Automation - Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited

Automation
Banking Automation initiatives at DBBL

Beginnings
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) is a technology driven institution. It caters to progressive clients who
are accustomed to high levels of technology use and innovation. DBBL strives to provide its customers
the latest in banking technology and delivery channels to make banking the most seamless task for its
customers. DBBL's technology vision is centered around the view that high-end technology services is the
innate right of the customer. A customer has the right to do seamless banking from any location they
please and it is completely within their rights to expect this service uniformly through any medium. This
vision led to DBBL undertaking a comprehensive IT project in 2003 where the entire system was
automated at a cost of Tk. 1 billion.
Requirements Analysis
Keeping the security and reliability in mind, the management of the Bank identified some hardware and
software components for the project. Among hardware installations were the multi-processor clustered
servers, Automated Teller Machine, POS terminal, card personalization system, high capacity UPS, Host
Security Module, networking equipment, and among the software installations were the Core banking
software, Internet banking software, sms & alert banking software, Switching software, Database and
operating systems. For case studies and acquire technical know-how before acquiring these hardware
and software, a management team visited similar installations in different banks in Sri Lanka and India in
January, 2003. Thereafter the Bank selected state-of-the-art technologies optimizing the cost for the
project.
Besides this, the Bank has setup the largest and modern Data Center and on-line synchronized DRS
(Disaster Recovery Site) in Bangladesh to safe-guard the customers' interest. A set of servers,
networking equipments and UPS identical to the Data Center is installed at DRS. In case the Data Center
is destroyed for any reason, the DRS will take over the control of branches, ATMs, POS terminal, internet
banking, SMS and alert banking systems. DRS is a crucial system for any bank and is standard for all
leading worldwide banks, as the success of a bank after any disaster depends highly on its DRS.
Implementation
The implementation of the Automation project started with formation of a Core Team. A team of 22
members which included 14 members from the business and 8 members from the IT took an eight week
long extensive training on the project implementation issues. In February, 2004 the User Acceptance Test
(UAT) started in the data center of the Bank. The Core Team and Networking Team started installation of
the servers, networking equipments & software, and customization of the same to adopt the prevailing
banking rules and regulations of the country. Side by side, the Switching Team started installation of
ATMs and POS terminals and testing of their performance with the switching software.
After UAT was over, the roll-out of the branches from the old system to the newly installed system began.
The IT division rolled-out one branch at every weekend and installed ATM under the respective branches.
On 18th December, 2004 the roll-out of all the branches of the Bank was completed. The year-end
operation of the Bank completed successfully on 30th December, 2004 centrally at the Data Center.
The entire automation and DRS are installed and maintained by DBBL alone. The Bank takes great pride
that the entire system was the result of in-house innovation and dedication and with par to international
standards.
Revolutionizing banking in Bangladesh
Thereafter the Bank opened 32 new branches at different cities/towns with ATM facility. From the first
day, these branches and ATMs are on-line and provided real-time banking services. From the beginning,
the valued customers of these branches are getting truly on-line facility, 24 hours a day, 7

days a week, through all the branches, ATMs and POS terminals all over the country and through the
Internet from all over the world.
Using the new ATM services, the customers of DBBL can perform a range of banking activities including
cash withdrawal, balance inquiry, printing mini statement, utility bill payment and fund transfer, 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week and even on holidays.
Using the POS terminals the customers can pay shopping / dining / hotel bills at various merchant
locations throughout the country using DBBL cards and any MasterCard or Visa branded cards.
Using the Internet Banking System the customers can access his/her account anytime from anywhere
from the world through internet and can enjoy a plethora of banking services including account summary,
account statement, fund transfer, bills payment, initiation and execution of Standing Instructions, opening
and redemption of Term Deposits from/to his savings or current account and much more.
For secured and fast delivery of foreign remittance to the beneficiaries all over the country, DBBL's online
banking service and ATM network provides a unique solution. Now the non-resident Bangladeshis
can send their money to their near and dear ones on the same days. After receiving the advice from
different exchange houses abroad in electronic form, the Bank now credits the beneficiaries account
directly from head office. Immediately the beneficiary can withdraw money from any branch counter or
ATM booth of DBBL.
The introduction of on-line banking services along with various channels attracted a good number of retail
customers mostly the service holders - which is the base for the bank to start its retail (personal) credits
business. Their loyalty to DBBL allows DBBL to focus more on this type of retail oriented client base.
In 2005, the Bank started issuing of MasterCard's debit products - Maestro and Cirrus cards, and
accepting MasterCard's entire product range including MasterCard credit card, Maestro and Cirrus cards.
In 2006, the Bank started issuing of Visa's debit products - Visa Electron & Plus cards and accepting of
Visa's product range including Visa credit card, Visa debit, Visa Electron and Plus. From then onward, our
valued customers have the option to choose from the widest selection of cards.
After obtaining the acquiring licenses from MasterCard and Visa, and its execution in 2005, all
MasterCard and VISA card holders of other local and foreign banks are able to withdraw cash from our
ATMs and pay shopping / hotel / dining bills using our POS terminals at the standard prescribed charge of
the MasterCard and Visa.
In 2006, the Bank launched SMS and alert banking system for the first time in Bangladesh. The SMS and
the alert banking system is a modern tool for banking using a mobile phone. This service puts the banking
at the hands of our customers. The customers can now avail a wide range of banking services through
his mobile phone, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year sitting at his home or vehicle.
The ATM service offerings from DBBL are changing the way of banking practices of people, especially
the students. Introduction of modern banking facilities for the general people of the country is a social
service. To extend these services to more people, DBBL installed 207 ATMs throughout the country
including rural areas. At the end of 2007 DBBL continues to have the largest ATM network by a significant
margin. The Bank extended its ATM services to the customers of other banks and signed agreement with
the following banks:
1. Mutual Trust Bank Limited 2. Standard Chartered Bank
3. Prime Bank Limited 4. Bank Asia Limited
5. Southeast Bank Limited 6. National Credit & Commerce Bank Limited
7. United Commercial Bank Limited 8. Commercial Bank of Ceylon Limited

