BB orders installing danger alarm at banks

Against the backdrop of cyber-heist and break-ins, the central bank asked all banks to ensure safety of their branches by installing auto-alarm system as an instant precautionary measure.

The Bangladesh Bank (BB) issued Sunday a circular asking the chief executives and managing directors of the scheduled banks to take such precautionary measures to ensure their branches` safety.

"We`ve issued the directive in line with the ministry of home affairs," a senior BB official told the FE, adding that such automatic ringing of danger alarm will help the banks in securing their branches.    

The commercial banks have been advised four types of measures that include the setting up of connection between the alarm system and auto-gate lock.

The BB earlier had advised the banks to install auto-alarm systems at all branches, with connection to their head offices, nearest police stations and the offices of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

They were told to heighten their security measures by installing state-of-the-art security systems, appointing proper security staff and arranging necessary training for them.

Earlier, the central bank had asked the banks to install anti-theft alarm at all of their branches across the country in phases.

The anti-theft alarm will have uninterrupted connection with the BB`s central information system.

In the recent past, burglaries, daylight raids and ATM card skimming had occurred in some branches of different banks. The crime in the banking sector culminated into the cyber-heist of BB reserves in its US Fed account by a trans-national racket.