of operations and was promoted to deputy managing director between 2018 and 2020. Under his leadership, the bank issued 945 loans, reaching 29% of its lending target. He was honored with an Integrity Award by the Financial Institutions Department of the Ministry of Finance. Karim is also affiliated with the Bangladesh Association of Banks.
On 3 March 2021, after serving as deputy managing director at Sonali Bank Limited, Karim was appointed managing director of Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation. In August 2021, he formalized a customer service partnership with Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited.
Karim assumed the role of managing director at Sonali Bank Limited on 28 August 2022, succeeding Ataur Rahman Prodhan for a term lasting three years. During his tenure, he facilitated a collaboration with One Bank Limited to incorporate Sonali Bank’s 'OK Wallet' financial application. Beyond this, Karim has held board memberships at Central Depository Bangladesh Limited and Padma Bank Limited, alongside chairing the Bangladesh Foreign Exchange Dealers' Association.