automation

DBBL's IT infrastructure: Present and Future

Since the start of its operation, under the vision of Mr. M. Sahabuddin Ahmed -the founder chairman of the Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank has been continuously striving towards bringing world-class technology driven banking services, and conveniences to its customers. As a result, DBBL is the first and only Bank in Bangladesh to invest more than Taka 2 billion in developing the largest ICT infrastructure in the banking sector of the Country.

Overview

DBBL owns and operates the largest ATM network of the Country comprising of 700 ATMs as of December 2009. The Bank is also the leader in POS terminal and internet banking services. As a technology driven Bank, DBBL has implemented world reputed online banking software at all its 79 branches and 10 SME centers. DBBL also provides the following ancillary services:

Any Branch banking; Online ATM/POS service; Internet banking service; and SMS and Alert banking service.

The Bank also implemented Online Synchronous Disaster Recovery Site (DRS) to provide uninterrupted and reliable banking convenience to the valued customers. DBBL's Synchronous DRS is the first of its kind in Bangladesh. This makes DBBL the only Bank in the Country that can best respond to natural disaster recovery.

Mobile Banking

To provide banking services to the remote customers of the Country, DBBL plans to reach them by phone. All unbanked customers having a phone number will be able to get basic banking services like cash withdrawal, cash deposit, loans, bill payment, local & foreign remittance etc. from all over the Country very cheaply. Even all Government payments, corporate salaries can be made through this service almost at no cost.

Just like the DBBL ATM network, DBBL's version of mobile banking will be affordable, secure and ubiquitous. It is centered around providing the majority of the rural population access to a wide array

of modern banking services. The mobile banking system will be an 'open' system (similar to its ATM network), which will give third party service providers unhindered access.

DBBL's current system already has the capability of providing mobile banking services. The Bank is in the process of obtaining necessary permissions from regulatory bodies and will launch a nationwide mobile-banking revolution within 1 month of receiving the regulatory permission.

Bangladesh Automated Clearing House (BACH)

Bangladesh Bank is going to introduce first paperless Automated Clearing House in the Country which is called as Bangladesh Automated Cheque Processing System (BACPS) and Bangladesh Electronic Fund Transfer Network (BEFTN). Both the systems will be implemented under Bangladesh Automated Clearing House (BACH) project. These projects are being implemented under several reform measures taken by Bangladesh Bank to improve the safety and efficiency in the payment system. DBBL has always been a leader in complying to the requirements of the projects, like, cheque personalization, Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) encoded cheque book issue, System Integration Test (SIT) with Bangladesh Bank's live & DR sites.

DBBL was the first Bank to conduct a successful live test with Bangladesh Bank. The project is progressing smoothly and expected start full fledged operation soon.

Next-Generation Cards

All the distribution channels are EMV-compliant. The EMV security policy has been introduced by Europay, MasterCard and VISA jointly to protect capturing card data and duplication of a card. DBBL is the first Bank in Bangladesh to ensure such security for our valued customers. DBBL has also introduced EMV compliant chip based Credit Cards for the first time in Bangladesh -which is the most secure card in the world. The ATM / POS network of the DBBL accepts the following cards:

EMV compliant chip cards of all the banks in the world;

Non-EMV Visa & MasterCard cards of all the banks in the world;

DBBL's proprietary cards (Nexus); andProprietary cards of all the partner banks in Bangladesh.

ATM

DBBL has put its level of innovation and standard of customer support to a new height by setting another milestone in the history of banking sector by adding two units of Mobile ATM booths to its existing ATM network. DBBL has become the first Bank in the Country to provide such unique service and convenience to the customers. The DBBL Mobile ATM Booth, which is outfitted in a custom-made van provides free anywhere anytime banking services in short notice.

