AM Nurul Islam Anu, vice chairman of Bank Asia, passed away at United Hospital in the capital's Gulshan yesterday. He was 78.

He left behind two sons, said a press release.

Anu, of Munshiganj, started his career as a teacher of Dhaka University in 1961. Later, he joined Pakistan Civil Service in 1963.

He also held important assignments, including private secretary to former Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

He also worked as an economic diplomat in Washington DC, it added.

He was a director of National Bank Ltd and acted as the chairman of its audit committee. Anu was a well-known columnist too.

The board of directors and the management of Bank Asia condoled the death and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.