Mohammad Rafiqul Islam was appointed deputy managing director (DMD) and chief operating officer (COO) of United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB), effective 1 November 2026.
The veteran banker brings nearly three decades of experience in banking operations, risk management, overseas remittances and financial services, positioning him to enhance UCB’s operational efficiency.
Prior to joining UCB, Islam served as managing director of United Finance PLC and as deputy managing director and COO of Standard Bank PLC. He also held senior roles at Standard Chartered Bank as director and at Citibank NA as resident vice president.
His career began in 1997 as a probationary officer at Dhaka Bank Limited, followed by a stint as deputy managing director of BD Finance, demonstrating a progressive trajectory through Bangladesh’s leading financial institutions.
Islam holds an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka, and is a Certified Credit Professional from Omega, UK, underscoring his strong academic and professional credentials.
UCB expects Islam’s extensive leadership experience to drive operational improvements, support growth initiatives, and reinforce the bank’s commitment to delivering high‑quality financial services across Bangladesh.
The appointment reflects broader confidence in Bangladesh’s banking sector and its capacity to attract seasoned executives capable of steering institutions through a dynamic economic environment.
Why it matters
The appointment strengthens UCB’s leadership, supporting Bangladesh’s banking sector growth and financial stability.