United News of Bangladesh

Trading on the country’s two major stock exchanges began on a positive note on Tuesday (November 18), with key indices posting significant gains in the first hour. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX index advanced by 82 points in early trading. The Shariah-based DSES gained 19 points, while the blue-chip DS30 index rose by 26 points. Of the 346 issues traded during the first hour, prices increased for most securities: 346 advanced, 11 declined, and 13 remained unchanged. Read more: Trading of five Sharia banks halted at Bangladesh’s stock market The turnover at the DSE exceeded Tk 240 crore during the period. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw an upbeat start, with its overall index climbing 85 points. Among the 106 issues traded, 85 recorded price increases, 12 declined, and 9 remained unchanged. The turnover at the CSE crossed Tk 5 crore in the first hour of trading. Read more: DSE opens week with fresh decline

Bangladesh Bank is set to discontinue five types of customer-level services, including the sale of Savings Certificates (Sanchayapatra) and Prize Bonds, as part of a major move to modernise its operations and strengthen security at its main offices. The central bank’s Motijheel office will initially cease these services from 30 November. The decision will be rolled out gradually across its divisional offices outside Dhaka. The five services to be discontinued are: * Sale of Savings Certificates and Prize Bonds* Replacement of torn or mutilated currency notes* Government Treasury Challan (deposit) services* Providing change for challan-related transactions*Services Remain Available at Commercial Banks Bangladesh Bank emphasised that all these services will continue to be offered at commercial bank branches. The central bank will also enhance monitoring to ensure commercial banks provide these services efficiently. An awareness campaign will soon be launched to inform the public about the changes. The Ministry of Finance has already been briefed on the decision. The move follows recommendations from a committee formed after Governor Dr Ahsan H. Mansur inspected the Motijheel office’s Cash Department on 22 June and issued directives to modernise the division. A key factor in the decision is the ‘Key Point Installation (KPI) security guideline,’ which categorises Bangladesh Bank as a high-security institution. Officials said controlling public access to the premises is necessary to implement enhanced security measures. Central bank officials clarified that the decision is not a direct response to a recent server fraud incident but aligns with broader security enhancements. Currently, the Motijheel office operates 28 counters providing ten types of government and Bangladesh Bank-related services. After 30 November: Twelve counters handling the five discontinued services will close The office will no longer accept cash for Savings Certificates, Prize Bonds or government treasury challans Sixteen counters will remain open for services such as: * Exchanging metallic coins* Selling commemorative coins* Settling disputes related to non-standard currency notes* Bank-to-bank transactions The Governor has issued instructions on the future phased reduction of even these remaining services, with similar directives given to other divisional offices. Savings Certificate Scandal The decision comes after a server fraud was detected at the Motijheel office last month, resulting in the embezzlement of Tk 25 lakh in Savings Certificates. Attempts to misappropriate another Tk 50 lakh by two individuals were foiled. A case has been filed against four people at Motijheel Police Station, and multiple investigations are ongoing. The sale of Savings Certificates at Motijheel has remained suspended since the incident. Bigger Picture As of September, customers held Tk 3,40,044.5 crore in Savings Certificates, with over 30% managed through the Bangladesh Bank Motijheel office, highlighting the public’s reliance on its services due to convenience and trust. Customers will now be directed to alternative channels, including commercial banks, the Department of National Savings and post offices.

Bangladesh’s capital market opened on a positive note on Monday, with key indices of both the Dhaka and Chattogram stock exchanges edging up in the first hour of trading. At the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), the benchmark DSEX gained 35 points, while the Shariah index DSES advanced 13 points and the blue-chip DS30 rose by 8 points. Of the 311 companies traded, prices increased for 311 issues, declined for 31, and remained unchanged for 23. The turnover at DSE crossed Tk 140 crore in the first hour. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw upward momentum, with its all-share index gaining 18 points. Among 77 traded companies, prices rose for 44 issues, fell for 25, and stayed unchanged for 8. CSE recorded over Tk 5 crore in turnover during the first hour.  

