Analysis of Jamuna Bank PLC's foreign exchange operations and foreign exchange trade industry in Bangladesh: An internship experience perspective

Abstract

The internship report on “Analysis of Jamuna Bank PLC's foreign exchange operations and foreign exchange trade industry in Bangladesh: An internship experience perspective.” has been presented for the completion of my BBA degree at School of Business & Economics (SoBE), United International University. Foreign exchange department is the most profitable department in most of the banks. JBL’s most of the AD branches consider their foreign exchange department to be the highest earner of the profit than any other department of the branch. Narayanganj branch of JBL is no different. This report offers an analytical overview of Jamuna Bank PLC and the foreign exchange and trade finance industry in Bangladesh. Established in 2001, Jamuna Bank is a leading third-generation private commercial bank with over 167 branches and 113 sub- branches nationwide. The bank provides a wide range of conventional and Islamic banking services to retail, corporate, SME, and NRB customers. In 2024, it reported strong financial results, with a net profit of BDT 2.80 billion and a 24% dividend declaration. Jamuna Bank's foreign trade operations include import/export financing, SWIFT transactions, and remittance services in partnership with global entities like Western Union and MoneyGram. Additionally, the bank offers various deposit schemes and foreign currency exchange services, maintaining its status as a recognized Authorized Dealer (AD) to support international trade compliance. The industry analysis highlights trends in Bangladesh’s foreign exchange sector, with export earnings of USD 55.56 billion and import payments of USD 78.47 billion in fiscal year 2022-23, reflecting ongoing trade growth. Remittance inflows hit a record USD 2.94 billion in March 2025. Key trends include increased digitization, regulatory changes, and a move toward sustainable finance. The sector faces challenges such as high non-performing loans, regulatory shifts, and global economic uncertainties. The report includes SWOT analyses for Jamuna Bank and the industry, identifying strengths like market demand and regulatory support, alongside threats such as exchange rate volatility and cybersecurity risks. In summary, this report provides insights into Jamuna Bank PLC’s operations within the evolving foreign exchange landscape of Bangladesh, valuable for stakeholders and industry participants.