Dhaka, Feb. 26 -- The non-performing loans, or NPLs, in Bangladesh's banking sector have surged, nearing Tk 3.5 trillion, following an increase of Tk 607.87 billion over the last three months compared with the previous quarter.

Over the past year, NPLs have increased by an alarming Tk 2.13 trillion, with over Tk 1.39 trillion added in just six months.

According to updated data, the total amount of NPLs in the banking sector reached more than Tk 3.46 trillion by the end of December, representing 20.20 percent of total loans disbursed.

On Wednesday, Governor Ahsan H Mansur disclosed that for the first time in the country's history, NPLs have exceeded Tk 3 trillion, expressing concerns that this record figure is likely to continue growing...