US Dollar Investment Bond
Buying US Dollar Investment Bonds: A Comprehensive Guide for NRBs
When it comes to investments, bonds offer some of the best-secured opportunities out there. As a part of investment facilities through bonds for non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs), Bangladesh Bank offers US Dollar investment bonds (USDIB). Let's take a detailed look at who this is for, how to apply, and what are the benefits of the bond.
What is a US Dollar Investment Bond?
The US Dollar Investment Bond was first introduced in 2002 as a form of investment opportunity for the NRBs. The key goal was to maintain economic stability and increase foreign reserves by attracting dollar investments. It also provided a secure pathway for the NRBs to invest and gain from their foreign earnings.
The rules for the USDIB were later updated in 2012 where the invested principal and the interest can be repatriated in dollar or taka as per the choice of the investor.
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Who is Eligible for USDIB?
The government of Bangladesh outlined the eligibility criteria for USDIB investment as follows:
Any NRB living and working abroad earning in foreign currency.Foreign nationals of Bangladeshi origin living abroad and earning in foreign currency. Government and semi-government employees working abroad and earning in foreign currency. This includes those working in Bangladeshi missions or international organizations.
How to Buy USDIB?
The process of buying USDIB starts with opening a foreign currency account in any designated bank that operates USDIB under Bangladesh Bank. Note that the F.C. account is different from the Non-Resident Investor’s Taka Account (NITA) as the investment currency can only be US dollars in this case.
Step 1: Opening a Foreign Currency Account
Almost all the leading commercial banks (both national and private) offer USDIB under their NRB banking services. To open a foreign currency account, an NRB would require the following documents.
- Prescribed Account Opening Form - Two passport-size photographs of each of the account holder and the nominee - Authorized specimen signature card (attested by the Bangladesh Embassy in the residing country) - Proof of employment - Copy of passport (attested by the Bangladesh Embassy in the residing country)
An NRB can easily open the F.C. account in any foreign branch of the available banks or use the mail-in service to open the account in Bangladesh.
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Step 2: Document Required for USDIB
The process of applying for USDIB differs from bank to bank. Generally, the following documents are required.
- Bangladesh Bank application form for USDIB (https://fid.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/fid.portal.gov.bd/forms/4085d5c1_fd59_4be6_921d_c2c491fce6dc/investment.pdf)- Application request to invest in USDIB in the respective bank - Personal declaration form - FATCA form (for NRBs residing in the USA)
Step 3: Applying for USDIB
Once you apply for USDIB, you will need to show equivalent funds in your foreign currency account associated with the bank. The money can be deposited in the F.C. account in one of the following ways:
- Cash foreign currency deposited at an NRB branch of the bank- Traveler cheques - Regular cheques or drafts - Money order receipt - Electronic fund transfer - Once the bank completes the due diligence, it will issue bond scrips against the desired amount of bonds to be purchased.
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