Midland Bank PLC has established itself as a digitally-driven, customer-centric financial institution in Bangladesh. Under the leadership of Managing Director and CEO, Imtiaz U. Ahmed, the bank is revolutionizing the pilgrimage experience through its Shariah-compliant “MDB Saalam” Islamic window. By merging traditional Mudaraba principles with modern technology, Mr. Ahmed aims to make the sacred journey of Hajj financially attainable for every segment of society.

The Daily Star (TDS): What makes your Hajj savings solutions unique in this competitive market?

Imtiaz U. Ahmed (IUA): We offer the MDB Saalam Hajj Savings and MDB Salaam Digital Hajj Savings schemes. They are uniquely flexible, with tenures ranging from three to twenty years and installments starting at just BDT 250. This makes Hajj planning accessible even for middle-income earners. Our digital platform allows customers to open and manage accounts remotely, ensuring Shariah-compliant growth through yearly profit credits and strict adherence to Islamic principles.

TDS: How does your mobile app facilitate Hajj goals through automation?

IUA: Our MDB Saalam Digital scheme is engineered for maximum convenience. Users can schedule automated monthly transfers—from BDT 250 up to BDT 5,00,000—via our app, internet banking, or bKash. This disciplined, technology-driven mechanism encourages consistent contributions without manual intervention, aligning perfectly with our customer-centric philosophy and Bangladesh Bank’s digital-banking regulations.

TDS: What value-added services do you offer to support pilgrims during their travel?

IUA: Upon maturity, customers receive a complimentary MDB VISA Prepaid Card with zero withdrawal fees at MDB ATMs and a 50% waiver on foreign-currency endorsements. Furthermore, our Bancassurance partnerships with Akij Takaful and Sandhani Life allow pilgrims to access Shariah-compliant travel protection and insurance solutions easily through the bank’s existing channels.

TDS: How do you balance offerings for long-term youth savings versus short-term needs?

IUA: We balance these through flexible tenures. Younger customers can opt for twenty-year disciplined savings plans, while those wishing to perform Hajj sooner can enroll in short-term plans with higher monthly installments. This approach ensures we cater to both long-term planners and immediate aspirants in a Shariah-compliant manner without relying on conventional lending.

Interview conducted by Tagabun Taharim Titun