The NCBs clocked 228 percent growth while the PCBs registered 24 percent growth in profits.

According to preliminary information gathered from the banks, the 33 banks made a profit of Tk 3,844 crore in 2005. In 2004, the profit stood at Tk 2,604 crore.

Four NCBs made a profit of Tk 1,011 crore and 29 PCBs Tk 2,833 crore in 2005, while in 2004 the NCBs profited Tk 308 crore and PCBs Tk 2296 crore.

Sonali, Agrani, Pubali, Brac, Southeast Bank and Al Arafah Islami Banks performed best in terms of growth performance. Sonali Bank made a profit of Tk 382 crore in 2005, up by 257 percent from the previous year.

Agrani bank made a profit of Tk 234 crore in 2005 while the bank incurred Tk 75 crore loss in previous year. Pubali Bank made a profit of Tk 152 crore, up by 102 percent from the previous year.

Brac Bank's profit rose by 181 percent from the previous year and stood at Tk 60 crore. Southeast Bank's profit increased by 76 percent from the previous year and amounted to Tk 154 crore, which was Tk 88 crore in 2004. Al Arafah Bank's profit increased by 66 percent from the previous year.

Janata and Rupali banks also made substantial profits in 2005. Janata profited Tk 315 crore in 2005, up by 40 percent. Rupali Bank's profit increased by 57 percent from the previous year and stood at Tk 80 crore.

Among the other PCBs, Exim Bank's profit growth was 45 percent, Arab Bangladesh Bank's 46 percent, National Credit and Commerce Bank's 48 percent, Dutch Bangla Bank's 48 percent, City Bank's 42 percent, United Commercial Bank's 39 percent.

Among the private banks, Islami Bank Bangladesh made highest profit of Tk 289 crore in terms of volume.

Bank officials said the rise in import and export, remittance, credit as well as high money market resulted in the banks' hefty profit in 2005. Sonali Bank in 2005 earned Tk 400 crore from the money market alone, which was double compared to the income made in the previous year.

The reform programmes taken up for the NCBs yielded results in helping the NCBs make good profits. However, the new management in the different NCBs also worked with a new spirit to make good profits.

However, a senior banker said as the NCBs have a huge shortfall in capital and provision, their net profit will not be hefty.

Shareholders of the PCBs can however expect to get some share of the profits as the PCBs do not have such shortfalls. Even after paying off taxes the profit amount of the PCBs will remain quite healthy, the senior bank official said.