UCB strengthens partnership with HAAB at Chattogram conference

United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) organised a Hajj agency conference at a hotel in Chattogram on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, aiming to strengthen partnerships with Hajj agencies and enhance services for pilgrims.

Abul Alam Ferdous, additional managing director of UCB, attended as the chief guest. Special guests included Alhaj Shariat Ullah Shahid, chairman of the Chattogram zonal committee and vice-chairman of the central committee of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB), and Alhaj Mohammed Abdul Malek, secretary of the Chattogram zonal committee and joint general secretary of HAAB's central committee.

Also present were the head of UCB's Chattogram Metro Region, the head of SME and agri banking, senior bank officials, and representatives of Hajj agencies in Chattogram.

Speaking at the programme, Ferdous said Hajj is a sensitive and sacred religious obligation, and UCB is committed to ensuring secure and timely financial services for pilgrims. He noted that the bank has been providing Hajj services for the past four years through its network of 423 branches and sub-branches, as well as more than 602 agent banking outlets nationwide. He added that UCB is currently the fifth largest bank in Hajj operations.

Ferdous said the bank began by serving 61 agencies and has expanded its service network to 107 agencies in 2026, with a target of bringing more than 200 agencies under its network by 2027.

The conference also highlighted new initiatives to streamline and secure Hajj operations, including the formation of a dedicated team to work with agencies and resolve financial matters promptly, the bank said.