United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh's inward remittance recorded a robust double-digit growth at the start of the new fiscal year 2026–27, with US$1.15 billion in the first 11 days of July, according to the latest data released by Bangladesh Bank. This marks a significant 11.6 percent monthly growth compared to the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, when the country received $1.03 billion between July 1 and July 11, 2025. The central bank's detailed breakdown indicates that the flow of foreign currency picked up pace significantly toward the end of the first week of July. In just a three-day window between July 9 and July 11, 2026, Bangladeshi expatriates sent$191 million through banking channels. Financial analysts and central bank officials attribute this strong upward trajectory to the recent stabilization of the interbank foreign exchange market and competitive exchange rates offered by commercial banks. The steady use of banking channels instead of informal networks (like Hundi) has significantly buoyed the state's incoming foreign currency receipts. The sustained surge in remittance inflows brings a much-needed sigh of relief for macroeconomic policymakers.  This steady influx is expected to provide a crucial buffer to Bangladesh's gross foreign exchange reserves and help ease the ongoing balance of payment pressures during the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

Bangladesh recorded a sharp rise in inward remittances ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with inflows increasing by 41.31 percent in the first 23 days of May 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank. Expatriate Bangladeshis sent home US$2.97 billion between May 1 and  23, significantly higher than the US$2.10 billion received during the corresponding period in May 2025. On May 23 alone, remittance inflows through banking channels stood at US$173.64 million, according to latest data of Bangladesh Bank. The latest surge has pushed the country’s total remittance earnings in the current fiscal year (FY2025–26) to a record high. From July 2025 to May 23, 2026, Bangladesh received US$32.3 billion in remittances, registering a 21.26 percent growth over the same period of the previous fiscal year. During July 2024 to May 23, 2025, the country received US$26.64 billion. Central bank officials and financial analysts attributed the strong growth to improved digital banking services, increased remittance flows ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, and competitive exchange rates offered by commercial banks. They said the continued rise in remittance inflows is providing crucial support to the country’s foreign exchange reserves and helping maintain macroeconomic stability amid ongoing global economic uncertainties.

Remittance inflows into Bangladesh have witnessed a massive surge, recording a staggering 353.3 percent growth in the first five days of April 2026. In comparison to the same period last year 2025, providing a major boost to the country’s foreign exchange reserves and macroeconomic stability. According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank, expatriate Bangladeshis sent US$540 million between April 1 and April 5. In contrast, the remittance inflow stood at only $119 million during the corresponding period in 2025. Remittance hits record $3.75b in March The data further revealed that on April 5 alone, the country received $201 million in remittances in a single day. Analysts and central bank officials attribute this ‘unusual’ growth to several factors, including a stabilized US dollar exchange rate, the rising income of expatriates in developed economies, and a steady global economic recovery. Official figures show that the cumulative remittance inflow from July to April of the current fiscal year (FY 2025-26) has reached $26.74 billion. This marks a 22.1 percent increase from the $21,904 million recorded during the same period in the previous fiscal year. Finance Ministry and Bangladesh Bank officials expressed optimism that this positive trend in expatriate income will play a crucial role in mitigating foreign exchange shortages and maintaining a stable exchange rate.

Remittance inflows to Bangladesh reached a record $3.75 billion in March, 2026, marking the highest monthly earnings since the country’s independence. According to data released by Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday, expatriate Bangladeshis sent home $3.755 billion during the month. The surge, largely driven by increased transfers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, has provided a significant boost to the country’s external financial position. According to central bank data, the March figures show a 14 percent increase compared to the same month last year. This surge is attributed to increased expatriate spending during Ramadan-Eid-Ul-Fitr and heightened tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which prompted non-resident Bangladeshis to send more funds home. Previously, the record for the highest monthly remittance was set in March last year at $3.29 billion. Other notable milestones include $3.22 billion in December 2025 and $3.17 billion in January 2026. Total remittance inflows during the July–March period of the fiscal year stood at $26.20 billion, registering a 20.3 percent growth from $21.78 billion recorded in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. Sector insiders noted that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East has led to a more favourable exchange rate for the US dollar against the local Taka, further incentivising expatriates to send money through formal channels. Despite the satisfactory inflow, economists have warned of potential shocks to the national economy if the regional conflict escalates. In a recent meeting with Bangladesh Bank, eight prominent economists advised the central bank to prioritise the preservation of foreign exchange reserves. The experts emphasised that while the full extent of the global crisis remains unclear, any prolonged conflict will inevitably put pressure on the dollar and national reserves. They cautioned against adjusting policy interest rates prematurely and suggested that initiatives to lower bank lending rates should only be considered once the current inflationary pressures subside.

Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC will provide a motorcycle through a digital raffle draw on every banking day (Sunday-Thursday) for sending cash remittance through Ria Money Transfer. Remittance recipients will also get a key ring as a common gift. This offer will continue from 19 February to 18 March, 2026, on the occasion of Holy Ramadan. Md. Omar Faruk Khan, Managing Director of the Bank, inaugurated Islami Bank- Ria Nabil Mustafizur Rahman to be appointed MD of Sammilito Islami Bank Money Transfer Remittance Fiesta, as the chief guest on Tuesday, was held at Islami Bank Tower. Dr. Emil Ruban, Managing Director & Senior Regional Director of India and South Asia, Ria Money Transfer, spoke at the event as the guest of honor. Md. Altaf Hossain, Engr. Mohammad Jamal Uddin Mazumder and Dr. M Kamal Uddin Jasim, Additional Managing Directors addressed the program as a special guest. Md. Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Managing Director Presided over the program while Standard Bank rebranded as ‘Standard Islami Bank’ Rashedul Islam Talukder, Country Manager of Ria Money Transfer, Bangladesh, also spoke at the program, and Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, head of overseas banking.

Remittance inflows to Bangladesh have seen a massive spike in February ahead of election and Ramadan, expatriates sent US $1.03 billion remittance in the first 8 days of the month. Arif Hossain Khan, spokesperson for Bangladesh Bank, told UNB on Monday, expatriates sent $1.03 billion in the first 8 days of February. In the same period of February in 2025, expatriates sent $671 million. It means remittance growth by 53.9 percent in 8 days February this year, compared to the previous (2025). Bangladesh so far in the current fiscal year FY2025-26, received $20.46 billion, which was $16.63 billion in FY 2024-25. It means remittance growth by 23 percent in 7 months of FY 2025-26. Bangladesh sees remittance surge to $2.71 billion in January

The upward trend in remittances sent by Bangladesh expatriates has continued in January, with receiving over US $1.59 billion in 13 days of the month. Bangladesh received $17.85 billion in inward remittances from July to January 13, 2026, in the current fiscal year, FY 2025-26. It was 14.7 billion in the same period of the previous FY2024-25, and saw a growth of 21.5 percent. Blessings on the remittance, the gross forex reserves of Bangladesh cross $33 billion. As per the IMF standard BPM6, the forex reserves stood at $29 billion plus. Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, confirmed that the expatriates have sent $1.59 billion in the first 13 days of January 2026, which was $926 million in the same period of January 2025. It means the remittance earnings grew by 71.8 percent in this time. The growth is attributed to several factors, including incentives offered for sending money through legal banking channels, increased encouragement for using the formal system and the active role of exchange houses. Bangladesh remittance hits record $17.17 billion in 6 months as inflow surges In FY2025-26, Bangladesh received $2.47 billion in remittances in July, $2.42 billion in August, $2.68 billion in September, $2.56 billion in October, $2.88 billion in November, and $3.22 billion in December. The data revealed that the average inward remittance flow was over $2.42 billion in the last six months. This robust flow of remittance influences Bangladeshi policymakers to discourage lending from the IMF with tough conditions.  

