EBL Chairman Anis Ahmed To Receive 1.64 Crore Shares As Gift From Father: Stake Rises To 5% Plus

Dhaka, September 25, 2026 — Anis Ahmed, chairman of Eastern Bank PLC (EBL), is set to receive 1.64 crore shares of the bank from his father as a gift, increasing his stake in the lender. The share transfer represents a significant ownership consolidation within EBL's leadership.

📊 Transaction Details

In a disclosure, Anis said he would receive the shares as a gift from his father, M Ghaziul Haque, a general shareholder of the bank, outside the exchange's trading system within the next month. Key details:

• 💰 Shares to be transferred: 1.64 crore (16,400,000 shares)
• 💰 Share price: Tk 23.20 per share (DSE trading price)
• 💰 Total value: approximately Tk 38 crore
• 💰 Transfer method: Off-market transfer (outside DSE trading system)
• 💰 Timeline: Within the next month
• 💰 Transfer type: Gift (no cash consideration)

💼 Anis Ahmed's Current Shareholding

According to EBL's 2025 annual report:

• 💰 Current shares held by Anis Ahmed: 6.35 crore (63,500,000 shares)
• 💰 Current stake: approximately 4 per cent of the bank's total shares
• 💰 After gift transfer: 7.99 crore shares (79,900,000 shares)
• 💰 New stake: more than 5 per cent
• 💰 Position: Becomes the largest shareholder among the bank's directors

🏦 Eastern Bank PLC (EBL): Company Profile

Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) is one of Bangladesh's leading private commercial banks. Key facts:

• 🏦 Listed on: Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE)
• 🏦 Current share price: Tk 23.20 per share
• 🏦 Bank type: Private commercial bank
• 🏦 Services: Retail banking, corporate banking, SME banking, Islamic banking, and digital banking
• 🏦 Branch network: nationwide presence across Bangladesh
• 🏦 Chairman: Anis Ahmed

💼 The Father-Son Transfer: Why It Matters

The share transfer from M Ghaziul Haque (father, general shareholder) to Anis Ahmed (son, EBL chairman) is significant for several reasons:

• 💼 Ownership consolidation — concentrating shares in the hands of the bank's chairman.
• 💼 Director commitment — the chairman's increased stake signals confidence in the bank's future.
• 💼 5% threshold significance — crossing 5% triggers additional regulatory disclosure requirements.
• 💼 Family succession planning — the transfer is part of inter-generational wealth planning.
• 💼 Largest director-shareholder status — Anis Ahmed becomes the bank's most significant director-shareholder.

🏛 Regulatory Framework For Off-Market Transfers

The transfer will be executed outside the exchange's trading system — through an off-market transfer mechanism. In Bangladesh, off-market share transfers are regulated by:

• 📜 BSEC (Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission) — the securities regulator.
• 📜 Companies Act, 1994 — governing share transfers between parties.
• 📜 DSE/CSE regulations — for reporting off-market transfers.
• 📜 Bank Company Act — for share transfers in banking companies.
• 📜 Income Tax Act — for tax implications of gift transfers.

Off-market transfers are commonly used for:

• 📝 Family transfers — gifts, inheritances, and estate planning.
• 📝 Strategic stake consolidation — by major shareholders.
• 📝 M&A transactions — for private share purchase agreements.
• 📝 Employee stock options — in some cases.

💰 Tax Implications Of Gift Transfers

Gift transfers of listed shares in Bangladesh may have tax implications:

• 💰 Gift tax — Bangladesh does not have a separate gift tax, but gifts may be subject to income tax under certain conditions.
• 💰 Capital gains tax — the donor (father) may be liable for capital gains tax on the difference between acquisition cost and market value.
• 💰 Stamp duty — share transfer documents may attract stamp duty.
• 💰 Registration fees — for the share transfer instrument.

💼 Implications For EBL's Governance

The chairman's increased stake has several governance implications:

• 💼 Stronger alignment — between the chairman's interests and shareholder interests.
• 💼 Enhanced oversight — with the chairman having more 'skin in the game'.
• 💼 5% disclosure threshold — triggering additional BSEC reporting requirements.
• 💼 Board dynamics — the chairman's increased ownership may influence board decision-making.
• 💼 Market perception — the transfer signals confidence in the bank's prospects.

📈 Bangladesh's Banking Sector Context

The EBL share transfer comes at a moment when Bangladesh's banking sector is undergoing significant change:

• 🏦 Banking sector reform — under the IMF programme.
• 🏦 BB tightening nominee director rules — improving governance standards.
• 🏦 Islami Bank governance crisis — with one-member board and MD vacuum.
• 🏦 DSE brokerage scam compensation — for 17,332 affected investors.
• 🏦 Prime Bank insider buying — by vice chairman and corporate director.

Together, the EBL share transfer and the Prime Bank insider buying signal that at least some Bangladeshi banks are positioning themselves for the sector's evolving landscape — with leadership committing additional capital.

💼 Wider Capital Market Implications

For Bangladesh's broader capital market, the EBL share transfer:

• 💰 Reinforces banking sector confidence — with major shareholders increasing stakes.
• 💰 Demonstrates off-market transfer mechanisms — for family and strategic share transfers.
• 💰 May attract investor interest — in EBL shares specifically.
• 💰 Supports banking sector valuations — at a time of broader sector stress.

📜 Looking Ahead

For EBL, the share transfer represents:

• 📝 Strengthened chairman's position — with the largest director-shareholder stake.
• 📝 Improved governance signal — with leadership demonstrating financial commitment.
• 📝 Enhanced market perception — of the bank's financial health and prospects.
• 📝 Regulatory compliance — with the 5% threshold triggering additional disclosures.

The transfer is expected to be completed within the next month — with formal BSEC disclosure and DSE notification following the off-market execution. For EBL shareholders, the chairman's increased stake provides reassurance about the bank's leadership commitment — and may support the share price during a period of broader banking sector uncertainty.