DBBL has allowed other banks to join its ATM/POS network. Partner banks are charged a subsidized Tk.10 by DBBL (but partner banks may levy additional charges for end-consumer). Customers of the following partner banks in Bangladesh are enjoying access to the DBBL ATM/POS network:

- Mutual Trust Bank Limited- Commercial Bank of Ceylon- Standard Chartered Bank - Bank Asia Limited- National Credit & Commerce Bank Limited - United Commercial Bank Limited- South East Bank Limited - The Prime Bank Limited - The City Bank Limited- First Security Bank Limited- Mercantile Bank Limited- Trust Bank Limited- Jamuna Bank Limited- Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited- Janata Bank Limited- Sonali Bank Limited- National Bank Limited

Green IT

Dutch-Bangla Bank has always been careful about environment. DBBL has taken initiatives to make its IT infrastructure a "Green IT". Environment friendly options like virtualization, power management and proper recycling habits towards certifying our data centers as "Green" are under process.

Call Center

Considering the growing number of customers, card

holders & transactions, DBBL has taken steps to setup a Call Center. It will be a world renowned Cisco hardware-based call center comprising of all the services a call center can provide, e.g, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) by virtue of which the customer will be able to choose his options using the keypads of a touch or cell phone and listen to the responses related to his account or card or transactions from the system. The hardware has already been setup. At present, the integration with the existing systems are in progress.

Upgradation of Core banking Systems & ATM switching systems

The number of branches of DBBL is growing steadily every year. The customer base is growing everyday. To cope with the huge volume of transaction and provide the customers the best services using latest technology the Bank has decided to upgrade its core banking system and other related software & hardware. The Board of Directors has already approved required budget and international tender has already been floated. The evaluation of the submitted proposals are under process.

DBBL's future IT projects:

ATM Expansion

Dutch-Bangla Bank has planned to install another 1000 ATMs by the end of 2010 mainly to cover rural areas.

Reorganization and Redesign of delivery channels

Dutch-Bangla Bank is redesigning the delivery channels to make the entire system more efficient and faster for the end consumers. After the redesign, clients will experience more faster and more personalized service.

e-Payment Gateway

A payment gateway is an essential part of an Online Payment System. It is necessary in order to process all of the following inter-bank on-line transactions:

1. Account-to-account transfer transactions or debit / credit card transactions on the web for on-line merchant payment against purchase of goods and services;

2. Inter-bank ATM/POS transactions using debit / credit cards; and

3. Inter-bank Internet or SMS banking transactions for fund transfer (instant remittance) and utility bill payment.

Since there is no such system in Bangladesh, Dutch-Bangla Bank is actively considering to implement a payment gateway to facilitate the above e-commerce transactions. This will be the first payment gateway setup in the Country to drive e-commerce transactions.

Implementation of Multi-factor Authentication for Internet Banking

Internet banking has never taken off in Bangladesh due to an absence of identity verification. DBBL's EMV compliant system allows accurate identity verification to allow full-fledged internet banking services. DBBL will shortly implement this solution.

DBBL's IT infrastructure is working like the arteries of a human body. The effective, robust and reliable IT infrastructure is ensuring the strong health for the Bank. DBBL is working round the clock without any downtime, offering its customers the enjoyment of banking services. Banking has never been so easy, comfortable, enjoyable, and yet secure. DBBL is relentlessly striving every moment to facilitate its customers with the most advanced and secure technological environment. DBBL is undertaking new projects in the field of automation to help meet customers needs.

Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited has incorporated itself in Automated Clearing House. Dr. Atiur Rahman, Governor of Bangladesh Bank and Mr. Sayem Ahmed, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Dutch-Bangla Bank formally inaugurated the operation of Automated Clearing House on November 8, 2009 through a video conference.

Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) has installed Co-branded ATM booth at the Pabna branch premises of Mutual Trust Bank Limited (MTBL). Mr. Samson H. Chowdhury, a renowned industrialist of the country and the Chairman, Mutual Trust Bank Limited inaugurated the ATM booth on July 07, 2009.

Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) has launched its 500th ATM booth at Bangladesh Agricultural University Campus. Professor Dr. M. A. Sattar Mandal, Vice Chancellor of the University inaugurated the 500th ATM booth by drawing money through DBBL Nexus Card on April 28, 2009. Mr. Sayem Ahmed, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of DBBL was present in the opening ceremony. Among others, Professor Tofazzal Hossain Miah, Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology, Members, Dean council, Heads of different Departments, High Officials of the University were also present at the function.