The 37th annual general meeting (AGM) of National Bank Limited (NBL) has approved 10 percent dividend -- 5 percent stock and 5 percent cash -- for the year that ended on December 31, 2019 despite the Covid-19 pandemic, which badly affected businesses across the world.

The AGM and the 22nd extraordinary general meeting (EGM) were held on Monday with valiant freedom fighter Zainul Haque Sikder, a Sponsor Director and incumbent Chairman of the bank, presiding over the meetings.

The bank used modern technology to hold the meetings without physical presence of the participants, in an effort to fight the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Bank’s Director Monowara Sikder, Director and EC Chairperson Parveen Haque Sikder (MP), Directors Alhaj Khalilur Rahman, Moazzam Hossain, Rick Haque Sikder and Mabroor Hossain, Independent Director Md. Naimuzzaman Bhuiyan Mukta, Managing Director (CC) and Company Secretary ASM Bulbul and DMDs were present at the meetings along with around 400 shareholders.

The Chairman, in his inaugural speech at the AGM held on virtual platform, expected result-oriented efforts and dynamic activities from the executives, officers and other employees of the bank so that it can attain a significant growth in the upcoming days.

He expressed his determination to provide more dividends in future.

The Chairman declared the end to the AGM thanking all the participants for joining it through virtual platforms and stepping forward in reforming the Digital Bangladesh.

In the EGM, the authorised capital of the bank was increased to Tk 5,000 crore from Tk 3,000 crore.