In a crucial move to reshape Bangladesh’s industrial recovery, Japanese–Bangladeshi ethical fashion venture REVIVAL Group Co. Ltd. and REVIVAL Projects Ltd. have announced plans to lease and revive the long-closed BEXIMCO Textile Division. The reopening marks a powerful moment of renewal for the nation’s workforce, with more than 25,000 workers poised to regain their jobs and reclaim the stability lost when the factory was forced to shut its doors, said a media statement on Sunday. Supported by US-based financing partner Ecomilli, founded by leading Non-Resident Bangladeshi (NRB) professionals, the initiative marks one of the most significant employment restoration efforts in the country’s recent history. The reopening promises to reverse the devastating impacts felt when BEXIMCO Textile was shut down due to loan defaults after over three decades of successful operations. Huda Mohammed Faisal, CEO and Co-Founder of REVIVAL Group said, “We see this as far more than just the reopening of a factory. It is the restoration of dignity for thousands of families. Every job regained is a story of recovery and renewed confidence in the nation’s future.” Dr Farhan S Karim, President of Ecomilli, said that as a non-resident Bangladeshi, it is an honour to help revive a facility that once powered our national economy. “This isn’t about brain drain—it is about brain gain. We are proud to stand with the government of Bangladesh and REVIVAL to rebuild livelihoods and support the nation’s industrial resurgence,” he added. Osman Kaiser Chowdhury, Managing Director of Beximco Ltd., mentioned that the company had tried relentlessly to keep the textile division operational until the government-mandated shutdown. “Our primary concern was to protect the livelihoods of 42,000 workers and executives and to continue generating the nearly USD 40 million in monthly exports that sustained the business,” he said. “Despite immense financial challenges, we kept our modern machinery in running condition so the factories could restart at a moment’s notice. The revival agreement with REVIVAL now makes that possible,” he added.   Under the first phase of the partnership, REVIVAL and Ecomilli will deploy USD 20 million in back-to-back LC support, with plans to expand to USD 100 million depending on factory performance and global demand. The companies plan to resume production by December 2025, bringing back more than 25,000 workers with dignity and security. By 2027, REVIVAL projects annual profits of BDT 500 crore—revenues that will support repayment of outstanding loans and ensure long-term financial stability for the country’s largest textile brand.  

Bangladesh Bank has published the official holiday calendar for 2026, announcing a total of 28 bank closure days, outside the regular weekly holidays, for all scheduled banks. The circular, outlining the comprehensive list of holidays, was issued by Bangladesh Bank's Department off-Side Supervision and sent to the Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of all scheduled banks on Sunday. This marks an increase from the 27 holidays observed in 2025 and 24 days in 2024. The holiday calendar is dominated by major religious festivals and national commemorations. The first holiday of the year will be for Shab-e-Barat on February 4. Later that month, banks will remain closed for Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day on February 21. The longest breaks are centered around the two major Eids. Eid-ul-Fitr, a five-day closure is scheduled from March 19 to March 23, covering Juma-tul-Bida, the day before Eid, the day of Eid, and the two subsequent days. Two of these days coincide with the weekly weekend holiday. Eid-ul-Adha, banks will be closed for five days, from May 26 to May 31, a period which also includes two weekly holidays. The central bank specified that the holiday schedule is effective for all scheduled banks and is based on a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on November 9 of the current year.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur on Sunday (November 16) said a substantial portion of the capital from the country’s five troubled Shariah-based banks has been siphoned off abroad, leaving no option but to merge them to safeguard the sector. He made the remarks while speaking at the opening session of the Bangladesh Islamic Finance Summit 2025, held at a city hotel. The three-day summit aims to position Bangladesh as a key Islamic finance hub in South Asia. “Much of the capital from the five Shariah-based banks has been taken out of the country. Unfortunately, even the most dynamic Islamic bank in the country was hollowed out,” the governor said. The five banks currently undergoing the merger process are EXIM Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Union Bank, and Social Islami Bank. Read more: Compensation for small investors in merged banks under review: Central Bank Bangladesh Bank dissolved the boards of all five banks and appointed administrators on November 5, initiating the formation of a new entity named Sammilito Islami Bank (Combined Islamic Bank). Dr Mansur emphasised that transparency is essential to revitalising and strengthening the banking sector. He urged active participation from all stakeholders, including investors, depositors and employees, to ensure the success of the consolidation. If strong governance can be maintained during the merger process, the initiative will ultimately benefit the country’s economy, he added. City Bank Managing Director and CEO Mashrur Arefin attended the event as the special guest. Among others, M Kabir Hassan, professor of finance at the University of New Orleans and Dr Eskandar Shah Mohd Rashid, CEO of ISRA, also spoke at the opening ceremony. The summit brought together regulators, Shariah scholars, Islamic banking professionals, and high-level delegates from countries including Bahrain, Pakistan, Malaysia, and the United States. Discussions will focus on strengthening governance, expanding financial inclusion, and integrating AAOIFI’s global Shariah, governance and accounting standards into Bangladesh’s Islamic finance framework. Read more: BB orders strict loan data updates to bar defaulters from election race

