State-run Bangladesh Development Bank is set to merge with Sonali Bank, while Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank will be taken over by Bangladesh Krishi Bank as part of disciplining the banking sector.

The move follows the merger decision of private sector Padma Bank with Exim Bank.

The primary decision of latest merger of banks was taken at a meeting between Bangladesh Bank governor Abdur Rouf Talukder and the managing directors of the respective banks at the BB headquarters on Wednesday.

A deal will be signed on April 8 between Bangladesh Krishi Bank and Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank at the BB in this regard.

Md Shawkat Ali Khan, managing director of the BKB, told the UNB that the central bank called a meeting with the chairmen of both banks and discussed the overall situation of the banks.

On the merger of state-owned banks, on behalf of the government the BB will take a final decision regarding the merger issue, he said.

However, the BB official confirmed that a deal signing between BKB and RAKUB is scheduled to be held on April 8.

The government took the decision in principle to merge BDBL with Sonali Bank. But it will take some time to reach a deal between Sonali Bank and the BDBL, said an official of the BB.