Dhaka, Dec. 11 -- Hit by alleged big-business lending scams, the state-owned Janata Bank has sought some Tk 200 billion in an urgent bailout as its capital base plummeted into negative territory, sources said.

Bankers and sources in the banking circles said much of the bank money was taken by some big business groups that include Beximco, S Alam Group and AnonTex during the bygone regime.

The aggregate amount requested includes Tk 100 billion from the finance authority for recapitalization and as much (Tk 100 billion) as a loan support from the central bank, they added.

According to available data, the bank counts a capital shortfall of around Tk340 billion and the current non-performing loans (NPLs) figured high at Tk 605 billion whic...