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) started the new week with another sharp fall, after ending the previous session 122 points lower, as all key indices slipped in early trading on Sunday (November 16). In the first half of the session, the benchmark DSEX dropped 45 points, while the Shariah index (DSES) shed 11 points. The blue-chip index DS30 also fell by 18 points. The turnover at the DSE stood at Tk 130 crore in the first two hours of trading. Stocks sink on week’s last trading day; DSEX plunges 122 points Most issues were in the red, with 210 companies declining against 119 gaining, while prices of 42 issues remained unchanged. The downtrend was mirrored on the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) as well, where the overall index fell by 97 points in early trading. Turnover crossed Tk 2 crore in the first half of the session. At the CSE, 61 issues saw price declines, 15 advanced, and seven remained unchanged. Read more: Trading of five Sharia banks halted at Bangladesh’s stock market

Bangladesh Bank has ordered all scheduled banks to promptly update loan repayment data as prospective MP candidates, many of them business and political figures, scramble to clear defaults and overdue installments to remain eligible for the national polls. Managing directors of various banks, non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), and Bangladesh Bank officials said they are receiving a surge in applications for loan regularisation. In response, the Credit Information Bureau (CIB) of Bangladesh Bank (BB) has issued a strict directive to all banks and financial institutions nationwide, ordering rapid updates of loan-related data to confirm the financial eligibility of potential candidates. Bangladesh Bank eases SME loan rules for refinance fund amid rising defaults Bangladesh Bank officials said on Saturday that even if a borrower secures a stay order from a court, financial institutions must report the accurate status of the loan to the CIB without any alteration. The central bank emphasised that there will be no scope to conceal information or offer ‘arbitrary’ concessions. A special meeting was held on October 29 with CIB representatives from all banks and NBFIs, where institutions were informed of the government’s firm instruction to complete loan data updates before the election to ensure no loan defaulter can contest. “The Bangladesh Bank has made it clear that the government will not allow any loan defaulter to become a candidate in the upcoming election,” said a CIB official. Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, said the central bank is updating customers’ loan statuses as per government instructions. He added that providing updated credit information to Bangladesh Bank is a routine responsibility of banks. Govt may compensate investors in 5-bank merger: Bangladesh Bank The central bank has also directed all institutions to strictly follow existing rules concerning borrowers attempting to reschedule long-overdue defaulted loans ahead of the election. No exceptions, special privileges, or rule violations will be permitted for rescheduling. All financial institutions, particularly those yet to submit their default data to the CIB, have been ordered to do so immediately. Updated reports detailing the full status of all new and ongoing loans, based on month-end outstanding balances, are mandatory. Banks have been specifically instructed to update the following information: Accounts of ongoing and settled loans, along with accurate balances and classification status, Maturity dates and overdue balances, Number and value of defaulted instalments, and details of installment payments or recoveries. To ensure round-the-clock verification of loan information for potential candidates, Bangladesh Bank has directed every bank branch to appoint a dedicated officer. Their names and mobile numbers must be submitted to the central bank. Bangladesh Bank directs MFS providers to halt online gambling transactions Electoral law clearly states that a candidate will be disqualified if their bank loan status is not classified as ‘regular’ up to seven days before the submission of nomination papers. Officials concerned believe this rigorous initiative by Bangladesh Bank will play a decisive role in preventing loan defaulters from securing nominations ahead of the election.

