Our History
Strengthening five decades of commitment and service, locally and globally.
Who We Are
We aim to be the preferred financial services provider for the local community and global banks.
We shall accomplish this through providing finance and correspondence services digitally to our customers, fulfilling today's needs and tomorrow's Sonali dreams. We are a UK-based Non-Banking Financial Institution. We bring responsible financial support to the local community and maintain strong links with international banks, guided by transparency and strong governance. Rooted in a vision foundational to the heritage of SBUK, we build upon time-tested experience and resilience to serve with confidence and assurance.
Our emblem represents convenience, connection, and confidence. Today, we remain committed to our networks locally and globally, sustaining relationships that span generations. Today, we carry forward more than five decades of experience, positioning SBUK for the future as we remain true to the values that define our cornerstone.
Origins
SBUK was established in 1973 as the UK branch of Sonali Bank PLC —Bangladesh's first and largest government-owned bank, committed to being the financial representation of the Bangladeshi diaspora. Since its inception, it has served as a trusted bridge between two economies, supporting cross-border trade, remittances, and community growth with structured financial stewardship.
Our Journey
SBUK’s journey is built on a heritage grounded in serving communities. What embarked as a mission to stand for the needs of the growing diaspora has now evolved into a broader purpose and wider dynamic. Across decades of disciplined progress, SBUK has continued to remain steadfast in its momentum of responsibly helping individuals and businesses with trade and corresponding banking services. This enduring commitment reflects an institution shaped by resilience, strengthened by experience, and driven by a forward-looking vision to serve with integrity and excellence.
1972- 2026
1972
Sonali Bank was established in Bangladesh following the country’s independence, becoming one of the largest state-owned commercial banks in the nation. Formed through the nationalization of existing banks, Sonali Bank was entrusted with supporting the economic reconstruction of a newly sovereign state. Its mandate was to mobilize deposits, facilitate trade, and extend credit to sectors critical to national development.
Over time, Sonali Bank became a central financial institution in Bangladesh, building correspondent banking relationships across continents. As migration increased and the Bangladeshi diaspora expanded abroad, particularly to the United Kingdom, the need for formal financial bridges between the two economies became increasingly evident.
The foundations laid in 1972 created the institutional credibility and cross-border banking relationships that would later support the establishment of a UK presence. This marked the beginning of a long-standing economic connection between Bangladesh and the UK financial system, one that continues to shape SBUK’s purpose today.
Beyond its basic mandate, Sonali Bank’s early decades were defined by the creation of trust-based international partnerships that would later become critical to cross-border finance. The institution steadily developed correspondent networks, trade settlement capabilities, and liquidity management structures that aligned with global banking standards. These formative years shaped a culture grounded in national service, disciplined financial stewardship, and cross-border connectivity.
The credibility earned during this foundational period enabled the institution to act as a financial bridge for exporters, importers, and migrant families seeking stability and reliability. By establishing strong operational frameworks and international relationships early on, Sonali Bank positioned itself not merely as a domestic lender but as a strategic enabler of economic exchange between Bangladesh and the global financial system, which built a legacy that directly informs SBUK’s mission today.
Our Headquarter
29-33 Osborn Street, London, E1 6TD, United Kingdom.
Our CEO
Masum Billah
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