<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>State-run Bangladesh Development Bank is set to merge with Sonali Bank, while Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank will be taken over by Bangladesh Krishi Bank as part of disciplining the banking sector.</b></span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The move follows the merger of private sector Padma Bank with Exim Bank.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The primary decision of latest merger of banks was taken at a meeting between Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor Abdur Rouf Talukder and the managing directors of the respective banks at the BB headquarters on Wednesday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A deal will be signed on Monday (April 8) between Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank at BB in this regard.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Md Shawkat Ali Khan, managing director of BKB told UNB that the central bank called a meeting with the chairmen of both banks and discussed the overall situation of the banks, reports unb</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the merger of&nbsp; state-owned banks, on behalf of the government the BB will take a final decision regarding the merger issue, he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, the BB official confirmed that a deal signing between BKB and RKUB is scheduled to be held on Monday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The government took the decision in principle to merge BDBL with Sonali Bank. But it will take some time to reach a deal between Sonali Bank and BDBL, said an official of BB.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/fas</div>