Making technology affordable for the masses
DBBL clients are getting ATM access free of charge. For ATM access to other banking institutions, the
cost per transaction at ATM is around Tk.70/- (which is USD1.00 and USD 1.25 per transaction if routed
through Visa and MasterCard network respectively). This price would be even higher when accounting in
bank surcharges.
To help the customers of other banks, DBBL made separate agreements in which DBBL has agreed to
charge only Tk10/- per transaction to the partner banks. This price is insignificant considering the charges
that other banks still pay to local ATM companies and the standardized Visa/MasterCard charges. It
should be noted that even with this pricing and the continuing costs of maintaining the largest ATM
network in the country, the Tk. 1 billion investment of DBBL is not very rewarding. DBBL never scrutinized
the project's profitability but instead focused on the intrinsic benefits that it will bring to the customer.
DBBL wants the customers of other banks to avail the same benefits of a DBBL customer. This will help
develop the socio-economic condition of the country as a whole. More and more people will be able to get
benefit of the modern technology both in urban and rural areas at an affordable cost. DBBL is bearing the
differential cost as part of its CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities.
Partnering with other banks for a common goal
Even after servicing the numerous clients, DBBL decided to help member banks in their automation
services. DBBL extended its support and expertise for reaching a common end goal of both DBBL and
the partnering bank - serving the customer. To extend the ATM facilities to the suburban and rural areas
where there is no DBBL branches, DBBL has taken an initiative to install ATMs at the premises and
nearby sites of other bank branches. Mutual Trust Bank has signed an agreement to this effect. Many
other banks are in the pipe line to accept this service offered at a very attractive terms and conditions.
DBBL has introduced new economical services for banks which do not have the facility to produce cards
and host the card information (which involves expensive switching software and hardware for transaction
pre-authorization). Now DBBL can offer these banks with card personalization, PIN generation and
hosting, PIN Mailer printing, and transaction pre-authorization. This is essentially the entire card
automation/services for a fraction of the price it would take the institutions to implement it themselves.
First Security Bank Limited is the first bank that signed with DBBL to avail these services.
Upcoming initiatives
NexusEMV
The normal bank card was introduced 40 years ago and has failed to keep up with the rapid technology
and security development that has been taking place in the industry. Its inherent problems caused
competitors Visa and MasterCard to collaborate and create a next generation bank card that will keep up
with rapid security developments called EMV.
North America has started the transformation process in 2005 and has set the finishing deadline to 2016,
where the entire continent will have upgraded to next-generation EMV technology.
DBBL keeps track of the latest security developments internationally and strives to give the same level of
service to its local clients. To give more peace of mind to its customers along with more security, the Bank
has also decided to implement EMV (EuroPay, MasterCard and Visa) cards (both debit and credit) and
acquiring of EMV compliant ATMs and POS terminals. DBBL for the first time in this region is going to
offer a complete EMV (both in issuing and acquiring for both the Visa and MasterCard) solution for its
customer with an investment of another Taka 60 million (in addition to its IT investment of Taka 1 billion).
DBBL is currently scheduled to be the first and only bank in SAARC to offer the full EMV solution (and
only 2nd in South East Asia). The entire transformation is scheduled to be completed by mid 2008. The
solution requires that the entire system (including POS, ATMs and cards) are upgraded.

While the NexusEMV card may look similar to a normal card, the technology on it and supporting it is
revolutionary. It uses an onboard computer chip instead of a magnetic strip and relies on DBBL's data
center for on the spot verification. It features built in encryption algorithms mandated by Visa and
MasterCard which are impossible to duplicate or modify. It was designed and researched by Visa and
MasterCard to be the most advanced card and eliminates the security problems of normal cards.
NexusEMV is the future card standard.
DBBL also plans to introduce its first credit cards in 2008. Naturally when DBBL introduces a product it
has to be special, distinct and a 'first and only' product. The bank has waited this long to provide
customers something unique. DBBL will be the first and only bank to offer NexusEMV credit cards.
Designed by Visa and MasterCard this card will be the most advanced credit card in the market when
launched.
Though such initiatives are not economically viable, the Bank, for safeguarding its customer's deposit and
credit facilities has decided to implement the full EMV system. NexusEMV Credit Card is a convenient
and highly secured tool used for payment of shopping / hotel / dining bills. This can also be used in ATM
safely for withdrawal of money. The credit card can be issued against Travel Quota (TQ), Residential
Foreign Currency Deposit (RFCD) or Retention Quota (RQ) and be used securely aboard for payment of
various bills and/or withdrawal of Foreign Currency.
Payment Gateway
A payment gateway is an essential part of an Online Payment System. It is necessary in order to process
all of the following inter-bank on-line transactions:
1. Account-to-account transfer transactions or debit/credit card transactions on the web for on-line
merchant payment against purchase of goods and services,
2. Inter-bank ATM/POS transactions using debit/credit cards, and
3. Inter-bank Internet or SMS banking transactions for fund transfer (instant remittance) and utility
bill payment.
Since there is no such system in Bangladesh, Dutch-Bangla Bank is actively considering to implement a
payment gateway to facilitate the above inter-bank transactions. This will be the first payment gateway
setup in the country to drive e-commerce transactions