Dhaka, Jan. 11 -- Bankers are now given until next March to downsize the classified-loan buildups in the banking sector below 25 per cent through prompt delivery of government policy concessions for struggling businesses.

The central bank made the directive to top executives in the country's all commercial banks for such time-bound action at a special bankers' conclave Sunday at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters, according to meeting insiders.

While spelling out the firman, the Bangladesh Bank governor, Dr Ahsan H. Mansur, also appreciated the bankers' efforts in bringing down non-performing loan (NPL) loads below 31 per cent until December last banking on various regulatory interventions like policy support and partial write-off facilit...