BB governor Atiur Rahman resigns

Bangladesh Bank (BB) governor Atiur Rahman has resigned as tensions escalate with the government after hackers stole about $101 million from the bank’s account with the New York Federal Reserve Bank.

Atiur Rahman submitted his resignation letter on Tuesday morning after meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office. 

Earlier in the day, talking to reporters at his official residence at Gulshan in Dhaka, Atiur said he was ready to resign if the Prime Minister asked him to do so.

Atiur Rahman returned to Dhaka on Monday after attending a conference of International Monetary Fund in New Delhi, India.

Latter at night, he met Finance Minister AMA Muhith when the minister told him that it will be better for the Bangladesh Bank if he will resign from the post.

An angry Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Monday said changes in the banking sector will be brought about and expressed his anguish over the central bank not briefing him about the heist initially.

The hacking took place on the night of February 4, a Thursday, using information stolen through the malware, which sent a total of 35 transfer orders to the NY Federal Reserve Bank where the BB has an account. The next two days – Friday and Saturday – were weekend in Bangladesh.