Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh will look into the US Senate report that indicated involvement of the US division of London-based HSBC Bank and named two local banks in money laundering link to terror financing.
“We’ll will look into the US Senate report and will take necessary steps against the banks if they are found involved in money laundering activities,” ACC Chairman Ghulam Rahman reportedly said.
He also said the commission would certainly address the issue if it finds any elements of in money- laundering by the two local banks after reviewing the US Senate report.
The anti money-laundering department of the central bank has already started reviewing the Senate report to take necessary actions against the banks alleged involved in money-laundering activities, link to terror financing, a senior official of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) said.
He also said the BB would send a letter to ACC if it discovers any money laundering activities after reviewing the US Senate report.
US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations early this week revealed that the US division of HSBC provided money and bank service to Bangladesh Islami Bank Limited (IBBL) and Social Islami Bank Limited (SIBL), which the report identified as banks suspected to have involvement in raising fund for terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda.
The two banks, however, denied the allegations.
BBN/SSR/AD-20July12-8:15 pm (BST)