Bangladesh recorded a historic $17.17 billion in inward remittances during the first six months and seven days of fiscal year 2025–26, underscoring the resilience of overseas earnings and providing crucial support to the country’s foreign exchange reserves amid global trade headwinds. The inflow marks a strong year-on-year increase from the same period of FY2024–25, when remittances totalled about $14.31 billion. The latest figure represents an additional $2.86 billion, or nearly 19.9 percent growth, building on momentum from FY25, a record year in which annual remittances crossed the $30 billion threshold for the first time. Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan attributed the sustained growth to a combination of structural and policy-driven factors. Read more: Bangladesh sees $1.12bn in remittances in first 10 days of January He cited restored confidence in formal remittance channels following the political transitions in late 2024, which prompted a shift away from the illegal “hundi” system. Improved transparency and a growing sense of economic patriotism among expatriates have encouraged greater use of banking channels, he said. The stabilisation of the taka against the US dollar has also played a critical role, reducing speculative behaviour. With a market-based exchange rate now in place, remitters are no longer delaying transfers in anticipation of sudden currency depreciation. Government incentives remain another key driver, with the continued 2.5 percent cash incentive encouraging low-income migrant workers to send money through official platforms. Besides, expanded digital remittance services, including mobile financial services and fintech solutions, have made transfers faster and more accessible, particularly for workers in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Bangladesh received $2.47 billion in remittances in July, $2.42 billion in August, $2.68 billion in September, $2.56 billion in October, $2.88 billion in November, and $3.22 billion in December. The data show an average monthly inflow of more than $2.42 billion over the past six months. This strong remittance performance is influencing policymakers to reconsider borrowing from the International Monetary Fund under stringent conditions. Professor Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), told UNB that the remittance surge is offsetting recent weakness in the export sector, which showed a slight contraction in December 2025. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and local economists, robust remittance inflows are expected to be a key driver of consumption and GDP growth in 2026. As of early January 2026, Bangladesh’s gross foreign exchange reserves have benefited significantly from the inflows, standing at around $33 billion under traditional calculation, providing the government with added fiscal space to manage external debt obligations and import costs, he said. Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director and CEO of Mutual Trust Bank Limited (MTB), said confidence in the banking system has been restored, prompting expatriates to remit funds through formal channels. He noted that exchange rate stability and a normalised curb market have reduced the appeal of hundi transactions, which deprive remitters of the 2.5 percent incentive or more. Read more: Remittance inflow exceeds $632 million in first six days of December “In such a situation, sending remittance through illegal hundi is a loss for remitters,” he said. Mahbubur Rahman added that Bangladesh Bank’s policy measures have further encouraged migrant workers and non-resident Bangladeshis to send their hard-earned money through legal channels.

The remittance from Bangladeshi expatriates continued its upward momentum in January, with the country receiving more than US$1.12 billion in the first 10 days of the month. Bangladesh received $17.39 billion in inward remittances from July to January 10, 2026, in the current fiscal year, FY 2025-26. It was 14.49 billion in the same period of the previous FY2024-25, saw a growth of 20 percent. Blessings on the remittance, the gross forex reserves of Bangladesh cross $33 billion. As per the IMF standard BPM6, the forex reserves stood at $29 billion plus. Read more: Remittance inflow exceeds $632 million in first six days of December Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank (BB), said the expatriates have sent $1.12 billion in the first 10 days of January 2026, which was $7.17 million in the same period of January 2025. It means the remittance earnings grew by 57.2 percent in this time. The growth is attributed to several factors, including incentives offered for sending money through legal banking channels, increased encouragement for using the formal system, and the active role of exchange houses. In the FY2025-26, Bangladesh received $2.47 billion in remittances in July, $2.42 billion in August, $2.68 billion in September, $2.56 billion in October, $2.88 billion in November, and $3.22 billion in December. The data showed an average inward remittance of over $2.42 billion in the past six months, prompting Bangladeshi policymakers to favour remittance inflows over borrowing from the IMF with stringent conditions. Read more: Remittance fighters deserve more than just appreciation: Singer Asif Akbar

The upward trend in remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis has continued into December, with the country receiving approximately US $632 million in the first six days of the month. According to the latest update from Bangladesh Bank (BB), the $632 million remittance figure for December 1-6 is an increase of approximately $38 million compared to the same period last year. In December of the previous year (2024), the country received around $594 million in the first six days. Read more: Expats send remittance over 5m times to bKash via Pubali Bank in 10-month The growth is attributed to several factors, including incentives offered for sending money through legal banking channels, increased encouragement for using the formal system, and the active role of exchange houses. Remittance inflow has shown robust growth throughout the current fiscal year (FY 2025-26). From July 1 to December 6, 2025, the total remittance inflow reached $13.67 billion. This represents an increase of $1.939 billion compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year (FY 2024-25), when the total stood at $11.732 billion. The year-on-year growth rate for the fiscal year to date is 16.5 percent. Read more: Bangladesh losing grip on Middle East remittance lifeline!