Onion prices in the capital’s retail markets have remained almost unchanged for a week, still selling at Tk 110–115 per kg, while hilsa has become increasingly unaffordable, with prices rising by up to Tk 500 per kg in just seven days. A visit to several wholesale and retail markets in on Friday showed that although the price of a 5-kg sack of onions has fallen slightly—from Tk 520 to Tk 500–510—the decline has not yet reflected on retail sales. Vendors said the price is unlikely to come down until new-season onions arrive in the market. The stocks of old onions are nearly exhausted and supplies at wholesale hubs are limited. Shariful Haque, a wholesaler at Uttar Badda onion market, said a maund (40 kg) of onions costs between Tk 3,600 and Tk 4,000, keeping the wholesale per-kg rate close to Tk 100. Meanwhile, hilsa prices have soared significantly over the past week. Retail prices have jumped by Tk 500–600 per kg, depending on size. Govt may allow onion imports if prices remain high this week In Rampura market, 600–800g hilsa is selling for Tk 1,200–1,600, up from Tk 800–1,000 last week. One-kg fish now cost Tk 3,000–3,200, compared to Tk 2,200–2,500 earlier.  Hilsa weighing over one kg has shot up to Tk 4,500–4,800 per piece, from Tk 3,500–3,800 last week. Imon, a hilsa seller at Rampura market, said supply at the wholesale level has dropped sharply.  “We aren’t getting fish like before, which pushed up the prices,” he added. Buyers expressed frustration over the surge. “If a single hilsa costs more than Tk 5,000, how can people afford to buy it?” said shopper Sanzid Hossain. “Not just hilsa—every fish price has gone up.” Across markets, rui, katla, and kalibaush are selling for Tk 380–450 per kg; shol for Tk 800–1,500 depending on size; poa for Tk 600–1,000; shing and magur for Tk 600–800; and tilapia for Tk 300–350. Vegetable prices have also increased, particularly for newly arrived winter produce.  Onion prices skyrocket in Dhaka; from Tk 70 to Tk 120 per kg Tomatoes are selling for Tk 120–150 per kg, cucumbers for Tk 80–120, and carrots for Tk 120–160. Eggplant costs Tk 100–120 per kg, barbatti Tk 80–120, and pointed gourd Tk 60–80. The prices of most vegetables have risen by Tk 20–50 per kg. Lemon supply has declined, with a large-sized set of four selling for Tk 50. Green chili prices have also surged from Tk 120–140 per kg last week to Tk 160–190 this week. Wholesalers said fewer trucks entered the markets on Thursday, disrupting supply chains and causing an immediate price spike in Friday’s market.

The government has announced its plan to pursue legal proceedings against those responsible for pushing five Shariah-based banks into financial distress, as authorities move forward with their merger to stabilise the sector. The Financial Division of the Ministry of Finance sent a letter recently to the Financial Institutions Division (FID) of the same ministry regarding the matter. The banks in question are First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank (SIBL), EXIM Bank, Global Islami Bank and Union Bank. The letter instructs the FID to identify those accountable for the banks' troubles, including owners, members of the board of directors, relevant officials and loan defaulters, and to take legal action against them for overall mismanagement. Besides, the letter mandates the rapid recovery of the massive volume of non-performing loans (NPLs), investments, and assets of the five banks. The Financial Division's letter requests the FID to formally ask the Bangladesh Bank (BB) to take the necessary legal measures against the responsible parties. Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson for the Bangladesh Bank, told UNB that the central bank has already taken some initial steps and will take further necessary action upon receiving the formal request from the Financial Institutions Division. The five banks are being merged to form a new entity, the 'Sammilito Islami Bank' (United Islami Bank), which will be the country's largest bank. The new bank's paid-up capital will be Taka 35,000 crore, with the government contributing Tk 20,000 crore, and the remaining Tk 15,000 crore being converted from depositors' money into equity shares. FID Secretary Nazma Mobarek has been selected as the Chairperson of this new bank. The five banks hold deposits totalling Tk142,000 crore from 75 lakh depositors, against a combined loan portfolio of Tk 193,000 crore. More importantly, a staggering Tk147,000 crore, or 76 percent, of this portfolio is classified as non-performing. The non-performing loan situation is particularly dire: Union Bank has the highest NPL rate at 98 percent, followed by First Security Islami Bank at 97 percent, Global Islami Bank at 95 percent, SIBL at 62.30 percent, and EXIM Bank at 48.20 percent. Collectively, these banks operate 760 branches, 698 sub-branches, 511 agent banking outlets and 975 ATM booths nationwide.