Dhaka, May 14 -- Delays in the regulatory approval process have left 18 banks, accounting for half of all stock market-listed banks, unable to finalise their annual financial reports.

As a result, board recommendations for dividend declarations remain pending, creating uncertainty for investors.

According to officials from the Bangladesh Bank and the Ministry of Finance, the ministry has already given its necessary consent on the matter. Now, the process awaits approval from Bangladesh Bank, which is expected to be completed once Governor Ahsan H Mansur returns from a visit to the United Arab Emirates.

Describing the situation as "uncomfortable" and not conducive to investor confidence, Saiful Islam, president of the DSE Brokers Associ...